Section Image

Alger Heights

Alger Heights

Suburban Neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Kent County 49507
$295,693 Average Value
$191 Average Price per Sq Ft
6 Homes For Sale

Alger Heights has small-town living within Grand Rapids

Only 5 miles away from the heart of Grand Rapids, Alger Heights has an unexpectedly small-town feel. Streets are walkable, homes come with modest backyards and a downtown area has all the essentials — from a locally owned grocery store to a lively brewery. You’ll likely run into familiar faces when you head out for dinner, and kids can walk to local parks. The area’s vintage bungalows are small, so buyers looking for space might choose elsewhere to settle down. But Alger Heights has maintained relatively affordable prices even in Grand Rapids' skyrocketing market, making it one of the hottest spots in the city for families, young professionals and first-time homebuyers.

Alger Heights homes are conveniently located near shopping and dining options.
Alger Heights homes are conveniently located near shopping and dining options.
Alger Heights is a peaceful, tree-lined neighborhood with a strong sense of community.
Alger Heights is a peaceful, tree-lined neighborhood with a strong sense of community.
1/2

The kinds of homes available in Alger Heights

Most Alger Heights houses were built from the 1920s to the 1950s, with a charming array of bungalows, cottages and ranch-style homes. People tend to stay in the neighborhood for a while, and the properties that do come up for sale don't last long. “If a home is renovated with updates such as a kitchen or bathroom, they fly off the market very, very fast,” says Melissa Perrine, a Realtor with Bellabay Realty with several years of experience in the area. “If they have a decent-sized yard, they will probably sell within a week.”

Many Alger Heights bungalows feature inviting front porches and vintage charm.
Many Alger Heights bungalows feature inviting front porches and vintage charm.
Most neighborhood homes are modest in size, with equally compact yards.
Most neighborhood homes are modest in size, with equally compact yards.
1/2

Smaller properties mean more affordable prices

Homes in Alger Heights are small, but that means prices remain relatively affordable for Grand Rapids. Older properties start just below $200,000, and freshly renovated homes can reach the lower $400,000s. "The prices are great — it's a jumping-off point for first-time buyers who want the walkable convenience of East Grand Rapids without its higher price tag," says Brenda Pratt, Realtor with Crown Real Estate Partners, Inc, who has sold several homes in the neighborhood.

Local restaurants and shops are the neighborhood's heart

The Alger Heights business corridor is less than a block long — but it’s the heart of the neighborhood. "It's a city all on its own," Pratt says. "A perfect mini urban center and millennial haven." Some of the most notable spots include:
Ken's Fruit Market has tight aisles and only three cashiers, but the produce is fresh, and the cardboard boxes of serve-yourself candy are beloved by local kids.

  • Real Food Cafe has a vintage diner feel, with red vinyl booths and generous portions, but don’t be surprised if there’s a line on the weekends.
  • The Old Goat's upscale sandwiches and burgers draw people from all over the city, and a live piano player often adds to the dinnertime ambiance.
  • Brass Ring Brewing is a brewpub known for its small-batch craft beers, from-scratch food and friendly neighborly atmosphere.
There's also a barber shop, a hardware store, a pediatric office, a dance studio and more. "We have one of the most diverse shopping centers in the city — and the people here really care about shopping local," says Ken Bryan, the owner of Making Thyme Kitchen, which sells healthy heat-and-eat meals. "There's a closeness to the businesses here — I get referrals from across the street all the time. It's like that in the neighborhood, too. The people who were born and raised here, their kids choose to live here too…I feel like that tells you something about a place."

Family-friendly community in Alger Heights

The sense of community in Alger Heights is undeniable. “You will walk down the sidewalk, and people will wave 'Hi' — it’s just a super friendly area,” Perrine says. An active Facebook group plans garage sales, and it’s a common sight to see kids heading over to Alger Park’s playground and splash pad in the summer. Alger Heights also has several special events, including:
Eastern & Alger Popup Market, a monthly market from June to October showcasing local businesses, food vendors and artisans

  • Alger Heights Halloween 5K, a beloved tradition with costume contests and a post-race festival drawing hundreds of spectators and runners
  • Seymour Branch Library, where patrons attend book clubs, outdoor storytimes and arts activities at the monthly “crafternoons”
  • Neighbor Night at Brass Ring Brewing, a chance for locals to dine together at a community table

A local middle school and other education options

Along with all the small businesses, the center of the neighborhood is home to Alger Middle School, part of Grand Rapids Public Schools. Many families choose to send their kids to the nearby private schools, including the highly rated Grand Rapids Christian High School. Students can also apply to attend schools in nearby districts through Michigan’s Schools of Choice program. Admission into high-demand districts like East Grand Rapids Public Schools can be competitive and is typically based on a lottery.

Ottawa Hills High School is less than a mile from Alger Heights.
Ottawa Hills High School is less than a mile from Alger Heights.
Alger Middle School is located in the heart of the Alger Heights neighborhood.
Alger Middle School is located in the heart of the Alger Heights neighborhood.
1/2

Close to downtown Grand Rapids and 28th Street shopping

The neighborhood is a bit far from major highways, but you can still hop on Route 131 to make it to Downtown Grand Rapids in about 10 to 15 minutes. You’re also right next to 28th Street, a bustling corridor that leads over to the Woodland Mall, several large grocery stores and a huge selection of restaurants and big-box stores.

Catherine Lashley
Written By
Catherine Lashley
Jonathan Fairfield
Photography Contributed By
Jonathan Fairfield
Antoine Allen
Video By
Antoine Allen

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Gerald R Ford International

18 min drive

Bus

Eastern & Ottillia (Sb)

Bus

Burton & Newark (Eb)

Bus

Eastern & Burton (Nb)

Bus

Burton & Cornelius (Wb)

Bus

28th & Eastern - East (Wb)

Bus

Eastern & Mayhew Wood (Nb)

Bus

Burton & Nelson (Wb)

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Alger Heights neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Alger Heights US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
1,321
Number of Homes for Sale
6
Median Year Built
1942
Months of Supply
0.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,362
Significantly below the national average
1,932
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,542
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,445

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
1
Median Rent
$1,150
Median Condo Rent
$1,150
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,150

Demographics

Total Population
3,969
Median Age
36
Population Density
8 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.7%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$71,196
Below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$77,884

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
94.8%
College Graduates
43.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.2%
% Population in Labor Force
75.3%
Above the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
46''

Area Factors

Fairly friendly

Bikeability®

50 / 100

Fairly friendly

Walkability®

50 / 100

Somewhat friendly

Transit®

30 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Alger Heights