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Poletown East
Suburban Neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan
Wayne County 48211
F Neighborhood Grade
4.4 Neighborhood Score
$87,271
Average Value
$79
Average Price per Sq Ft
Reinvention with a Backbone in 48211
Not far northeast of downtown Detroit, among the remnants of long-shuttered factories and the sounds of planned redevelopment, is Poletown East โ a neighborhood with more stories than streetlights and more raw potential than polish.
Poletown East is a rough, layered neighborhood in District 5, within the 48211 ZIP code.
It does not beg for attention โ it receives it slowly โ one reclaimed home, one mural, one block club meeting at a time.
Where Tracks Meet Transit: Poletown’s Urban Grid
Bounded by I-94 North, Gratiot Avenue South, Mt. Elliott Street to the west, and Chene Street to the east, Poletown is situated between some of the city’s most important neighborhoods:
ยท To the south: the bustling Eastern Market
ยท To the north: Wisconsin Junction & The New North End.
ยท To the east: McDougall-Hunt and Forest Park
Itโs also just minutes from Midtown and Lafayette Park, downtown, Eastern Market, and major roads and freeways.
Whether you are a commuter, cyclist, or creative needing affordable studio space and elbow room – Poletown East is riding the next wave of Detroit innovation.
A Name, A Legacy, A Fault Line
Poletown Easton neighborhood is one with scars โ but also pride.
It took its name in the early 1900s as thousands of Polish immigrants settled around Catholic churches, corner taverns, and the local factories in the 48211 ZIP code.
The city then bulldozed much of the neighborhood in the 1980s to accommodate the GM Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant โ a move that forced thousands of residents from the once-close-knit neighborhood.
What remains is a neighborhood that refused to vanish.
Some blocks contain remnants of old Polish flats.
Others have their arms open for something else.
But look around Poletown today and you will find mural paintings on disused walls, new fencing around rehabbed homes, and gardens growing where houses once stood.
It is pulsating, not polished.
Real Estate in Flux in Detroitโs District 5
Poletown East is a neighborhood flush with housing stock. Here, you can expect to find:
ยท Wood-frame bungalows with wide porches and historical trim
ยท Two-family homes in need of restoration
ยท Colonial Revivals with deep lots and old-growth trees
And yes โ a few vacant lots and homes in need of total gut jobs.
As for pricing, fixer-uppers start at about $6,000-$20,000 if you have the tools and the tenacity, while move-in-ready or fully renovated homes near revitalized corridors are available between $150,000 and $300,000.
Here, sweat equity rules โ but the reward for investors and DIYers is huge if done right.
Parks, Greenways, and Room to Roam
Green space in Poletown East is growing โ literally.
Dean Savage Memorial Park has views of the skyline and space for picnics, dogs, or just enjoying the great outdoors.
St. Aubin Greenway links Midtown, Eastern Market, and the riverfront via a pedestrian walkway.
While a short bike ride brings you to Belle Isle, Dequindre Cut, or the Riverwalk.
Some locals also use vacant lots as gardens or art installations.
Culinary Proximity: Bordering the Best Bites
Poletown East sits on the edge of two of Detroit’s hottest culinary zones: the North Side and the South Side.
The Eastern Market, located just a few blocks away, brings brunch at Supino Pizzeria, coffee at Germack, and vegan soul food at Detroit Vegan-centric.
Milwaukee Junction and New Center are home to Freya, Oak & Reel, and an emerging collection of upscale dining and bars.
With the occasional food truck, event pop-up, or DIY BBQ spot occasionally popping up on the block as well.
Errands and Essentials: Basics Covered
For groceries, hardware, and essentials, residents of 48211 go to:
Meijer Rivertown Market or Whole Foods Midtown.
Eastern Market for fresh, local produce and meats.
Dollar stores, corner marts, and the hardware shops on Gratiot and Mack Avenues.
With more retail expected to move in as foot traffic and residential occupancy increase.
Learning and Growing: Schools within District 5
Poletown East has schools served by the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) such as:
the Michigan Mathematics & Science Academy (C+ rating on Niche)
Bennett Elementary School (D + rating on Niche)
Chrysler Elementary School (B rating on Niche)
With local charter and private school options being:
Detroit Edison Public School Academy (DEPSA).
Universities Prep Schools (Midtown)
The St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School
The Detroit Cristo Rey High School
As for extracurricular offerings, Poletown Easton youth are well served thanks to the above schools and local nonprofits, with the Eastern Market ecosystem including arts, gardening, tech, and environmental education โ a little-known benefit to families and youth looking for something more than the typical classroom when it comes to learning.
Mobility and Access: Prime Positioning
Transit wins big in Poletown East:
Driving is convenient due to its close proximity to I-94 and I-75.
Buses from DDOT and SMART serve Chene, Gratiot, and Mack.
Downtown, Eastern Market, and Midtown QLine stops are within walking distance.
Walking infrastructure is also improving, with more sidewalks, streetlights, and green corridors being constructed.
For the adventurous and well-placed, this is a perfect car-optional neighborhood.
Community Pulse: Raw, Restless, and Rising
Revitalization in Poletown East comes from within thanks to its devoted residents.
Itโs a neighborhood where block clubs clear lots, organize events, and maintain gardens.
One where artisans and homesteaders turn empty buildings into galleries, studios, and solid homes, and organizations like MACC Development and Jefferson East Inc. focus on public safety, land reuse, and beautification.
Here, the challenges are real โ blight, dumping, and absentee landlords โ but with gritty optimism and a culture of residents showing up with tools in hand ready to work, Poletown East is well on its way.
Poletown East Is Not for Everyone โ And That’s the Point
Forget granite countertops, manicured lawns, and turnkey comfort – Poletown East will challenge you.
If you see opportunity in the ruins, beauty in rough edges, value in sweat and stories, Poletown East in ZIP code 48211 is the Detroit neighborhood to come to build something that matters โ a place of history, heartbreak, and rebirth.
It’s not finished.
It’s not easy.
But it might just be where the future begins.
Agents Specializing in this Area
Schools
No Schools found.
Transit
Airport
Windsor International
Bus
Warren & St Aubin
Bus
Mt Elliott & Harper
Bus
Chene & I-94 Service Dr
Bus
Harper & Lucky Pl
Bus
I-94 Service Dr & E Grand Bl
Bus
Mt Elliott & 6515
Bus
Chene & Hendrie
Crime and Safety
| 1 – Low Crime, 10 – High Crime | Poletown East | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 9 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 6 | 4 |
| Robbery | 7 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Poletown East, Detroit sell after 46 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The average sale price for homes in Poletown East, Detroit over the last 12 months is $65,600, down 9% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
| Median Price (12 Mo) | Median Single Family Price | Average Price Per Sq Ft | Number of Homes for Sale |
| $42,700 | $42,700 | $79 | 1 |
| Last 12 months Home Sales | Months of Supply | Median List Price | Median Discount From 1st List Price |
| 5 | 2.40 | $60,000 | 16% |
| Median Home Sale Price YoY Change | |||
| 42% |
Home Facts
| Number of Homes in Neighborhood | Median Year Built |
| 673 | 1910 |
| Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft Below the national average | Median Lot Size Sq Ft |
| 2,607 1,937 | 3,920 |
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
3621 Frederick ST
$189,900
- 4 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2220 Sq Ft
Untitled Listing
$28,800
- Beds
- Baths
- 0 Sq Ft
Untitled Listing
$28,800
- Beds
- Baths
- 0 Sq Ft
3619 E Ferry ST
$15,000
- Beds
- Baths
- Sq Ft
3613 E Ferry ST
$15,000
- Beds
- Baths
- Sq Ft
3603 E Ferry ST
$15,000
- Beds
- Baths
- Sq Ft
3625 E Ferry ST
$15,000
- Beds
- Baths
- Sq Ft
3607 E Ferry St ST
$15,000
- Beds
- Baths
- Sq Ft
3645 E PALMER ST
$11,500
- Beds
- Baths
- Sq Ft
5357 MITCHELL ST
$17,250
- Beds
- Baths
- Sq Ft
5347 MITCHELL ST
$17,250
- Beds
- 1 Baths
- Sq Ft
5361 MITCHELL ST
$17,250
- Beds
- Baths
- Sq Ft
3637 E PALMER ST
$11,500
- Beds
- 2 Baths
- Sq Ft
6409 THEODORE ST
$15,000
- 0 Beds
- Baths
- Sq Ft
3398 MEDBURY ST
$10,000
- 0 Beds
- 1 Baths
- Sq Ft
2941 E WARREN AVE
$900,000
- Beds
- 24 Baths
- 29400 Sq Ft
2941 E WARREN AVE
$900,000
- Beds
- Baths
- 29400 Sq Ft
See All Homes
Average Home Value
72.01
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 |
| 1,714 | 45 | 2 ppl/acre | 19.1% 23.8% |
| Population over 65 On par with the national average | |||
| 23.7% 19.1% |
Finances
| Median Household Income Significantly below the national average | Average Household Income |
| $40,918 $71,702 | $53,459 |
Education and Workforce
| High School Graduates | College Graduates Below the national average | Advanced Degrees | % Population in Labor Force Below the national average |
| 85.3% | 10.8% 34.1% | 4.4% | 34.8% 65.1% |
Weather
| Annual Precipitation | Average Winter Low Temperature | Average Summer High Temperature | Annual Snowfall |
| 30” | 20ยฐF | 83ยฐF | 38” |
