St. Joseph County is served by two major hospitals, one community hospital and three outpatient Medical Clinics and Surgicenters staffed by more than four hundred doctors.

The County is home to the University of Notre Dame, one of the nation’s leading private universities, and several other private colleges: Bethel College, Holy Cross College and St. Mary’s College. Indiana University also has a campus in South Bend with a Purdue extension.

There are 1,656 miles of road within the County, of which about 69% are County roads. Bus services provided by the South Bend Public Transportation Corporation (TRANSPO). Several modes of travel are provided by twenty-five motor carriers, four mainline railroads and the Michiana Regional Transportation Center in South Bend, which is an intermodal facility with air, bus, and train services, including the South Shore Railroad to Chicago, Illinois.

Potato Creek State Park (3,840 acres) is the largest recreational facility in the County with camping, horse trails, boating, cross-country skiing, a nature center, and swimming beach.  Five County and over one-hundred municipal parks provide 2,040 acres of parkland with many lakes and several rivers in the County.
                                                                                      
Source: www.stjosephcountyindiana.com

Cities and Neighborhoods

South Bend - an All-America City 
With a population of 104,905, South Bend is the fourth largest city in Indiana, the county seat and the largest city in St. Joseph County. It is a college town with a rich history that also boasts a strong and diversified economy, as well as plentiful arts and entertainment possibilities. And now it is an All-America City, designated by the National Civic League (June 2011). Known as a civic Oscar, the All-America city designation is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious community award. Each year, a panel of national judges looks at cities that demonstrate innovation and showcase successful civic efforts.

While perhaps most famous as the location of the University of Notre Dame, South Bend stands out in the economic world as a leader in education, health care and distribution. The city’s centralized location between Chicago, Detroit and Indianapolis, as well as its easy access to the Indiana toll road, has encouraged an ever-growing number of companies to settle their warehousing and distribution centers in South Bend. In the Blackthorn Economic Development Area (BEDA) alone, more than 5.5 million square feet of construction was erected between 1991 and 2000, creating 2,626 jobs. Tire Rack, Tech Data and Pfizer are samplings of companies that have established distribution facilities in the BEDA.

Innovation Park at Notre Dame and Ignition Park are driving research and commercializing it to develop further opportunities for the community's economy. Innovation Park at Notre Dame builds commercialization bridges between the University and businesses at all stages of development. Ignition Park is South Bend's 140-acre technology park, sparking the creativity of researchers and engineers into the commercialization of new innovative products.     

South Bend also sets itself apart with exemplary health care and education. Two major hospitals, a children’s hospital and a mental/behavioral health hospital lead the healthcare charge. In addition to the storied University of Notre Dame, many other colleges and universities call South Bend home, including Indiana University South Bend, Saint Mary’s College, Holy Cross College, Ivy Tech Community College and Indiana Tech.

Erskine Village and Erskine Commons on the city's south side represent some of the newer retail shopping areas. Erskine Village is comprised of 510,000 square feet of shopping options, including Target and Kohl’s as well as Pet Smart, DSW Shoes and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Erskine Commons, a $50 million endeavor, features a Walmart Supercenter and Lowe’s among the 430,000 square feet of new commercial space.

Downtown South Bend is home to the Morris Performing Arts Center, the Studebaker National Museum and numerous other culturally significant spots, including the College Football Hall of Fame. Much of downtown is pedestrian friendly, and the trail along the East Race Waterway, a man-made kayaking course, is perfect for evening walks.

South Bend has wonderful, architecturally diverse neighborhoods such as the charming bungalows of River Park, the Victorian and Prairie-style homes in neighborhoods near downtown, the elegant beauties along the river and the exceptional custom homes of Erskine Manor and Deer Run. These neighborhoods are a great compliment to the excellent features mentioned above, making South Bend a premier destination for travelers or people looking to relocate their family or business. 

South Bend 20-year City Plan.
 Click the City Plan logo to learn more about what the future holds.
 

Mishawaka
Mishawaka, known as the Princess City, has a population of 50,126 and is situated along the St. Joseph River.

A truly impressive retail hub is located in Mishawaka, along the Grape Road/Main Street corridor. Beginning at University Park Mall and heading south, a wide array of shops and restaurants has shaped the area into the second largest regional retail center in the state of Indiana. New developments happen continuously, and according to city officials the Grape/Main corridor will grow until they run out of room. A collection of attractive commercial business parks also highlights Mishawaka’s north side.

The north side will soon be easier to access, as the Capitol Avenue project has bridged the gap between the US 20 bypass and the north side of Mishawaka. City officials expect the next area of high economic growth to be along this Capitol Avenue corridor.

Downtown Mishawaka has successfully established itself as a family and pedestrian friendly area with shopping, restaurants and nightlife. From the 100 Center, an old industrial site beautifully converted into a small shopping and entertainment district, to the new Beutter Park, a new gathering place complete with walking trails along the river and a series of modern, stunning fountains, Mishawaka is a great place to live, work and play.

These examples of growth and improvement are some of the reasons that Mishawaka saw its largest number in single family home construction in 2004. There are many thriving, well constructed apartment complexes in the area as well.

Granger
Granger is a non-incorporated Census Designated Place (CDP) with a population of 28,333. Located in the northeast part of St. Joseph County in Harris Township, Granger is fast becoming the new housing center of the county. Students from this area attend Penn-Harris-Madison schools.

Lakeville
Lakeville, a small, friendly community with a population of 554, is located on U.S. 31 in the southern part of St. Joseph County. This bustling town has light industry and is surrounded by some of the best farmland in the county. Lakeville is served by Union-North United School Corporation.

New Carlisle
Nestled in the northwest corner of St. Joseph County is New Carlisle, with a population of 1,736. The streets of this small town are lined with lovely old homes, many owned by families that have lived there for generations. New Carlisle is also home to industry, with the nearby high-tech I/N Tek I/N Kote steel manufacturing and coating facilities, which represent the largest Japanese/American joint venture in the United States. New Carlisle is served by the New Prairie School Corporation.

North Liberty
Home to the excellent Potato Creek State Park and 20 minutes to downtown South Bend, this charming small town is waiting for you. Potato Creek encompasses six square miles of land and has 327 acre lake with canoeing, fishing and swimming. You can rent cabins year round – perfect for tubing and cross country skiing. A new library anchors the north end of the retail district. North Liberty Park, at the edge of downtown, is quite lovely with woods, a creek, play equipment and picnic shelters - perfect for a family outing, reunions or weddings. John Glenn School District is one of the finest in the county and your kids can safely walk to North Liberty Elementary School. Population: 1,405.

Notre Dame
While itself an unincorporated community located along the northern outskirts of South Bend, Notre Dame, Indiana is one of the more famous tracks of land in the country. The University of Notre Dame has rested there on 1,250 acres since 1842. Famous for its combination of athletic and academic achievements, the University of Notre Dame is home to more than 8,300 undergraduate students (1,915 grad students, 1,529 professionals). With just more than 4,700 employees, it is the largest employer in St. Joseph County.

Osceola
Located in the eastern part of St. Joseph County between the cities of Mishawaka and Elkhart on U.S. 33, is the town of Osceola, with a population of 1,789. Osceola students attend Penn-Harris-Madison schools. Citizens from all parts of the county enjoy visiting Ferrettie Baugo Creek County Park, one of the area’s most beautiful and widely used recreation sites.

Roseland
With a population of 1,812, Roseland encompasses 4.5 square miles and is located on Business U.S. 31 North (IN 933). This busy commercial strip has become a haven for area travelers. Hotels, restaurants, medical offices, service stations and much more help take care of the needs of the residents and visitors. Roseland students attend South Bend schools.

Walkerton
Walkerton, with a population of 2,177, is uniquely located where four counties meet. Its central position, and ready access to many cities around it, provide distinct residential, industrial and commercial advantages. Walkerton is close to many leisure-time activities, with Koontz Lake, Fish Lake, Potato Creek State Park and three golf courses all just a few miles away. The Walkerton area is served by the John Glenn School Corporation.