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Delray
Suburban Neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan
Wayne County 48209
D Neighborhood Grade
4.8 Neighborhood Score
$85,106
Average Value
$387
Average Price per Sq Ft
Detroit’s Industrial Underdog in 48209
A forgotten corner of District 6, Delray borders the Detroit River to the south and is bounded by Zug Island, I-75, and the Ambassador Bridge to the north.
Located in the 48209 ZIP code, Delray is thriving but still alive.
While not an area for the faint of heart, for those looking for resilience, rawness, and untapped potential, Delray offers something rare in Detroit: untapped opportunity in the form of cheap land, riverfront access, and a history thick with soot and struggle.
Housing in 48209: Bargains with Baggage
Delray’s real estate is among the city’s cheapest, but its affordability comes at a cost: blight problems, aging infrastructure, and neglected properties.
That said, savvy investors and elbow-grease-minded homeowners still see the upside.
Properties in need of major repairs go for as low as $15,000 to $40,000 on streets near Fort Street or Jefferson Avenue, while updated single-family homes, when available, typically fetch $90,000 to $150,000 after full renovations.
Condos – though rare in Delray – typically fall in the $50,000 to $120,000 range based on size and condition.
There are also some modest early 20th-century workers’ homes, brick colonials, and frame houses in the 48209 ZIP code – many owned by families that have lived in Delray for generations.
A Neighborhood Built on Steel and Sweat
Once a thriving industry town – a Hungarian American powerhouse where steel mills roared and church bells tolled over narrow streets – Delray is now best known for its huge smokestacks, abandoned warehouses, and ethnic churches.
And while its industry now operates at only a fraction of its former scale, its legacy (and pollution) are still there.
Indeed, quality issues involving air and soil have long been documented in Delray, yet many residents remain in spite of that, citing deep ties to its land, history, and community.
Community, Not Commerce
Delray has no shopping district.
Here, the retail is sparse, and dining mostly involves old neighborhood bars and diners such as the area favorite Mason’s Bar, popular for their cold brews and fried fish.
For groceries and supplies, residents can head over to nearby Mexicantown, Southwest Detroit, or Lincoln Park.
Despite this lack of nearby essentials and recreation, where Delray really shines is its vibrant community spirit.
It’s a place where block clubs and informal social networks act as safety nets in areas where city services often fail – one where residents still take great pride in looking out for each other.
Parks / Waterfront / Urban Isolation
Delray is one of the few neighborhoods in Detroit with direct access to the Detroit River, but much of the shoreline is blocked by industry.
There are, however, still patches of green:
Kemeny Recreation Center is old but hosts youth sports, fitness classes, and neighborhood events. It also has trails, a splash pad, and a shaded area for picnics – a testament to Delray’s unusual mix of nature and decay.
Another perk is Delray’s close access to the Gordie Howe International Bridge – currently under construction – which promises new infrastructure and jobs but also raises a host of questions about displacement, traffic, and environmental impact.
How to Get Around District 6
The layout in Delray favors drivers.
Freeways and heavy truck routes enclose it, with Jefferson, Fort Street, and I-75 as its main arteries.
Here, DDOT buses rarely run, and sidewalks are either broken or missing.
Cycling is possible, though precarious.
It isn’t an area built for pedestrians – but many make do with what’s available.
Schools and Family Life in the 48209 ZIP Code
Delray is served by Detroit Public Schools but has no operating schools in the direct area.
That said, Earhart Elementary-Middle School and Western International High School serve area families, with many parents choosing charter or parochial schools just outside the neighborhood for alternative education options.
Education initiatives and community tutoring resources are also limited in Delray, although sometimes supplemented by nearby nonprofits in Southwest Detroit.
Here, raising a family means bridging gaps while also building a strong relationship with self-sufficiency.
Delray Isn’t Pretty – But It’s Real
Delray isn’t a polished gem. It’s rough and tumble – industrial. Yet among the cracked sidewalks and boarded windows of ZIP code 48209, you’ll find a neighborhood that refuses to vanish.
For investors, Delray has rock-bottom prices and riverside redevelopment potential. For long-time residents, it has deep roots. And for newcomers willing to put in work, Delray is among the few places in Detroit where home ownership is actually within reach – even if it means rolling up your sleeves.
You don’t buy comfort in Delray.
It challenges you to build it.
Agents Specializing in this Area
Schools
No Schools found.
Transit
Airport
Windsor International
Bus
Fort & I-75 Service Dr
Bus
Thaddeus & West End
Bus
Jefferson & Livernois
Bus
Dragoon & South
Bus
Livernois & Holly
Bus
Fort & Green
Bus
Fort & West End
Crime and Safety
| 1 – Low Crime, 10 – High Crime | Delray | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 7 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 7 | 4 |
| Robbery | 7 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 6 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Housing Trends
| Median List Price | Median Sale Price | Median Single Family Sale Price | |
| $420,000 | $379,000 | $387 |
Neighborhood Facts
| Number of Homes in Neighborhood | Number of Homes for Sale |
| 651 | 1 |
| Median Year Built | Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft |
| 1913 | 969 |
| Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft | |
| 712 |
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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 |
| 952 | 36 | 1 person/acre | 28.6% 23.8% |
| Population over 65 On par with the national average | |||
| 13.4% 19.1% |
Finances
| Median Household Income Significantly below the national average | Average Household Income |
| $18,736 $71,702 | $36,278 |
Education and Workforce
| High School Graduates Below the national average | College Graduates Below the national average | Advanced Degrees Above the national average | % Population in Labor Force |
| 68.2% 89.1% | 4.1% 34.1% | 0.2% | 52.8% |
Weather
| Annual Precipitation | Average Winter Low Temperature | Average Summer High Temperature | Annual Snowfall |
| 30” | 20°F | 83°F | 38” |
