Joy Community
Neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan
Wayne County 48227, 48228
z`
B Neighborhood Grade
6.5 Neighborhood Score
$64,063
Average Value
$63
Average Price per Sq Ft
A Tight-Knit Westside Neighborhood with Deep Roots in Wayne County, 48227 and 48228
Joy Community isn’t flashy or upscale, but what it provides is something rare for the Metro rare: stability.
Indeed, this little neighborhood stretching down Joy Road has remained unchanged while much of District 7 has undergone significant reshaping.
It isn’t trying to be the next hot spot – it takes pride in being the kind of neighborhood where people still greet each other, kids still ride bikes after school, and the corner store clerk still knows your name.
Housing in Joy Community: Budget-Friendly and Cozy Housing
Joy Community is a Detroit staple, with solid brick homes from the mid-20th century featuring cozy front porches, original hardwood floors, and fenced-in backyards on decent-sized lots, sometimes even with a finished basement.
Entry-level homes here start at around $35,000 if in need of work, with most fully renovated move-in ready homes going between $60,000 and $150,000 – a bargain compared to some suburban market prices in District 7.
It’s an area where many homes are family-owned and have been passed down through generations, while others are being bought up by first-time buyers seeking more space for less money.
Local Vibe: Quiet, Resilient, and Close-Knit
No one flipping through glossy home brochures would immediately be drawn to Joy Community, but ask anyone who lives there: It’s a place where people stick together.
Here, you’ll find neighbors that rake leaves together in the fall, exchange snowblower duties in the winter, and have front-lawn barbecues when the weather is warm.
Block clubs also still function here, especially on streets near Joy Road and Southfield.
In short, this is no transient neighborhood – it’s a place where people settle down and stay awhile.
Food, Parks, and Daily Life
Mom-and-pop shops, carryout joints, and churches are some of the community anchors along the stretch of Joy Road that give the neighborhood its name.
Whether you’re grabbing a fish sandwich from Captain Jay’s, eating dinner at a decade-old soul food joint, or enjoying an afternoon stroll at nearby Stoepel Park, the Joy Community neighborhood in Detroit’s 48227 and 48228 zip codes has something for everyone.
There are also a handful of pocket parks scattered throughout the area for a more relaxing outdoor experience than Stoepel, usually located next to schools or between side streets.
Schools: Local and Familiar
Joy Community is served by the Detroit Public Schools Community District.
Henderson Academy, located blocks from Joy Road’s main stretch, serves Pre-K through middle school, while most older kids in the area continue on to Cody High School just across Cathedral Street for high school, an area favorite for their athletic programs and prep pathways.
It’s a community where the vast majority of residents choose to stay local for generations, with many children attending the same schools their parents did, and other families opting to transfer their children to charter schools or nearby Catholic institutions come middle school and high school for a higher quality of education.
Transportation & Community: Everything Just Within Reach
Getting around Joy Community is made easy thanks to Joy Road, which runs right through the neighborhood, both east toward the Lodge Freeway and west toward the Southfield Freeway.
DDOT bus routes also service Joy Road as well as nearby Southfield, with low traffic in the 48227 and 48228 zip codes making pedestrian travel easy and finding parking rarely to ever an issue.
It’s one of those Detroit neighborhoods where you can still easily pull into your own driveway without having to navigate chaos, and in a city where neighborhoods can shift overnight – or even disappear off the map entirely – Joy Community has survived.
There are no five-dollar coffees or fancy condos here; instead, you’ll find a place built to last – one rooted in neighborhood pride and civic duty.
So whether you’re buying your first home or looking for somewhere that still feels like old Detroit, Joy Community is worth your consideration when home shopping.
Agents Specializing in this Area
Transit
Airport
Detroit Metro Wayne County
Bus
Plymouth & Asbury Park
Bus
Joy & Mettetal
Bus
Chicago & Montrose
Bus
Southfield & Cathedral
Bus
Joy & Grandmont
Bus
Joy & 15610
Bus
Chicago & Mettetal
Crime and Safety
| 1 – Low Crime, 10 – High Crime | Joy Community | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 10 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 7 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 9 | 4 |
| Robbery | 7 | 4 |
| Burglary | 6 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 6 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Joy Community Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Joy Community, Detroit sell after 83 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The median sale price for homes in Joy Community, Detroit over the last 12 months is $45,000, down 15% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
| Median List Price | Median Sale Price | Median Single Family Sale Price | Median Change From 1st List Price |
| $60,000 | $45,000 | $55,000 | 12% |
| Last 12 months Home Sales | Median Home Sale Price YoY Change | Average Price Per Sq Ft | |
| 52 | -15% | $63 |
Neighborhood Facts
| Number of Homes in Neighborhood | Number of Homes for Sale |
| 2,272 | 12 |
| Median Year Built | Months of Supply |
| 1942 | 2.80 |
| Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft Below the national average | |
| 1,224 1,937 |
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 |
| 6,090 | 35 | 10 ppl/acre | 29.5% 23.8% |
| Population over 65 On par with the national average | |||
| 14.9% 19.1% |
Finances
| Median Household Income Significantly below the national average | Average Household Income |
| $38,016 $71,702 | $43,223 |
Education and Workforce
| High School Graduates | College Graduates Below the national average | Advanced Degrees | % Population in Labor Force Below the national average |
| 78.8% | 6.3% 34.1% | 2.3% | 53% 65.1% |
Weather
| Annual Precipitation | Average Winter Low Temperature | Average Summer High Temperature | Annual Snowfall |
| 30” | 20°F | 83°F | 38” |
Area Factors
49
/ 100
46
/ 100
42
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
