Plainfield Indiana
The Shops at Perry Crossing, Splash Island, Hummel Park, Vandalia Trail
Living in Plainfield
Don’t let the name fool you! Plainfield is anything but, with its small-town feel, friendly people, and acres of natural trails and parks. Located a short drive from Indianapolis, the town was settled in 1839 – and that rich history can be seen everywhere – from classic houses to the town square. Plainfield’s housing market is competitive, but affordable, with listings from $435,000 to $492,000. The area’s schools are part of the Plainfield Community School Corporation, with some of the areas extending into the Avon Community School Corporation.
At a Glance
Types of Homes
There’s a wide range of home types in Plainfield, with styles that fit your tastes. Multiple new construction developments feature single-family homes with plenty of space. Cottage style homes and two-story layouts are the norm and fall within the $350,000 to $550,000 price range.
Ridgeline Estates features semi-custom homes and was built in the 1980s to 1990s. These brick and wood houses are set on large lots featuring mature trees. Homes in this area usually include basements and third-car garages.
There are also historic homes located roughly in the Main Street corridor. Well maintained and close to downtown, these unique structures are perfect for anyone looking for something out of the ordinary.
Finally, affordable townhomes and condominiums are available for purchase and feature multiple conveniences and require very little maintenance. Roomy and priced in the $300,000 range, makes it an budget-friendly option.
Price Range and Market Trends
Plainfield’s housing market can be considered competitive, especially homes with proximity to the most popular parks and trails.
Part of Plainfield’s appeal is its proximity to Indianapolis, making for quick and easy commutes and the chance to enjoy the museums, sports events, dining, and other amenities associated with Indy.
Outdoors
Green Spaces
Plainfield has plenty to offer to outdoor enthusiasts – including parks, trails, and water attractions. Plainfield has what’s known as linear parks, which incorporates multiple facilities into one system that allows for maximum enjoyment of the entire area, including White Lick Creek.
Some of the more popular parks and trails include:
- Hummel Park
- Richard A. Carlucci Recreation and Aquatic Center
- Friendship Gardens
- Anderson Park
- Franklin Park
- Echo Hollow Nature Park
- Swinford Park
Hummel Park
Considered the crown jewel of the area, this is a 204-acre park that contains a vast array of trails, playgrounds, a splash pad, and an amphitheater for live music. In the winter the park is a hub for sled riding and other seasonal pastimes. The playground has an ADA-accessible Storywalk and has been designed to accommodate children with disabilities.
The park also features the Charleston Pavilion which was recently built as a place for wedding, family reunions, and company picnics. The space covers 4,500 square feet and is enhanced with a decorative stone wall and wood beams creating a spacious, curved ceiling.
Richard A. Carlucci Recreation and Aquatic Center
When the summer heats up and you’re looking for a place to cool off with your family, the Richard A. Carlucci Recreation and Aquatic Center is the place to be! Play, exercise, or cool off at Splash Island. This facility includes waterslides, a splash pad, cabana rentals, and a gentle winding river for the ultimate in relaxation.
Friendship Park Conservatory
This lush location provides a gentle and relaxing area that is filled with flowerbeds, florals, and greenery raised in the conservatory’s functioning greenhouse. If you’re looking to celebrate a milestone or special event, there are multiple locations both indoors and outdoors. Friendship Park Conservatory also offers special programs for youths and adults.
Walkability & Transportation
While you’ll need a car to get around town, there pockets of areas where you can walk
and enjoy the shops, restaurants and other attractions – there’s also an extensive
network of trails available so you can exercise and enjoy the beauty of nature at the
same time.
Downtown Plainfield is built right on US 40, and even though it borders the highway
there are wide sidewalks and the area is enhanced with colorful and decorative
structures for additional safety. You’ll find that it’s easy to access the trail network.
These trails are paved and weave throughout downtown so it’s excellent for walking,
biking, and recreation. The longest trail in town is the Vandalia Trail along with the
Hummel Park Loop and Blue Heron Path, both of which are paved.
Public transit options are limited, with the CIRTA Plainfield Connector the best option.
This bus route and vanpool service operations that run Monday–Saturday from about
5:10 AM to 7:00 PM, with $1.00 fares and no Sunday service.
Sitting just 15 miles southwest of Downtown Indianapolis, Plainfield resists have
multiple options for getting from home to work, and enjoying everything Indy has to
offer. Indianapolis International Airport is just east of town along I-70, making it very
convenient for commuting into Indy or catching flights.
Plainfield’s combination of trails, roadways, and public transportation – plus its proximity
to Indianapolis – make it an excellent place to live and work.
Walking Paths & Trails
Plainfield offers 20 miles of trails. Major trails include:
- White Lick Creek Trail
- Sugar Grove Trail
- Perimeter Trail
- Vandalia
- Clarks Creek Trail
For a complete listing of the many trails and parks located in Plainfield, click here.
Culture
Amenities, Shopping & Culture
There’s plenty of action in Plainfield – and easy to say there’s something for everyone. Don’t let the small-town vibe fool you, the area is packed with small boutique shops and larger retail stores. Plus, there are concerts and fine arts galore.
If you’re looking for shopping options, your first stop should be Historic Main Street. This easily walkable venue began its life in the 1850s, with the founding of Hotel Hendrix. Since then the area has seen rapid, dependable growth and today’s version mixes modern with classic venues and restaurants.
There are numerous shopping options available on Main Street – from cozy boutiques to bustling vintage shops bursting with one of a kind items that will add flair to your wardrobe and your home.
Need a break from all that shopping? There are numerous eateries, cafes, and restaurants within walking distance, offering everything from authentic pizza to more formal dining options that feature diverse dishes.
Plainville’s art and entertainment scene has earned a reputation for holding concerts and art shows for everyone. Art on Main hosts summer art camps for children, paintings and crafts by local artisans, and gallery viewings.
Another great place to soak up culture and entertainment is Hendricks Live! This venue delivers entertainment for everyone in the community – including comedy, dance, theater, film, and music. There’s also programming that caters directly to the younger crowd, Hendricks Live! Family.
This venue is also available for rentals so you can stage your next event in a classic but modern space. The multipurpose event space has a capacity for 120 people and the outdoor teracce is the perfect place for memorable events.
Community Events
Community is everything in Plainfield and you can find something to do throughout the year. Whether it’s the Plainfield Chamber Farmers Market that runs throughout the summer of Plainfield Sky Dance at Quaker Days, you’ll never be bored.
A few of the community highlights in Plainville include:
- Plainfield Chamber Farmers Market
- Easter Scramble
- Arbor Day Celebration
- Cops & Bobbers
- Public Safety Day
- Plainfield Sky Dance
- Back Your Badge Marathon
- National Night Out
- Hendricks County International Festival
- Sat-Terror Day
- Trees of Plainfield
- Firetruck Santa
- Christmas Lights Display
You can view a complete listing of community events here.
Schools & Education
The Plainfield Community School Corporation (PCSC) serves the majority of students in the Plainville area. The public school district is highly regarded and services approximately 5,900 students from preschool through 12th grade across nine schools.
Student-to-teacher ratios average about 18:1, allowing for relatively small class sizes compared to many suburban districts. This low ratio has been cited by many alumni and parents as one of the main reasons for success throughout their academic careers.
In addition to classroom time, the public school system offers a variety of athletic teams that students can join to learn the true meaning of effort and sportsmanship. These choices range from track and field to baseball and women’s volleyball.
Another highlight of the system is the Imagination Lab, designed to help students learn new methods of learning, building creating and inventing. Offerings at the Imagination lab run the entire gamut – from learning about video recording to fabricating objects from raw materials. Rounding out this space are areas for sounding recording and biology options that inspire young minds to discover the world around them.
The public system’s breakdown, from elementary to high school is listed below:
Elementary Schools (K–5)
- Brentwood Elementary
- Central Elementary
- Clarks Creek Elementary
- Guilford Elementary
- Van Buren Elementary
Middle School
- Plainfield Community Middle School (Grades 6–8)
High School
- Plainfield High School (Grades 9–12)
In addition to the public schools, there are also a variety of private and religious institutions that include Catholic schools in Plainfield and nearby Avon; several Christian academies; Montessori programs and independent preschool programs.
- St. Susanna School
- Plainfield Christian School
- Bethesda Christian School
- Covenant Christian High School
- Mooresville Christian Academy
Buying in Plainfield
Buying a home in Plainfield can be challenging, but with the right information you can quickly narrow down properties by price, location and what type of house you want to purchase.
Entry level homes include properties found in established neighborhoods and include established homes and newer subdivisions. Price points in this class usually range from $230-$300K. Located along the US-40 corridor, commuting to Indianapolis is convenient and relatively quick.
Traditional single family homes are numerous and can fall into the $300-$380K range. The next step up includes executive and new construction homes that offer plenty of space on premium lots and are located along the edge of suburban development. Expect to see listings that being at $400K.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When you consider its small town feel with modern amenities, you can be sure that life in Plainfield is enjoyable and rewarding. Excellent schools and a vibrant downtown featuring shops, restaurants and boutiques means you’ll always find something to do. Add in parks and walking trails and you’ve got the perfect mix.
Affordably priced housing options that run the spectrum from quaint one-family houses to modern day structures that offer a wide range of amenities. The educational system is top notch and acitivites and events ensure there’s always plenty to do. Add in the multiple trails and parks and you have a place that you’ll love to call home.
The commute from Plainfield, Indiana, to downtown Indianapolis is about 15 to 17 miles southwest of the city, and can take from 20-25 minutes. The most direct rout by car is via I-70 or US 40. Public transportation can be accessed via the IndyGo Line 8 Bus and takes around 45 minutes to get from Plainfield into downtown Indianapolis.
You can expect the housing market to be slightly competitive based on various factors. Homes received anywhere from two to three offers and typically fall within the $300-$350 range. Additionally homes with an outbuilding and acreage are extremely sought after. Lastly, homes near the parks and trails are prized.
