Is Kendallville Safe, Pros and cons of living in Kendallville

Kendallville, Indiana, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and practical amenities, making it a noteworthy option for those considering a relocation. Nestled in Noble County, this community provides a distinct lifestyle that balances affordability with a sense of belonging. Understanding the various facets of life in Kendallville is key for anyone contemplating a move to this Midwestern city.

The city’s appeal lies in its approachable cost of living, its accessible housing market, and its community-focused atmosphere. From its local economy to its natural surroundings, Kendallville presents a comprehensive picture for potential residents. This guide aims to provide an in-depth look at what life is like in Kendallville, covering essential aspects such as safety, financial considerations, employment, education, and the general environment.

Is it Safe to Live in Kendallville?

Kendallville’s crime rate is a significant consideration for potential residents. The city experiences a crime rate of approximately 22.45 per 1,000 residents annually (as reported by AreaVibes). While this rate is comparable to the average for U.S. cities, it’s important to note that Kendallville’s violent crime rate is higher than the national average (as reported by FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data). Specifically, the violent crime rate is 205.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 191% higher than the national average (as reported by FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data). Property crime in Kendallville is also slightly above the national average, with a rate of 703.9 per 100,000 residents (as reported by FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data).

Despite these statistics, residents generally perceive the southeast part of the city as the safest area (as reported by AreaVibes). The chance of being a victim of crime varies by neighborhood, ranging from 1 in 35 in central neighborhoods to 1 in 63 in the southeast (as reported by AreaVibes). The total projected cost of crime in Kendallville for 2025 is estimated at $4,843,864, translating to about $327 per resident (as reported by AreaVibes).

Housing and Cost of Living

Kendallville presents a compelling case for affordability, particularly concerning housing costs. The median home value in Kendallville is approximately $119,800, which is significantly lower than the national average of $281,900 (as reported by Kurby AI). This affordability extends to rental properties, with the median rent in Kendallville averaging around $640 per month, a figure that is 61% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). These housing costs contribute to Kendallville being 13% less expensive than the national average overall (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).

The broader cost of living in Kendallville is also favorable, being 5% lower than the U.S. national average and 43% lower than Indiana’s state average (as reported by Salary.com). This includes more affordable costs for food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities compared to the national averages (as reported by Salary.com). For a single person, estimated monthly living expenses, excluding mortgage and rent, are around $1,439, while for a family of four, it’s approximately $5,169 (as reported by doxo and Salary.com).

Median Home Prices and Rent

The median listing price for homes in Kendallville is around $229,500, with home prices showing a year-over-year growth of 1.98% (as reported by Realtor.com). This indicates a steady appreciation in the housing market, making it a potentially favorable environment for sellers. The median rent in Kendallville is approximately $1,200 per month, providing affordable options for renters (as reported by Realtor.com). However, other sources indicate a median rent of $640 per month (as reported by Apartments.com) and an average rent of $915 across all property types (as reported by Zillow).

For renters, a single-bedroom apartment averages about $640 per month, while a two-bedroom apartment can be around $1,041 (as reported by Apartments.com). To live comfortably with these rental prices, a monthly income of approximately $2,133, or $25,596 annually, is suggested, adhering to the guideline of spending no more than 30% of income on rent (as reported by Apartments.com).

Overall Cost of Living Index

Kendallville’s cost of living index is rated at 86, with the national average being 100 (as reported by AreaVibes). This score is influenced by various expense categories, with housing being particularly affordable at 59, significantly below the national average of 100 (as reported by AreaVibes). Groceries, healthcare, transportation, utilities, lifestyle, household items, and education are all at or near the national average, contributing to the overall affordability. This makes Kendallville an attractive option for individuals and families looking to manage their expenses effectively.

Job Market and Economy

Kendallville’s economy is primarily driven by manufacturing, with this sector employing approximately 8,862 residents (as reported by Data USA). Other significant employment sectors include retail trade and health care and social assistance (as reported by Data USA). The most common job groups among Kendallville residents are in production occupations, followed by office and administrative support, and management (as reported by Data USA).

The average annual salary in Kendallville is reported to be around $48,071, equating to about $23.11 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, other sources cite an average annual salary of $61,524 (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute) and an average annual pay of $73,328 for City of Kendallville Indiana employees (as reported by doxo). The median household income in Kendallville is approximately $58,939 (as reported by Census Reporter and Data USA).

Major Employers

Key employers in the Kendallville area contribute significantly to the local job market. While specific company names and their employee counts are not consistently detailed across all sources, the dominance of the manufacturing sector suggests a strong presence of industrial companies. Other sectors like retail trade and healthcare also provide substantial employment opportunities within the community.

Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate in Kendallville is reported at 4.5% (as reported by Census Reporter). This figure is lower than the national average unemployment rate of 5.2% (as reported by Census Reporter). This suggests a relatively stable job market for residents within the city.

Demographics and Diversity

Kendallville’s population is predominantly White, making up approximately 87.35% of the residents (as reported by Data USA). Hispanic or Latino individuals constitute about 8.96% of the population, with smaller percentages identifying as Asian, belonging to two or more races, or other racial categories (as reported by Data USA). The city’s foreign-born population is around 9.69%, which is comparable to the national average (as reported by Data USA).

The median age in Kendallville is 37.6 years, with a slightly higher proportion of females to males (as reported by Data USA). The city’s population is growing at a modest rate of 0.14% annually (as reported by Data USA). In terms of citizenship, 93.8% of Kendallville residents are U.S. citizens, which is slightly higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA).

Population Statistics

As of recent estimates, Kendallville has a population of approximately 10,354, with a projected population of 11,102 for 2026 (as reported by Data USA and Census.gov). The city is experiencing steady growth, with its population increasing by 0.83% since the most recent census (as reported by Data USA). Kendallville is the 82nd most populated city in Indiana out of 957 cities (as reported by Census.gov).

Racial and Ethnic Makeup

The racial composition of Kendallville is primarily White (87.35%), followed by Hispanic (8.96%), and then smaller percentages of Asian, two or more races, Black or African American, and Native American populations (as reported by Data USA). Since the 2020 Census, Kendallville has become more racially diverse, with its Hispanic population growing significantly (as reported by Census Dots). However, it is considerably less diverse than Indiana overall (as reported by Census Dots).

Climate and Weather

Kendallville experiences distinct seasonal weather patterns. Temperatures typically range from 16°F in the winter to 83°F in the summer (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The city receives an average annual precipitation of 38 inches, with about 34 inches of snowfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The humidity levels in the summer are generally comfortable, contributing to a pleasant environment (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The warmest month in Kendallville is July, with average highs around 82°F and lows of 61°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Conversely, January is the coldest month, with average highs near 31°F and lows of 17°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The period from May to September is generally considered the best time to visit, with comfortable weather conditions (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Average Temperatures and Rainfall

Throughout the year, average high temperatures in Kendallville hover around 60.3°F, with average lows at 40.5°F (as reported by Western Regional Climate Center). The city experiences significant seasonal variation, with average monthly rainfall peaking in June at 3.5 inches and reaching its lowest in February at 1.0 inch (as reported by Plantmaps). The chance of a wet day is higher from late March to early October, with June having the most days with precipitation (as reported by Weather Spark).

Education and Schools

Kendallville is served by the East Noble School Corporation, which includes several public schools. The district has a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 and educates approximately 3,373 students (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that 33% of students are proficient in math and 33% in reading (as reported by Niche).

The top-ranked public schools in Kendallville include Wayne Center Elementary School, East Noble High School, and North Side Elementary School (as reported by Niche). East Noble High School, in particular, serves 999 students in grades 9-12 and has a B- rating on Niche (as reported by Niche and Homes.com). While the school has shown fluctuations in academic performance, it consistently ranks highly for its support of Hispanic and English Language Learner students (as reported by SchoolDigger).

School District Performance

The East Noble School Corporation holds an above-average rating of 3.93 out of 5 on Niche, earning a B grade (as reported by Niche). While the district’s overall performance is considered good, state test scores show that proficiency in math and reading is around 33% for the district (as reported by Niche). However, the district’s four-year graduation rate for East Noble High School has been stable, generally on par with or slightly above the state average (as reported by SchoolDigger).

Major Employers and Job Growth

The economic landscape of Kendallville is characterized by a strong manufacturing base, which is the largest employment sector, supporting 8,862 jobs (as reported by Data USA). This sector’s prominence suggests a robust industrial presence within the city. Other key sectors contributing to employment include retail trade and health care and social assistance, indicating a diversified job market (as reported by Data USA).

Employment in Kendallville has seen a slight decline, with a decrease of 0.988% from 2023 to 2024, resulting in approximately 22,700 employed residents (as reported by Data USA). Despite this minor dip, the city’s unemployment rate remains competitive at 4.5%, which is lower than the national average (as reported by Census Reporter). The average commute time for residents is 26.1 minutes, with most individuals driving alone to work (as reported by Data USA).

Climate and Environmental Factors

Kendallville’s climate is characterized by warm summers and cold, snowy winters, with partly cloudy conditions prevalent throughout the year (as reported by Weather Spark). The temperature typically fluctuates between 18°F and 83°F, with rare extremes outside this range (as reported by Weather Spark). The city experiences significant seasonal variations in precipitation, with June being the wettest month and February the driest (as reported by Weather Spark).

The warm season extends from late May to mid-September, with average daily high temperatures exceeding 72°F, and July being the hottest month (as reported by Weather Spark). The cold season lasts from late November to early March, with average daily high temperatures below 42°F, and January being the coldest month (as reported by Weather Spark). The city’s climate risk is noted as relatively high (as reported by Kurby AI).

Demographics and Community Profile

Kendallville’s population is approximately 10,326, with a median age of 37.6 years (as reported by Census Reporter). The community is predominantly White, accounting for about 86% of the population, followed by Hispanic residents at 9% and smaller percentages for other racial and ethnic groups (as reported by Census Dots). The median household income in Kendallville is $58,939, with a poverty rate of 12.38% (as reported by Data USA).

The city’s foreign-born population is around 8.7%, which is lower than the national average (as reported by Census Reporter). Gender distribution is nearly even, with a slight majority of females (as reported by Census Reporter). Kendallville is characterized by a strong sense of community, often described as having a close-knit feel where neighbors know each other and the pace of life allows for genuine connection (as reported by Kurby AI).

Age and Gender Distribution

The median age in Kendallville is 37.6 years, with males averaging 35.5 years and females averaging 39.7 years (as reported by Data USA). The population distribution shows 6.2% under the age of 5, 16.0% between 5 and 17, 9.8% between 18 and 24, 23.4% between 35 and 54, 14.2% between 55 and 64, and 18.4% over 65 years of age (as reported by Census Reporter). The gender split is nearly equal, with 50.4% male and 49.6% female (as reported by Census Reporter).

Racial and Ethnic Diversity

Kendallville’s population is predominantly White, comprising about 86% of residents (as reported by Census Dots). Hispanic individuals make up approximately 9% of the population, followed by Multiracial (2.9%), Asian (1.7%), Black (0.2%), and Native American/Other (0.2%) populations (as reported by Census Dots). While Kendallville has become more racially diverse since 2020, its overall diversity is lower compared to the state of Indiana (as reported by Census Dots).