Thriving in…
Elkhart County
2 Hour
drive to
CHICAGO
Quality of Life
Elkhart County Offers Exceptional Work, Live, Play Balance. Elkhart County is a safe and family-friendly community affording a leisurely lifestyle within easy access of large metropolitan populations within a couple of hours.
Chicago, Indianapolis and Lake Michigan are all just a short drive away for a range of activities from shopping and dining, to watching Nascar racing or swimming at the Indiana Dunes. Many local colleges and universities add zest to the lifestyle and culture of our region. Elkhart County is a great location for business and family.
Just 2 hours from Chicago
The quality of life in Elkhart County is one of its main attractions for businesses and their employees and managers. Located within 2 hours of Chicago, Elkhart County offers a vibrant live-work community without the hassle of big city living, and close proximity to the I-80/90 interstate provides easy access to a range of nearby amenities. The county features magnificent homes, with large sites or river views, and the cost of living is much more affordable than in other parts of the country.
All-in-all, Elkhart County offers an accessible, more affordable and diverse background for your daily life with a variety of activities for every season.
A wide range of recreational activities for every season are easily accessible from Elkhart County — from snow skiing in the winter to water skiing in the summer!
Seasonal
Recreation
Arts, Culture &
Entertainment
Culture and arts are an integral part of community throughout Elkhart County, offering the ideal setting for developing and working artists of all mediums.
Elkhart County is an ideal destination for shopping, from high-end boutiques to antique and craft selections. You can find it all here!
Local Shopping
& Retail
Convenient Access
to Nature
For the sportsman and nature-lover, Elkhart County is lake, river and forest country — filled with parks, preserves and many opportunities for enjoying the great outdoors
Our Communities (cities and towns)
The Town of Bristol
Bristol offers indoor and outdoor entertainment for your entire family. A wide variety of outdoor activities are available, from riverside charm, waterfront parks, kayaking on the St Joseph River to the hiking trails. For a slower pace try the Elkhart Civic Theatre/Bristol Opera House, the Elkhart County Historical Museum, the Bristol Hills Storytelling Festival or Bonneville Heritage Day. Don’t forget to buy fresh ground cornmeal from Bonneville Mill. Meet Percy the local ghost. The town of Bristol offers something for everyone!
Learn more at https://bristolindiana.org/
The City of Elkhart
Elkhart is continuing its revitalization of the Downtown area and has already created a symphony of arts and cultural activities available at your fingertips. See a show at the magnificently restored Lerner Theatre, explore Downtown at the quarterly ArtWalks, enjoy Riverwalk Culture Trail walking tours, peruse the Midwest Museum of Art, stroll through Wellfield Botanic Gardens, or the National New York Central Railroad Museum — Elkhart offers many options for premium entertainment! Visit the restored historical mansion of Ruthmere, a 1910 House Museum, for a look at what live was like in historic Elkhart. A wide array of delightful cultural and recreational activities are available throughout Elkhart. Attend our renowned annual Elkhart Jazz Festival, the Municipal Band Concerts at McNaughton Park, and hear the Elkhart County Symphony. And don’t forget to stop by the RV Hall of Fame to see how Elkhart became the RV capital of the world!
Learn more at www.elkhart.org, www.elkhartcountyindiana.com or http://dodowntownelkhart.com
The City of Goshen
Goshen is our beautiful County Seat. The downtown area features a thriving cultural arts scene, and boasts interesting places to eat and shop, as well as monthly festivals such as First Fridays. Visit the Artisan Market, Goshen Brewing Company, Goshen Theater, or the Old Bag Factory for specialty shopping, and the downtown artisan’s shops. See the Northern Indiana Heritage Trail, or stop by Goshen College for music and entertaining events. And enjoy the beautiful architecture while you are there.
Learn more at www.goshenindiana.org, www.goodofgoshen.com, www.cityonthego.org or www.goshen.org
The Town of Middlebury
Middlebury is known as being “Grown from Tradition” as the first settlers arrived in Middlebury in 1832. A strong Amish and Mennonite community still exists today — beautifully handmade goods and organic foods grown locally are premium offerings while shopping Middlebury. Be sure to include stops at the Village Inn Restaurant, Das Dutchman Essenhaus Restaurant and the Village Shops, and then attend the seasonal festivals such as Third Fridays and Cinnamon Stick Shopping. Watch the Lehman family make noodles, shop the Amish Way at Gohn Brothers Dry Goods Emporium, and appreciate the lovely traditions of the community.
Learn more at www.middleburyin.com or www.middleburyinchamber.com
The Town of Millersburg
Millersburg states it is the town teenagers vow to leave yet always return to raise their families. The town was established in 1855 as Cook’s Station (the town depot) and later changed to Millersburg. Boasting a local B & B, as well as everything else you need to live comfortably, Millersburg residents find it the “perfect quiet town in which to live.”
The City of Nappanee
Nappanee deserves a quiet meander to best view their architecture, restored murals and many shops. Visit the Amish Acres Wine Tasting Loft, Veni’s Sweet Shop, Weaver Furniture Barn, Amish Acres Restaurant Barn and the Round Barn Theatre, Quilt Shops, and the Dutch Village Market. And even more shopping is offered by rural retailers. Over 3,500 old order Amish live in this area – just look for the beautiful, unornamented white farmhouses and gorgeous flower gardens. And don’t miss more of the Elkhart County Quilt Gardens along Heritage Trail!
Learn more at www.nappanee.org, www.nappaneechamber.com or www.visitnappanee.com
The Town of New Paris
New Paris offers a cost of living at 12.20% lower than the national average according to Sperling’s Best Places to Live. Sperling’s also ranks New Paris as number 61 of America’s Best Cities for Crime, and number 91 as America’s Least Stressful Cities to Live. New Paris is a small community that can boast tree-lined streets, historic buildings, and lovely neighborhoods. On Fridays during the warmer months, New Paris offers “2nd Friday” events that range from Fishing Contests to a Garden Tractor Pull, as well as music, entertainment, children’s activities and “Games of Skill”. Don’t miss the action in this lovely place to live.
The Town of Wakarusa
Boasting a single stoplight, Wakarusa offers a wholesome environment of family-owned businesses and shops, an Antique Mall and Historical Museum as well as hardware, sweets at the local Dime Store and a spring Annual Maple Syrup Festival. Be sure not to miss the Memorial Butterfly Garden, June Bluegrass Festival or to enjoy a home cooked meal at one of several local restaurants.
Learn more at www.townofwakarusa.com
Elkhart County’s
cost of living is only
93%
of the National Average.
Community Services
Housing & Real Estate
Elkhart County real estate has rebounded since the recession of 2008/2009. We have a variety of neighborhoods, sub-divisions, waterfront real estate, country and historic homes for you to see. If you prefer to choose land or acreage and build your home, we have builders galore.
Check the following websites to see what’s available in our cities and towns today!
Elkhart County Real Estate:
www.realtor.com
www.homes.com/for-sale/elkhart-county-in
www.zillow.com/elkhart-county-in
Elkhart County Board of Realtors: www.ecbor.com
Healthcare
Beacon Health Systems, Elkhart General Hospital
600 East Blvd, Elkhart
574.523.3161
https://locations.beaconhealthsystem.org/in/elkhart/elkhart-general-hospital
Elkhart County Health Department, State of Indiana
608 Oakland Avenue, Elkhart
574.523.2117
https://health.elkhartcounty.com/en/
Goshen Health Hospital
200 High Park Ave, Goshen
574.533.2141
https://goshenhealth.com/
Maple City Health Care Center
213 Middlebury St, Goshen
574.534.3300
www.mchcc.com
Heart City Health Center
236 Simpson Ave, Elkhart
574.293.0052
www.heartcityhealth.org
Senior Living
Eastlake Terrace
3109 E Bristol St, Elkhart
https://brentwoodatelkhartassistedliving.com/
Greencroft
1721 Greencroft Blvd, Goshen
www.greencroft.org
Heritage House (Miller’s)
1700 Waterfall Dr, Nappanee
www.millersseniorliving.com
Hubbard Hill Estates
28070 County Rd 24, Elkhart
www.hubbardhill.org
Waterford Crossing
1212 Waterford Circle, Goshen
https://trilogyhs.com/
Services for the Disabled
Learn more about the Association for the Disabled of Elkhart County (ADEC):
Resources for Independence at www.adecinc.com
7
PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
systems
more than
50
PRIVATE
SCHOOLS
within the county
Education
| School District |
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
|
Baugo Community Schools The Baugo Community Schools provide a support system to meet the needs of students. Their mission is to develop a competitive educational system that prepares graduates for college, careers and life. The Baugo Community School district is comprised of four main schools. There is an elementary, intermediate, junior high and a high school. There are approximately 1,900 students that attend this school district.
|
B |
B | B |
|
Concord Community Schools At Concord Community Schools, they believe in growing great leaders and preparing all students for success. This district is comprised of seven schools. There are four elementary, one intermediate, one junior high and one high school. There are approximately 5,300 students that attend this school district.
|
B | C | C |
|
Elkhart Community Schools The Elkhart Community Schools has a district-wide program that encourages personal responsibility and development of life characteristcs (PRIDE) for all students to learn early during their time at the district. The Elkhart Community Schools are comprised of 13 elementary schools, three middle schools, one high school, and a career center for high school students. Between all 18 facilities they serve approximately 11,000 students attending. Additionally, Elkhart Community Schools serves the youngest students through the PACE, TAPP, and Head Start programs.
|
C | C | C |
|
Fairfield Community Schools www.fairfield.k12.in.us At Fairfield Community Schools, their vision is to create a learning environment that drives success. The Fairfield Community Schools are comprised of two elementary schools, one elementary/middle school and one junior/senior high school. This district has over 2,100 students attending.
|
B | B | B |
|
Goshen Community Schools At the Goshen Community Schools, their mission is to nurture students with high abilities by inspiring their innovative thinking, empowering them to reach their potential, and enabling them to enrich our work with their unique abilities. This school district is comprised of nine schools, seven elementary, one middle school and one high school and has approximately 6,300 students attending.
|
C | B | B |
|
Middlebury Community Schools Under the Middlebury Community Schools it should read: The Middlebury Community Schools provides a unique environment with a blend of traditional values and progressive education. Their school district is comprised of four elementary schools, an intermediate school, a middle school and a high school. They currently have approximately 4,300 students attending.
|
B | B | B |
|
Wa-Nee Community Schools (Wakarusa & Nappanee) At Wa-Nee Community Schools, they prepare the students to be adaptable individuals with the life and educational skills necessary to become responible and ethical citizens. They are “preparing their students for tomorrow’s challenges and to become our next generation of leaders”. This school district is comprised of five schools, three elementary, one middle, and one high school. They currently have over 2,800 students attending. |
A | A | A |
Higher Education
within 50 miles of Elkhart County
35
COLLEGES &
UNIVERSITIES
within an
hour’s drive
Institutions offering
Associate (2 Year) Degrees
Ivy Tech Community College
Elkhart, Gary, South Bend IN
Southwestern Michigan College
Dowagiac, MI
Ancilla College
Plymouth, IN
Lake Michigan College
Benton Harbor, MI
Glen Oaks Community College
Centreville, MI
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MI
Institutions offering
Undergraduate (4 Year) Degrees
Goshen College
Goshen, IN
Indiana University
Elkhart, South Bend, Fort Wayne IN
St Mary’s College
South Bend, IN
University of Notre Dame
South Bend, IN
Holy Cross College
South Bend, IN
Bethel College
Mishawaka, IN
Trine University
Angola, IN
Huntington University
Huntington, IN
Manchester College
North Manchester, IN
Purdue Polytechnic
South Bend
Purdue University Northwest – Hammond & Westville, IN
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN
Calumet College of St. Joseph
Whiting, IN
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI
Other Educational Resources
Ethos Science Center
Elkhart, IN
Horizon Educational Alliance
Elkhart, IN
650+
Lakes and bodies of water
in the area
Culture & Recreation
Elkhart County Offers Exceptional Work, Live, Play Balance. Elkhart County is a safe and family-friendly community affording a leisurely lifestyle within easy access of large metropolitan populations within a couple hours.
With over 650 lakes in the immediate area surrounding our county, water sports, fishing and boating are prime activities during warm weather months. During the winter, sports like downhill skiing, snowmobiling and ice-fishing take over. The area is surrounded by original vintners and wineries in both Michigan and Indiana, world-renowned museums and the unique cultural offerings of the local Amish population.
Museums & Cultural Activities
Local Wineries & Breweries
Excellent Golf
Entertainment
BEautiful River & Lake Country
Proximity to nearby cities
Outdoor Recreation
Amish
Craftsman Quality
Moving Guide & Checklist
Download here
Accompanying Families
The Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County is also dedicated to providing support for trailing spouses and families. Relocating to a new city can be a strenuous process, but our goal is to ease your transition and provide information for spouses and families relocating to the Elkhart County area. While employers may provide relocation assistance that includes job search services for trailing spouses and/or families members, it is also helpful to do your own research and familiarize yourself with the employment market of the city you’re moving to. Below we have provided helpful links to familiarize trailing spouses with local job search ideas, as well as online resources. As many experience when they relocate here, Elkhart County is a welcoming community with a wide variety of opportunities.
Tourism
Indiana is home to the median center of the U.S. population. 70% of the nation’s population is within a day’s drive.
Attractions include natural and navigable waterways, theatre productions, parks and recreation, dining establishments, indoor shooting ranges, local botanical gardens, museums — all within Elkhart County! College football and basketball games at the University of Notre Dame are within a half-hour drive. From Shakespeare plays to musical productions, the creative offerings of Elkhart County provide a vibrant culture and unforgettable memories for client visits and personal leisure. Home-cooked Amish meals and hospitality reinforce the wholesomeness of Elkhart County.
