How Big Is NSA Crane? 3 Things to Know Before You Relocate There

Naval Support Activity Crane covers more than 98 square miles, about 64,000 acres, with more than 3,000 buildings. It's the third-largest naval installation in the world by land area.

Lesa Miller is a REALTOR® and broker in Bloomington, Indiana, who helps buyers and sellers in Bloomington, Bedford, Martinsville and the surrounding towns. If you've just taken a job at Crane, here are three things I'd want you to know before you choose where to live.

1. Crane is mostly civilians, not sailors

Crane doesn't look like most Navy bases. According to Military OneSource, more than 5,000 Department of Defense civilian and contractor employees work there, and fewer than 50 are military.

Several commands share the base. The Navy lists Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) as the largest, alongside Crane Army Ammunition Activity, a Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk detachment and NAVFAC Midwest. Together they're called Team Crane.

Why it matters for your move: most people who take a job at Crane are buying or renting a home in a nearby town, the same way you would for any other employer. Some jobs tied to Crane are also outside the fence, at the WestGate@Crane technology park, so confirm exactly where you'll report.

2. The size changes your drive

On a base this big, where you work inside it matters almost as much as where you live. Ask your supervisor or sponsor which building and which gate you'll use, then measure the drive to that spot, not just to "Crane."

As a starting point, here are weekday-afternoon Google Maps times to Crane's main address on Highway 361 that I checked in October:

• Bloomfield: about 14 minutes

• Bedford: about 39 minutes, by State Road 58

• Ellettsville: about 43 minutes, by I-69

• Bloomington: about 44 minutes, by I-69

My post How Far Is NSA Crane From Bloomington and Bedford? A Commute Guide has more towns and what changes the drive.

3. The town of Crane is tiny

The town of Crane sits at the northwest corner of the base, and Military OneSource lists its population at 178. There isn't a large stock of homes for sale right next to the gate.

In my experience, most people who work at Crane live in Bloomington, Bedford, Ellettsville, Bloomfield or one of the towns in between. Each one feels different day to day, and the drive is only one part of that choice. If you're weighing Bedford, Bedford, Indiana and NSWC Crane: What Defense Employees Should Know Before Relocating is a good next read.

Where should you live if you work at Crane?

That's your decision, and it usually comes down to the drive you can live with, the kind of town you want, and your budget. I'll give you my best advice, based on my years of experience in these towns. For more on the base itself and the jobs growing around it, see NSWC Crane, Indiana: Base Size, Jobs, and Where Workers Live.

Frequently asked questions

How big is NSA Crane?

More than 98 square miles, about 64,000 acres, with more than 3,000 buildings, according to Military OneSource. The Navy calls it the third-largest naval installation in the world.

How many people work at Crane, Indiana?

Military OneSource says more than 5,000 Department of Defense civilian and contractor employees work at NSA Crane, and fewer than 50 military personnel.

What town is NSA Crane in?

The base is in Martin County, in southwestern Indiana. The small town of Crane sits next to its northwest corner. Most employees live in nearby towns such as Bloomington, Bedford, Ellettsville, Springville and Bloomfield.

Relocating for a job at Crane? Call or text (812) 360-3863, or visit LesaMillerRealEstate.com/Links.