Oakwood Heights
Neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan
Wayne County 48217
A- Neighborhood Grade
7.6 Neighborhood Score
$47,600
Average Value
$39
Average Price per Sq Ft
Life in Detroit’s 48217 ZIP Code: Community at the Crossroads
Oakwood Heights is among Detroit’s most unique and storied neighborhoods, located in the 48217 ZIP code at the city’s southwestern edge.
The Rouge River, Interstate 75, and an industrial corridor define this hardy community that has long been in the shadow of industry – but remains a proud, generational community with a strong identity.
Even though much of Oakwood Heights is being transformed by environmental challenges and buyouts, its legacy echoes through the few residential blocks that remain and the families who refuse to be erased.
District 6: Environmental Justice and Preservation
Oakwood Heights is a District 6 neighborhood where environmental activism and civic engagement seamlessly intersect close to Springwells, Hubbard Farms, and portions of Mexicantown.
It’s leadership has long been an advocate for sustainability, clean air, and resident protection.
Oakwood Heights has specifically drawn national attention because of its close proximity to major industrial operations and for its residents’ ongoing struggle for environmental equity.
That said, the neighborhood is still a strong model of grassroots organizing, from local leaders and organizations urging monthly clean-up efforts to community buyouts and health impact studies.
A Neighborhood Reshaped
Recent years have seen the residential footprint of Oakwood Heights shrink with property acquisitions by Marathon Petroleum and other major corporations.
Once a full-fledged residential area with churches, corner stores, and small businesses, Oakwood Heights is now mostly industrial with a few homes remaining.
Those who have stayed cite family roots and a strong desire to keep space in a place that has meant so much to so many, with the few remaining homes usually passed down through generations or maintained by long-time residents determined to save what is left.
Industrial proximity means that housing prices are not consistent in Oakwood Heights, but homes that do come on the market are usually under $50,000 due to environmental and zoning restrictions.
History: From Working-Class to Watchdog
Oakwood Heights originally housed employees of local factories, such as the Ford Rouge Plant, and other steel and chemical operations.
Families came to Oakwood Heights in the middle of the 20th century to be near work and to experience small-town life within city limits.
Later, industrial encroachment and concerns about air quality, soil contamination, and noise pollution altered the neighborhood’s tone.
In the 2010s, buyout programs led to the complete demolition of entire streets, leaving a patchwork of homes surrounded by chain-link fencing and open lots.
Still, oral histories, community records, and advocacy by remaining residents preserve the area’s cultural memory.
Schools and Public Services
Oakwood Heights has few school options today due to depopulation, but nearby neighborhoods serving District 6 families include:
Mark Twain School for Scholars, a good K-8 public school
Cesar Chavez Academy, a charter school network offering bilingual education
Western International High School, a large public school serving most of District 6 with strong academics and arts programs
Services are somewhat limited within Oakwood Heights, but nearby neighborhoods provide most essentials, and residents frequently travel to Southwest Detroit, Melvindale, or Lincoln Park for shopping, dining, and healthcare.
What’s left of 48217
Detroit’s industrial expansion continues, but Oakwood Heights is spiritually and symbolically important.
It’s an area where churches, memorial parks, and grassroots environmental groups still meet and organize, and environmental watchdog groups keep the area on the radar for journalists, policymakers, and activists.
Nearby, Fort Street Bridge Park honors Oakwood Heights’ labor legacy, and Rouge Park and the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge show how nature can survive amid concrete and smokestacks.
Why Oakwood Heights Matters
Oakwood Heights is in District 6, an area of environmental advocacy and community resilience.
It’s part of the historically rich but industrially impacted 48217 ZIP code, standing tall as a symbol of Detroit’s environmental justice movement.
Remaining residents have deep generational ties and cultural memory, keeping them in Oakwood Heights, making it a unique case study in urban displacement and resistance in the face of policy negotiations.
Agents Specializing in this Area
Schools
No Schools found.
Transit
Airport
Windsor International
Bus
Fort St & Schaefer Hwy
Bus
Oakwood Blvd & Fort St
Bus
Dix Hwy & Dearborn Ave
Bus
Schaefer Hwy & South St
Bus
Fort St & Woodmere
Bus
Dix Hwy & Waterman
Bus
Fort St & Livernois
Crime and Safety
| 1 – Low Crime, 10 – High Crime | Oakwood Heights | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 7 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 6 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Oakwood Heights Demographics and Home Trends
Homes in Oakwood Heights sell on average after 65 days on the market Median Sale Price (Last 12 Months): $47,600 Year-over-Year Change: ↑ 4.6% from previous year
Home Trends
| Median Price (12 Mo) | Median Single Family Price | Average Price Per Sq Ft | Number of Homes for Sale |
| $47,600 | $47,600 | $39 | 6 |
| Last 12 months Home Sales | Median List Price | ||
| 5 | $52,000 | 4.6% |
Neighborhoods Facts
| Number of Homes in Neighborhood | Median Year Built |
| 1,200 | 1950 |
| Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft Below the national average | Median Lot Size Sq Ft |
| 1,180 1,937 | 3,920 |
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 |
| 16,447 | 39 | 5,315 people/sq mi | 25.6% 23.8% |
| Population over 65 On par with the national average | |||
| 18.5% 19.1% |
Finances
| Median Household Income Significantly below the national average | Average Household Income |
| $35,308 $78,538 | $119,000 |
Education and Workforce
| High School Graduates | College GraduateBelow the national average | Advanced Degrees | % Population in Labor Force Below the national average |
| 88.9% | 23.6% 34.1% | 11.1% | 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
63
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
