Southwest Detroit
Neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan
Wayne County 48209, 48210, 48216
C Neighborhood Grade
6.4 Neighborhood Score
$125,341
Average Value
$110
Average Price per Sq Ft
Culture and Community in Detroit’s 48209, 48210, and 48216
Few places in Detroit pulse as strongly as Southwest Detroit in the 48209, 48210, and 48216 ZIP codes, a cultural mosaic of historic architecture, working-class roots, and some of the most vibrant street life in all of Michigan.
From freshly made tortillas on Vernor to colorful murals covering entire city blocks, Southwest Detroit merges heritage with hustle, tradition with transformation, making it a lived experience, not just a neighborhood.
District 6: The Westside Corridor – The Soul of Detroit
Southwest Detroit is the cultural and political heart of the west side.
District 6 includes Springwells, Hubbard Farms, and Corktown, and its leadership is focused on neighborhood empowerment, small business growth, and preserving the area’s rich character.
Those efforts center in Southwest Detroit, where neighborhood improvement programs range from bilingual business incubators to housing restoration grants.
In this district, community input drives development, and residents fight to keep control of the neighborhood’s evolution.
Sturdy Brick Homes, Affordable Pricing
Southwest Detroit has historic yet functional housing, from 1920s bungalows to brick duplexes and early 1900s two-story homes, many with porches, private driveways, and detached garages.
An average 3-bedroom 1920 bungalow goes for about $145,000 – that’s affordable charm with long-term equity.
These are houses set back from the street on shaded blocks, and many lots have large backyards.
Properties consist of restored, well-maintained homes and older structures that could use renovation.
High demand and cultural cachet mean homes in Southwest Detroit sell quickly – especially near Vernor, Bagley, and Junction.
Culture and Community Life
The cultural capital for Detroit’s Latinx population – especially Mexican American families that have shaped the area for decades – is Southwest Detroit, a stretch known as Mexican-town to many.
Here you’ll find:
Bakeries, panaderias, taquerias, and carnicerias.
Street festivals and parades, especially Cinco de Mayo and Dia de los Muertos.
Resistance, identity and shared roots are celebrated in murals and public art.
Apart from its Mexican roots, the area has large immigrant populations, multi-generation black Detroiters, and a steady stream of emerging artists, entrepreneurs, and young families drawn in by its authenticity and energy.
Schools and Education
Southwest Detroit is part of the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) with several charter and bilingual academies also in the direct area.
Top area schools include:
Cesar Chavez Academy: a high performing, culturally rich K-12 charter school.
Academy of the Americas: a DPSCD dual-language school for Spanish-English immersion from Pre-K through high school.
Western International High School: a community landmark serving generations of Southwest families.
The area also has several educational resources such as community centers, youth mentorship programs, and family services provided through churches and local nonprofits.
The Local Business and Dining Scene
Food and culture define Southwest Detroit.
Residents of the 48209, 48210, and 48216 ZIP codes overwhelmingly support local businesses, and it is one of the few Detroit neighborhoods where walkable retail thrives.
Highlights include:
El Rey de las Arepas, La Gloria Bakery, and Taqueria Lupita for traditional dishes.
The Honey Bee Market , an independent grocery with produce, spices, and goods from Latin America.
With Xochi’s Gift Shop, Clark Park, and Vernor’s pop-up art markets rounding out the local economy.
Why Southwest Detroit?
Southwest Detroit is Detroit’s most active and community-driven neighborhood within District 6, spanning the historically significant 48209, 48210, and 48216 ZIP codes.
It’s an area where you can still score a classic 3-bedroom 1920s home for around $145,000 in a culturally rich and walkable neighborhood with great local schools and diverse commerce.
Its diverse, dynamic, and rooted in Detroit’s immigrant and working-class traditions, making for one of the city’s most resilient, expressive, and tightly woven communities, with language, food, art, and family running through every block.
Whether you’re buying your first home, starting a business, or raising a family – Southwest Detroit offers more than real estate – it offers belonging.
Agents Specializing in this Area
Schools
-
Academy Of The Americas
Pre-K • Public
C-
2
-
Amelia Earhart Elementary-Middle School
Middle • Public
C-
3
-
Western International High School
High • Private
C
3
Transit
Airport
Windsor International
Bus
Vernor & Dragoon
Bus
Livernois & Otis
Bus
Michigan & 25th
Bus
Michigan & 24th
Bus
Vernor & Ferdinand
Bus
Vernor & Clark
Bus
Junction & Merritt
Crime and Safety
| 1 – Low Crime, 10 – High Crime | Southwest Detroit | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 7 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 7 | 4 |
| Robbery | 7 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Southwest Detroit Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Southwest Detroit, Detroit sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The median sale price for homes in Southwest Detroit, Detroit over the last 12 months is $143,000, down 1% 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 |
| $168,400 | $143,000 | $150,000 | 4% |
| Last 12 months Home Sales | Median Home Sale Price YoY Change | Average Price Per Sq Ft | |
| 36 | -1% | $110 |
Neighborhood Facts
| Number of Homes in Neighborhood | Median Year Built |
| 3,929 | 10 |
| Median Year Built | Months of Supply |
| 1908 | 3.30 |
| Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft Below the national average | Median Lot Size Sq Ft |
| 5,895 1,937 | 4,356 |
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 |
| 15,718 | 32 | 10 ppl/acre | 30.9% 23.8% |
| Population over 65 On par with the national average | |||
| 9.7% 19.1% |
Finances
| Median Household Income Significantly below the national average | Average Household Income |
| $39,467 $71,702 | $56,969 |
Education and Workforce
| High School Graduates | College Graduates Below the national average | Advanced Degrees Above the national average | % Population in Labor Force |
| 62% 89.1% | 11.9% 34.1% | 5.3% | 57.5% |
Weather
| Annual Precipitation | Average Winter Low Temperature | Average Summer High Temperature | Annual Snowfall |
| 30” | 20°F | 83°F | 38” |
Area Factors
65
/ 100
45
/ 100
81
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
