Joy-Schaefer
Neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan
Wayne County 48228
B Neighborhood Grade
7.1 Neighborhood Score
$59,000
Average Value
$46
Average Price per Sq Ft
A Working-Class Crossroads with Roots That Run Deep in Wayne County 48228
Located on Joy Road near Schaefer Highway in Detroit’s 48228 ZIP code, the Joy-Schaefer community features modest post-war housing and the kind of steady energy that doesn’t ask for attention – it earns it.
It’s a peaceful residential stretch built on porch conversations, block clubs, and people who value ownership more than appearances.
In short, it’s Detroit without pretense – one paycheck at a time, one home improvement project at a time, and most importantly…one neighborly gesture at a time.
Humble but Strong, the Joy-Schaefer Way
Joy-Schaefer has a solid, if not predictable, housing stock:
Here, you’ll find brick ranches, bungalows, and tidy colonials that were built between the late 1940s and 1960s.
These are homes that were first designed for hardworking auto industry and factory workers, and with costs starting at just $30,000 (up to $60,000), you can easily find fixer-uppers with good bones and plenty of rehab potential.
As for move-in-ready homes – ones with newer roofs, windows, and mechanicals – those typically fetch between $85,000 and $140,000 and include perks like two or three bedrooms with full basements, fenced-in yards, and detached garages.
While prices are steadily rising, it’s still one of the cheapest spots in the Metro area to buy a decent-sized home without bleeding your bank account dry.
Schools in District 7: Steady and Community-Focused
Families in Joy-Schaefer are served by the Detroit Public Schools Community District and several schools nearby that serve neighborhood youth:
Ann Arbor Trail Magnet School, a local school that emphasizes academic basics and community involvement.
Cody High School, which offers traditional and vocational courses for students looking to get a head start on their future.
The facilities are old, but the relationships inside them are often generational. Here, teachers know siblings, and principals know parents by name.
Daily Life: Familiar Places, Everyday Needs
Joy-Schaefer isn’t about boutique retail or brunch spots – it’s about convenience, connection, and continuity.
Joy Road and Schaefer Highway boast a selection of corner stores, fast-food joints, carry-out spots, as well as local service businesses like salons, tax offices, and small auto shops – among others.
As for grocery shopping, most Joy-Schaefer residents visit Glory Supermarket, Family Dollar, and independent grocery stores, with larger shopping trips available at big box chain stores in nearby Dearborn or Redford.
There are also several area-staple churches in the Joy-Schaefer neighborhood that provide childcare, youth mentorship, tutoring, community dinners, and sports leagues.
This is a neighborhood where people still chat in the checkout line, the barber knows your kids, and you can live without feeling like you have to keep up with the Joneses.
Green Space & Local Spirit
While there is little parkland within Joy-Schaefer’s boundaries, nearby Rouge Park, Stoepel Park, and Zussman Playground provide plenty of open space in the form of athletic fields and trails.
In particular, Rouge Park is a huge asset – just minutes away and great for weekend walks or family outings.
The real strength of this area, however, is its people.
Here you’ll find a community of neighbors who sweep more than just their own sidewalks, block clubs that organize spring cleanups, and elders who remember when all the houses on the block were filled – and who still think it can be that way again.
Transportation: Easy Access, Simple Commutes
From Joy Road east-west and Schaefer Highway north-south, residents of Joy-Schaefer have easy access to the Southfield Freeway (M-39) and I-96 into downtown Detroit, Southfield, and beyond.
There are also DDOT bus routes along both major roads, making transit possible without a car.
Final Thoughts: Joy-Schaefer is Still Holding it Down
In District 7, inside ZIP code 48228, the Joy-Schaefer neighborhood might not get much flashy attention, but it also doesn’t try to.
Here, life is steady, ownership is accessible, and Detroit’s working class still hums.
If you like neighborhoods where prices are fair, neighbors care, and the path forward is built on community – not hype – Joy-Schaefer may very well be the place for you.
Agents Specializing in this Area
Schools
No Schools found.
Transit
Airport
Windsor International
Bus
Joy Rd & Schaefer Hwy
Bus
Joy @ 13770
Bus
Schaefer & Joy
Bus
Schaefer & West Chicago
Bus
Schaefer & Tireman
Bus
Schaefer & Warren
Crime and Safety
| 1 – Low Crime, 10 – High Crime | Joy-Schaefer | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 8 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 6 | 4 |
| Robbery | 6 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Joy-Schaefer Demographics and Home Trends
Joy-Schaefer is a working-class neighborhood on Detroit’s west side known for its affordability and quiet residential streets. With a median household income of $27,109, the area reflects economic challenges but remains stable, with a near-even split between renters and homeowners. Home values are low but rising, with an average price of $60,034 and a median listing price of around $51,500. Most homes are mid-century brick bungalows or ranches, averaging 1,200 square feet, making the neighborhood a practical choice for first-time buyers and investors seeking budget-friendly properties.
Home Trends
| Median Price (12 Mo) | Median Single Family Price | Average Price Per Sq Ft | Number of Homes for Sale |
| $60,034 | $80 | $63 | 12 |
| Last 12 months Home Sales | Median List Price | Median Home Sale Price YoY % | Median Home Sale Price YoY % |
| 6 | $157,450 | 11% | 99.2% |
Neighborhoods Facts
| Number of Homes in Neighborhood | Median Year Built |
| 3,911 | 1937 |
| Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft Below the national average | Median Lot Size Sq Ft |
| 1,483 1,937 | 4,138 |
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
No listings found.
See All Homes
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 |
| 1,342 | 36 | 5,315 people/sq mi | 29.5% 23.8% |
| Population over 65 On par with the national average | |||
| 11% 19.1% |
Finances
| Median Household Income Significantly below the national average | Average Household Income |
| $27,109 $78,538 | $27,130 |
Education and Workforce
| High School Graduates | College GraduateBelow the national average | Advanced Degrees | % Population in Labor Force Below the national average |
| 42% | 3% 34.1% | 1% | 55.7% 65.1% |
Weather
| Annual Precipitation | Average Winter Low Temperature | Average Summer High Temperature | Annual Snowfall |
| 30” | 20°F | 83°F | 38” |
Area Factors
66
/ 100
50
/ 100
47
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
