What’s the best part of Fort Wayne?
It could be where everyone knows their neighbor. Or it could be where home prices are the highest, meaning it’s where everyone wants to live.
Instead of relying on public opinion and speculation, we wanted to get the facts straight and find out which neighborhoods in Fort Wayne are the best based on Saturday Night Science.
Whether you live in the sticks or in an apartment building downtown, you want a little pocket that you can call home. And each neighborhood offers different perks and benefits.
Smaller neighborhoods usually have obvious benefits — less crime, a slower pace of life, and a lower cost of living. But not all Fort Wayne neighborhoods are created equal. Some are better than others. But which ones?
If you’re thinking of moving to Indiana and Fort Wayne is on the top of your list, check out the best neighborhoods for 2024.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
So what’s the best neighborhood to live in Fort Wayne for 2024? According to the most recent census data, Pine Valley looks to be the best Fort Wayne neighborhood to live in.
Read on to see how we determined the places around Fort Wayne that deserve a little bragging rights, or maybe you’re interested in the worst neighborhoods in Fort Wayne.
For more Indiana reading, check out:
The 10 Best Neighborhoods To Live In Fort Wayne
Population: 2,038
Median Home Value: $191,000 (Seventh best)
Median Income: $90,801 (Sixth best)
More on Pine Valley: Data | Real Estate
Population: 686
Median Home Value: $212,000 (Sixth best)
Median Income: $96,516 (Second best)
More on Shorewood: Data | Real Estate
Population: 132
Median Home Value: $191,000 (Seventh best)
Median Income: $94,519 (Third best)
More on Lake Pointe Villas: Data | Real Estate
Population: 847
Median Home Value: $144,900 (5best)
Median Income: $61,094 (74th best)
More on Lake Forest Extended: Data | Real Estate
Population: 1,196
Median Home Value: $157,350 (29th best)
Median Income: $69,185 (38th best)
More on Lincoln Village: Data | Real Estate
Population: 291
Median Home Value: $159,900 (27th best)
Median Income: $69,380 (36th best)
More on Wheatridge: Data | Real Estate
Population: 249
Median Home Value: $171,000 (13th best)
Median Income: $85,417 (18th best)
More on Kekionga Shores: Data | Real Estate
Population: 518
Median Home Value: $258,200 (Third best)
Median Income: $89,982 (Seventh best)
More on Timber Lake-Covington Woods: Data | Real Estate
Population: 398
Median Home Value: $185,300 (Tenth best)
Median Income: $64,148 (56th best)
More on Tamarak: Data | Real Estate
Population: 736
Median Home Value: $123,900 (68th best)
Median Income: $59,274 (79th best)
More on Westlawn: Data | Real Estate
Methodology: How We Determined The Best Fort Wayne, IN Neighborhoods In 2024
To rank the best neighborhoods in Fort Wayne, we had to determine what criteria define “best” and then apply Saturday Night Science to it.
Using FBI crime, Census, and extrapolated BLS data, we arrived at the following set of criteria:
- High incomes
- Low unemployment rates
- Low crime
- High home prices
- High population densities (A proxy for things to do)
We then ranked each neighborhood with scores from 1 to 184 in each category, where 1 was the best.
Next, we averaged the rankings for each neighborhood to create a best neighborhood index.
And finally, we crowned the neighborhood with the lowest best neighborhood index, the “Best City Neighborhood In Fort Wayne.” We’re lookin’ at you, Pine Valley.
Read on below to learn more about what it’s like to live in the best places Fort Wayne, Indiana has to offer. Or skip to the end to see the list of all the neighborhoods in the city, from best to worst.
We updated this article for 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking the best neighborhoods to live in Fort Wayne.
Summary: Putting A Bow On Our Analysis Of The Best Neighborhoods In Fort Wayne
If you’re measuring the neighborhoods in Fort Wayne where crime is low and everyone wants to live, this is an accurate list.
The best neighborhoods in Fort Wayne are Pine Valley, Shorewood, Lake Pointe Villas, Lake Forest Extended, Lincoln Village, Wheatridge, Kekionga Shores, Timber Lake-Covington Woods, Tamarak, and Westlawn.
As mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Fort Wayne aren’t all good. Highland Park Forest takes the title of the worst neighborhood to live in Fort Wayne.
The worst neighborhoods in Fort Wayne are Highland Park Forest, East Side, Poplar, Ferndale, and Oakland Park.
We ranked the neighborhoods from best to worst in the chart below.
For more Indiana reading, check out:
Best Neighborhoods To Live In Fort Wayne For 2024 Detailed Data
| Rank | Neighborhood | Population | Home Value | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pine Valley | 2,038 | $191,000 | $90,801 |
| 2 | Shorewood | 686 | $212,000 | $96,516 |
| 3 | Lake Pointe Villas | 132 | $191,000 | $94,519 |
| 4 | Lake Forest Extended | 847 | $144,900 | $61,094 |
| 5 | Lincoln Village | 1,196 | $157,350 | $69,185 |
| 6 | Wheatridge | 291 | $159,900 | $69,380 |
| 7 | Kekionga Shores | 249 | $171,000 | $85,417 |
| 8 | Timber Lake-Covington Woods | 518 | $258,200 | $89,982 |
| 9 | Tamarak | 398 | $185,300 | $64,148 |
| 10 | Westlawn | 736 | $123,900 | $59,274 |
| 11 | Plantation Of Aboite | 140 | $171,000 | $85,398 |
| 12 | Northwood Park | 188 | $159,900 | $69,380 |
| 13 | Centaur Acres | 202 | $258,200 | $91,125 |
| 14 | Aboite Meadows | 486 | $166,500 | $90,909 |
| 15 | Paper Mill Bluffs | 448 | $168,000 | $50,833 |
| 16 | Copper Hill | 523 | $166,500 | $88,207 |
| 17 | Wallen Chase | 274 | $154,800 | $68,990 |
| 18 | Oakborough | 474 | $166,500 | $88,207 |
| 19 | Inverness Lakes | 401 | $292,150 | $85,473 |
| 20 | Manor Park | 264 | $154,800 | $68,990 |
| 21 | Woodlands Of Riverside | 371 | $168,000 | $50,833 |
| 22 | Liberty Hills West | 106 | $171,000 | $85,417 |
| 23 | The Knolls | 204 | $144,900 | $61,094 |
| 24 | Mill Ridge Place | 104 | $164,300 | $73,971 |
| 25 | Winterset | 250 | $170,500 | $59,947 |
| 26 | Sunny Meadows | 288 | $185,300 | $64,148 |
| 27 | Liberty Hill | 184 | $160,850 | $83,334 |
| 28 | Centerhurst | 500 | $121,300 | $63,500 |
| 29 | Saratoga Park | 909 | $171,000 | $107,127 |
| 30 | Lake Forest | 720 | $146,200 | $50,880 |
| 31 | Brentwood Park | 1,249 | $101,800 | $64,335 |
| 32 | Kensington Downs | 441 | $153,100 | $63,960 |
| 33 | Becketts Run | 121 | $154,800 | $68,990 |
| 34 | Winterfield | 273 | $166,500 | $88,207 |
| 35 | Inverness Hills | 84 | $326,100 | $79,821 |
| 36 | Waterswolde | 225 | $148,400 | $62,708 |
| 37 | Auburn Farms | 106 | $154,800 | $68,990 |
| 38 | Aldale Acres | 173 | $147,800 | $65,300 |
| 39 | Village Of Buckingham | 434 | $118,300 | $71,000 |
| 40 | Abby Place | 153 | $123,900 | $59,274 |
| 41 | Shores Of Oakborough | 207 | $166,500 | $88,207 |
| 42 | Kern Valley Meadows | 263 | $153,100 | $63,960 |
| 43 | Brookside Park | 274 | $121,300 | $63,500 |
| 44 | Statewood Park | 394 | $118,300 | $71,000 |
| 45 | Millstone | 352 | $148,600 | $67,254 |
| 46 | Burnham Woods | 70 | $150,700 | $81,250 |
| 47 | Old Brook Farm | 251 | $121,300 | $63,500 |
| 48 | Walden | 1,072 | $118,300 | $76,987 |
| 49 | New Glenwood | 1,064 | $118,300 | $76,987 |
| 50 | Brandonwood | 207 | $121,300 | $63,500 |
| 51 | Falls Of Beaver Creek | 127 | $123,900 | $59,274 |
| 52 | Wyndemere | 239 | $185,300 | $52,109 |
| 53 | Georgetown Place | 549 | $147,500 | $40,667 |
| 54 | Kirkwood Park | 278 | $121,500 | $67,852 |
| 55 | Maplewood Park | 887 | $122,500 | $55,865 |
| 56 | Greenfield | 177 | $121,300 | $63,500 |
| 57 | Newfield | 88 | $130,600 | $70,291 |
| 58 | Eldorado Hills | 127 | $148,400 | $62,708 |
| 59 | Summit Ridge | 233 | $118,300 | $71,000 |
| 60 | Wildwood Park | 882 | $224,900 | $33,893 |
| 61 | Lakes Of Buckingham | 221 | $118,300 | $71,000 |
| 62 | Valley Park Forest | 384 | $147,500 | $40,667 |
| 63 | Breconshire | 116 | $133,600 | $43,080 |
| 64 | Hearthstone | 153 | $148,600 | $67,254 |
| 65 | Log Cabin Park | 275 | $141,300 | $70,063 |
| 66 | Bullerman Park Forest | 408 | $116,300 | $68,786 |
| 67 | Southwood Park | 1,856 | $108,400 | $65,471 |
| 68 | Oakhurst | 299 | $116,300 | $68,786 |
| 69 | Parkview | 1,055 | $101,250 | $41,262 |
| 70 | Bass-Leesburg | 1,513 | $136,900 | $63,595 |
| 71 | Concord Hills | 390 | $117,000 | $67,234 |
| 72 | Blackhawk | 1,341 | $127,700 | $50,804 |
| 73 | The Hollows | 107 | $118,300 | $71,000 |
| 74 | Lakeshores | 530 | $149,050 | $51,044 |
| 75 | Maplewood Terrace And Downs | 682 | $127,600 | $55,774 |
| 76 | Tanbark Trails | 323 | $117,000 | $67,234 |
| 77 | North Triangle | 452 | $83,700 | $61,912 |
| 78 | Cambridge Oaks | 185 | $122,500 | $55,865 |
| 79 | Ranchwood | 756 | $136,800 | $31,960 |
| 80 | Harrison Hill | 455 | $81,600 | $69,578 |
| 81 | Park State East | 254 | $150,100 | $89,024 |
| 82 | Blackhawk Farms | 586 | $127,700 | $50,804 |
| 83 | Camelot | 156 | $116,300 | $68,786 |
| 84 | North Highlands | 1,630 | $85,050 | $52,750 |
| 85 | Frances Slocum | 2,306 | $102,680 | $58,600 |
| 86 | Springwood-Orchard Woods | 433 | $95,300 | $51,224 |
| 87 | Fairmont | 831 | $95,000 | $70,582 |
| 88 | Willshire Estates | 143 | $116,300 | $68,786 |
| 89 | Countryside | 194 | $150,100 | $89,024 |
| 90 | Village Woods | 1,512 | $72,300 | $46,455 |
| 91 | Bellshire | 191 | $150,100 | $89,024 |
| 92 | Maplewood Gardens | 135 | $116,300 | $68,786 |
| 93 | Westwood-Fairway | 1,154 | $121,050 | $49,540 |
| 94 | Glenwood Park | 2,191 | $111,500 | $62,299 |
| 95 | Blackhawk Forest | 404 | $127,700 | $50,804 |
| 96 | Bellair | 324 | $99,500 | $49,297 |
| 97 | Sawmill Woods | 308 | $101,250 | $41,262 |
| 98 | Greentree | 238 | $116,400 | $62,917 |
| 99 | Countrybrook | 181 | $150,100 | $89,024 |
| 100 | Fairfield Terrace-Belmont | 853 | $53,400 | $41,774 |
| 101 | Irvington Park | 180 | $83,700 | $61,912 |
| 102 | Saint Marys River | 394 | $113,700 | $56,985 |
| 103 | Bohde Grove | 198 | $116,400 | $62,917 |
| 104 | Lincoln Park | 756 | $80,000 | $59,276 |
| 105 | Northside | 7,017 | $96,729 | $48,812 |
| 106 | Brookside-Parkerdale | 983 | $109,450 | $55,375 |
| 107 | Crown Colony | 1,395 | $87,300 | $55,192 |
| 108 | Forest Park Boulevard | 531 | $118,650 | $48,037 |
| 109 | Imperial Gardens | 104 | $127,600 | $55,774 |
| 110 | Southwick Village | 1,141 | $87,300 | $55,192 |
| 111 | Somerset Acres | 117 | $116,400 | $62,917 |
| 112 | Audubon Park | 92 | $150,100 | $89,024 |
| 113 | North Anthony Area | 2,043 | $106,250 | $51,250 |
| 114 | West Central | 3,781 | $126,320 | $38,260 |
| 115 | Monarch Park | 347 | $131,700 | $25,435 |
| 116 | Lakewood Park | 290 | $127,600 | $42,142 |
| 117 | Old Trail | 746 | $74,400 | $37,143 |
| 118 | North Franke Park | 429 | $101,700 | $57,019 |
| 119 | Lofton Woods | 293 | $131,700 | $25,435 |
| 120 | Five Points | 1,033 | $79,233 | $55,260 |
| 121 | Kyle Road | 995 | $88,200 | $56,544 |
| 122 | Southwest Waynedale | 759 | $65,700 | $36,536 |
| 123 | Interurban Acres | 507 | $162,200 | $38,538 |
| 124 | Spy Run | 1,306 | $71,250 | $40,860 |
| 125 | Crestwood Colony | 1,185 | $88,600 | $56,857 |
| 126 | Larez | 1,390 | $63,750 | $28,514 |
| 127 | Westmoor Park | 248 | $116,800 | $45,404 |
| 128 | Oakdale | 1,764 | $77,250 | $47,940 |
| 129 | New Kirkwood Park | 259 | $110,900 | $49,583 |
| 130 | Avalon Place | 874 | $89,200 | $44,368 |
| 131 | Bloomingdale | 3,541 | $58,050 | $37,472 |
| 132 | South Wayne | 1,205 | $80,333 | $47,478 |
| 133 | Hamilton | 2,928 | $66,950 | $40,261 |
| 134 | Greenview | 366 | $97,600 | $47,250 |
| 135 | Mount Vernon Park | 679 | $50,500 | $22,560 |
| 136 | Fairfield | 1,900 | $85,550 | $45,199 |
| 137 | Summerfield | 453 | $88,600 | $56,857 |
| 138 | Eldrado Hills | 261 | $97,600 | $47,250 |
| 139 | Reckeweg Road | 273 | $100,000 | $47,727 |
| 140 | Williams-Woodland Park | 731 | $106,700 | $35,768 |
| 141 | Southeast Waynedale | 465 | $89,200 | $44,368 |
| 142 | Bridlewood | 246 | $97,600 | $47,250 |
| 143 | Sand Point | 686 | $83,800 | $51,365 |
| 144 | Brookview | 1,027 | $61,925 | $37,778 |
| 145 | Hillcrest | 637 | $69,800 | $48,764 |
| 146 | Lafayette Place | 749 | $72,900 | $54,046 |
| 147 | Hoagland Masterson | 987 | $92,600 | $35,769 |
| 148 | Maysville Heights | 271 | $86,600 | $18,967 |
| 149 | Broad River | 1,472 | $52,700 | $40,966 |
| 150 | North Sherwood Terrace And Silver Maples | 219 | $88,600 | $56,857 |
| 151 | Hazelwood | 82 | $110,900 | $49,583 |
| 152 | Rolling Rose | 433 | $35,500 | $22,250 |
| 153 | Suburan Heights | 217 | $50,500 | $22,560 |
| 154 | Victoria Park | 565 | $88,300 | $28,443 |
| 155 | Taylor Street | 432 | $99,500 | $43,182 |
| 156 | Rudisill-Plaza | 351 | $54,900 | $37,115 |
| 157 | South Suburan | 2,710 | $57,600 | $27,003 |
| 158 | Morningside Terrace | 307 | $69,800 | $48,764 |
| 159 | Elmhurst | 224 | $83,800 | $51,365 |
| 160 | Williams Park | 699 | $52,700 | $28,375 |
| 161 | Kingston Park | 123 | $111,500 | $34,233 |
| 162 | Casselwood Terrace | 204 | $87,600 | $30,673 |
| 163 | Nebraska | 1,630 | $64,600 | $37,130 |
| 164 | Oxford | 4,931 | $46,300 | $29,582 |
| 165 | South Calhoun Place | 231 | $72,900 | $54,046 |
| 166 | Westfield | 834 | $72,550 | $38,894 |
| 167 | East Central | 2,181 | $81,350 | $31,936 |
| 168 | Anthony Wayne | 1,260 | $68,933 | $38,467 |
| 169 | Continental Park | 169 | $87,600 | $30,673 |
| 170 | Belle Vista | 166 | $79,400 | $46,186 |
| 171 | Creighton Home | 1,124 | $62,500 | $29,083 |
| 172 | Pettit-Rudisill | 4,255 | $40,920 | $27,753 |
| 173 | Hickory Grove | 244 | $87,950 | $29,558 |
| 174 | Vesey | 430 | $72,550 | $38,894 |
| 175 | Pontiac Place | 971 | $45,750 | $37,058 |
| 176 | Greater Mcmillen Park | 860 | $40,700 | $31,802 |
| 177 | Michigan Avenue | 656 | $50,867 | $36,843 |
| 178 | Memorial Park | 838 | $85,833 | $25,572 |
| 179 | Harvester | 341 | $29,300 | $29,805 |
| 180 | Oakland Park | 93 | $88,300 | $28,443 |
| 181 | Ferndale | 272 | $77,000 | $22,396 |
| 182 | Poplar | 413 | $58,150 | $25,204 |
| 183 | East Side | 1,004 | $35,800 | $15,640 |
| 184 | Highland Park Forest | 87 | $54,400 | $29,762 |