Grant County’s housing value is below the state average, according to a 2019 Ball State study.
This month, Ball State University’s Center for Business and Economic Research director Michael Hicks released a new Indiana Community Asset Inventory and Rankings Report which assesses the quality of life and economic status of Indiana’s counties. The report also compares recent data with a 2012 report.
The report considers Grant County’s housing values to be distressed, according to the barameter, while neighboring counties are rated as recovering.
Hicks said counties that are considered distressed typically have a decline in population, vacant homes and lower priced homes. Counties that are recovering typically have population growth and are usually close to urban communities, he says.
Steve Sapp, assistant director of the Marion Housing Authority, said while he agrees with data that shows Grant County as distressed in 2017, he believes the county is improving.
Sapp said the cost of homes is higher now and that more people are moving in to Grant County.
The city has been proactive in the past six years in getting rid of old homes, Sapp said.
“There’s a small renaissance that’s taking off,” he said.
Jim Nicholoson, one of the owners of Nicholson Realty, said Grant County is a “sellers market” right now.
Nicholoson said housing prices have gone up compared to 2017, but he thinks no new houses are being built since he hasn’t seen any builders in the county.
The report also graded Indiana counties on a curve for various categories.
An even number of A and F grades along with an even number of B and D grades were given out. Performers considered average received a C grade.
As for the other grades assigned to Grant County between 2012-18, overall health went from a D to an F, education went from an F to a D and government impact and economy went from a C- to a C. In the people category, which measures the condition of the people in a county including unemployment and population growth, Grant County maintained its rankings since 2012 for arts, entertainment and recreation and changeable public amenities.
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