
Downtown Detroit
Neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan
Wayne County 48201, 48226
D Neighborhood Grade
4.9 Neighborhood Score
$511,882
Average Value
$342
Average Price per Sq Ft
A Transformation in Progress
Downtown Detroit, serving zip codes 48201 and 48226, has an energy unlike any other.
Once ground zero of America’s auto industry, it now brings a mix of entrepreneurs, artists, professionals, musicians, and long-time residents who enjoy its fast-paced lifestyle and the convenience of being adjacent to work, entertainment, and culture.
Positioned right smackdab between Highway 10 and I-375, this neighborhood comes jam packed with history and revitalized landmarks in the shadow of glittering skyscrapers—a true testament to reinvention for a city that once stumbled —where every block tells a story.
District 5’s Comeback Season
Since 2010, Downtown Detroit has seen a huge 23% surge in residents in the 48201 and 48226 zip codes.
What were once skyscrapers reserved for corporate offices are now home to trendy lofts and state-of-the-art condos and apartments.
Everywhere you look, you can see the transformation—particularly in buildings with 1920s and 1930s Art Deco bones—now featuring modern finishes, breathtaking views of the city, and luxury amenities such as rooftop pools, gated access, and 24-hour security.
As far as pricing goes, three-bedroom condos can come in at well over $1.5 million, while smaller spaces and studios range anywhere from $200,000 to $800,000 (depending on the design and updates).
That said, the road back was far from smooth.
In 2008, the crash nearly brought Detroit to its knees—foreclosures reached an all-time high, the population drastically dipped, and bankruptcy loomed like a black cloud.
However, Detroit has reemerged as a startup haven in the years since, particularly in tech, small business, and hospitality.
Groundbreaking Initiatives such as Motor City Match have helped launch a whopping 1,800 small businesses while infusing nearly $14 million into the city in the form of local grants, revitalizing a city that was once thought to be without a hope in the world.
There’s also Ford’s recent redevelopment of Michigan Central Station just three miles away from Downtown Detroit, which boosts plenty of exciting signals for the future: retail, restaurants, labs, and potentially even a boutique hotel in a space that was once abandoned and boarded up.
Downtown Detroit’s Bustling Food and Retail Scene
Whether you’re a fan of craft cocktails or coney dogs, foodies thrive in the downtown Detroit area. Plenty of locals swear by American Coney Island, a 1917 staple known for their chili dogs and old school charm—a fact proven by the fact that it always seems to be packed.
Others enjoy spots like Central Kitchen + Bar for after-work drinks and live R&B brunches, Besa for coastal Mediterranean dishes in an ultra-modern setting, or The Apparatus Room inside the Detroit Foundation Hotel for ambiance and James Beard-worthy cuisine.
For everyday essentials, Whole Foods and Meijer are a short drive away, and Plum Market and Mootown Ice Cream shop are there for those specialty goods and sweet treats.
Wanting a more luxurious retail experience? Look no further than Somerset Collection’s downtown boutique nestled in the historic Metropolitan Building, a favorite among Downtown Detroit’s more upscale residents.
Recreation with a City View in 48201 and 48226
One huge perk of living in the downtown Detroit area is that your backyard view consists of both skyline and waterfront.
Here, the award-winning Detroit Riverwalk stretches past the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater and Valade Park for over three miles, with runners, bikers, and dog walkers alike taking full advantage of its breathtaking views.
Then there’s Hart Plaza, which hosts major events such as the Movement Electronic Music Festival, while Campus Martius Park is a beacon for year-round action with everything from ice skating in the cold winter months to food trucks, pop up shops, and basketball in the summer.
Come December, the park also transforms for Detroit’s much loved annual tree-lighting ceremony.
There’s even a man made beach complete with an impressive 40,000 pounds of sand, right in the center of the city.
Downtown Detroit School Options
For families in the Downtown area, there are several great educational options to choose from. Charles L. Spain Elementary serves grades Kindergarten through 8th, and students can then continue on to Detroit’s top ranked public high school: Cass Technical High School, which takes great pride in preparing teens for careers in architecture, engineering, the arts, and IT.
Cass Tech is also one of only five exam schools that exist in the city, and it’s also loved for its full music and theater programs.
As far as higher education, Wayne State University is located just north of downtown and offers more than 350 academic programs along with a vibrant student body that brings a lot of energy and culture to the district.
Navigating Downtown Detroit: Wheels, Rails, and Free Rides
One of the most convenient parts of Downtown Detroit is how walkable it is.
Everywhere you look, you’ll see rental bike riders, skateboarders, and joggers, as well as locals getting in and out of Ubers or Lyfts.
The Q-Line streetcar is also there to connect downtown residents to Midtown and New Center, while the Detroit People Mover—an entirely free monorail—makes full loops around downtown all day long, making navigating stadiums, restaurants, and riverfront hotspots a breeze.
If you need to fly, Detroit Metropolitan Airport is just 20 miles west of Downtown, offering both domestic and international flights.
Downtown Detroit is More Than a Neighborhood—It’s a Movement
Indeed, Downtown Detroit is where sports, culture, art, business, tech, and nightlife coexist in one seamless, electric, always buzzing district.
Whether you’re looking to grab brunch at a local eatery, catch a Pistons game, visit an art show at Library Street Collective, or watch live music at Deluxx Fluxx—it’s all within walking distance.
The vibe is fast-paced, modern, a little gritty (with plenty of heart), and above all else…always evolving.
Downtown Detroit isn’t just a place to call home—it’s a movement in motion.
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Agents Specializing in this Area
Schools
No Schools found.
Transit
Airport
Windsor International
Bus
Times Square
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Michigan Avenue
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Fort/Cass
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Cobo Center
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Joe Louis Arena
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Financial District
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Millender Center
Crime and Safety
| 1 – Low Crime, 10 – High Crime | Downtown Detroit | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 6 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 8 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 6 | 4 |
| Robbery | 9 | 4 |
| Burglary | 10 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 9 | 4 |
| Larceny | 9 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 9 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Detroit Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Detroit, Detroit sell after 110 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Detroit, Detroit over the last 12 months is $368,875, up 8% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
| Median List Price | Median Sale Price | Median Townhouse Sale Price | Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price |
| $399,000 | $368,875 | $415,000 | $352,750 |
| Median Change From 1st List Price | Last 12 months Home Sales | Median Home Sale Price YoY Change | Average Price Per Sq Ft |
| 6% | 26 | 8% | $342 |
Neighborhood Facts
| Number of Homes in Neighborhood | Number of Homes for Sale |
| 232 | 20 |
| Median Year Built | Months of Supply |
| 1982 | 9.20 |
| Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft Below the national average | Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft |
| 1,026 1,937 | 1,150 |
| Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft | Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft |
| 1,345 | 756 |
| Median Lot Size Sq Ft | |
| 2,613 |
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
No Active listings found.
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Average Home Value
Property Mix – Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
| Total Population | Median Age | Population Density | Population under 18 On par with the national average |
| 6,662 | 39 | 9 ppl/acre | 10.5% 23.8% |
| Population over 65 On par with the national average | |||
| 15.6% 19.1% |
Finances
| Median Household Income Significantly below the national average | Average Household Income |
| $83,655 $71,702 | $100,821 |
Education and Workforce
| High School Graduates | College Graduates Below the national average | Advanced Degrees Above the national average | % Population in Labor Force |
| 90.7% | 52.5% 34.1% | 28.1% 13.3% | 64.9% |
Weather
| Annual Precipitation | Average Winter Low Temperature | Average Summer High Temperature | Annual Snowfall |
| 30” | 20°F | 83°F | 38” |
Area Factors
73
/ 100
86
/ 100
99
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
No polygon data available.
