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Irondale

Irondale

Located in Jefferson County

$364,401 Average Value
$205 Average Price per Sq Ft
53 Homes For Sale

The close-knit community is home to affordable homes and unique local businesses

"If there is such a thing as complete happiness, it is knowing that you are in the right place," wrote "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe" author Fannie Flagg. Flagg was inspired by the tranquility and close-knit character of her hometown of Irondale, less than 10 miles outside of Birmingham. Along with the cafe that inspired the hit book and film, this city of 14,000 attracts locals and tourists alike with its historic town center--including the famous train viewing platform--numerous antique stores and parks. Add to that the secluded, rural feel surrounding the downtown and the proximity to Birmingham, and Irondale offers a quiet yet lively community to call home.

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Irondale Cafe

Irondale Cafe served as the inspiration for the "Whistle-Stop Café" in "Fried Green Tomatoes," named for its proximity to the city centers trainyard. "Locals help support that business, people working in the area love it," says EXP Realtor Matthew Farris, and has been serving up homestyle southern dishes since 1928. South of Downtown along Highway 78, locals enjoy smoked brisket at Golden Rule BBQ, the oldest restaurant in Alabama. Further south is the Grant Mills Shopping Center, featuring home goods retailers and chain restaurants.

The exterior of Irondale Cafe.
The exterior of Irondale Cafe.
The interior of Irondale Cafe.
The interior of Irondale Cafe.
Several men head to a restaurant at Grants Mill Station shopping center.
Several men head to a restaurant at Grants Mill Station shopping center.
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A train at the train watching platform.
A train at the train watching platform.

Local history celebrated with vibrant music performances and carnival games

Irondale's history and influence is celebrated every October during the Whistle Stop Festival. The community is populated with vintage fire engines, carnival games, artisans and musicians selling their work and performing throughout the day. Beacon Park hosts "Jazz in the Park," an annual free concert held during the summer showcasing local and national jazz talents.

Affordable and spacious homes in and around Downtown Irondale

Downtown Irondale features older and more established houses, while the suburban areas to the south and east feature a mix of established and new construction. "There's so much variety in styles and price points for homebuyers," says EXP Realtor Matthew Farris. Farris goes to speak on the affordability of Irondale's homes in relation to surrounding areas, saying that "you buy a home in Irondale, you're getting double the space you would get for the same prices outside the neighborhood." Homes closer to Irondale's City Center and with smaller home lots cost between $100,000 to $400,000, while homes with greater acreage range from $500,000 to $700,000 or more.

A residential street in the Irondale neighborhood.
A residential street in the Irondale neighborhood.
A residential street in the Irondale neighborhood.
A residential street in the Irondale neighborhood.
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Head start schools in Jefferson County

Public school students are served by the Jefferson County School District, beginning their academic careers at primary schools such as Grantswood Community Elementary. This school has an overall C-rating on Niche and teaches from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Students move on to intermediate and secondary institutions such as Irondale Middle and Shades Valley High School. Both schools have at least an overall C-plus rating on Niche. Shades Valley High has excellent academic programs, including specialized schools, which help students get a head start in career fields such as theatre or business and finance.

The front entrance of Irondale Community School.
The front entrance of Irondale Community School.
The front entrance of Irondale Middle School.
The front entrance of Irondale Middle School.
The front entrance of Shades Valley High School.
The front entrance of Shades Valley High School.
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Valley ball parks and vistas from Hawk's View

Irondale has several public facilities and green spaces frequented by visitors and locals. Irondale's Public Library houses dozens of book and DVD titles and hosts events such as book readings and live music performances. Beacon Park features playgrounds, picnic areas and a large field, ringed by a paved walking path. Ellard Park is along Irondale's 1st Avenue, offering almost 10 acres of quiet, rolling green space where locals relax and enjoy the day. Baseball enthusiasts and hikers alike frequent Ruffner Mountain Park, which houses an expansive ballpark, a dog park and a section of the Appalachian Trail. Trails snake through mountainside forests up to Hawk's View Overlook, offering panoramic views of Irondale and the Birmingham skyline.

Women walk a dog at Beacon Park, located in Irondale
Women walk a dog at Beacon Park, located in Irondale
An aerial view of Shea Brothers Softball Complex.
An aerial view of Shea Brothers Softball Complex.
One of the fields at Ruffner Baseball Park.
One of the fields at Ruffner Baseball Park.
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An aerial view of the train watching station and Whistlestop District.
An aerial view of the train watching station and Whistlestop District.

Driving downtown along North 1st Avenue

Real Estate Investor and licensed agent with EXP Realty Matthew Farris says Irondale "is a great value, homes with more bang for your buck in terms of land than other communities, plus you got great proximity to Avondale and Downtown Birmingham." Irondale's town center and the streets surrounding North 1st Avenue are reasonably walkable. However, the rest of the area is best traversed by car.

Tina Davis
Written By
Tina Davis
Griffin Holmes
Photography Contributed By
Griffin Holmes
Alex Finneran
Video By
Alex Finneran

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Kevin Jones, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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

Area Facts

Number of Homes
4,061
Number of Homes for Sale
53
Median Year Built
1972
Months of Supply
3.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,648
Below the national average
1,931
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,327
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
11,761

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Apr 12
    Open Sun 2PM - 4PM

    1312 Laurence St, Irondale, AL 35210

    $309,999

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,140 Sq Ft
    • 1312 Laurence St
    • New 2 days ago

    Welcome to 1312 Laurence Street, a beautifully updated 3 bedroom, 2 bath home offering 1,140 sqft of thoughtfully designed living space. This property combines original charm with extensive modern improvements—truly move-in ready and meticulously maintained. Step inside to find inviting living and dining areas filled with natural light, a stylish kitchen with refinished cabinets, new backsplash,

    Matt Wallington ARC Realty Vestavia

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  • Sunday, Apr 12
    Open Sun 2PM - 4PM

    404 Rosewood St, Irondale, AL 35210

    $425,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,451 Sq Ft
    • 404 Rosewood St
    • New 5 days ago

    Located in the sought-after Crestline Gardens neighborhood, this precious home offers wonderful curb appeal and a rare garage addition, a unique feature for the area. Originally built in 1955, the home was extensively renovated after a tree fell in 2020. Today it lives and feels like a brand-new home. The renovation included the addition of a full bathroom and a walk-in closet to the master,

    Camille Berry RealtySouth-MB-Crestline

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  • Sunday, Apr 12
    Open Sun 1PM - 3PM

    100 Alpine St, Irondale, AL 35210

    $425,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,835 Sq Ft
    • 100 Alpine St
    • New 8 days ago

    This stunning, fully renovated home has been thoughtfully redesigned from top to bottom, offering peace of mind and stylish living all in one. Step inside to discover an open and inviting floor plan filled with natural light, fresh paint, and beautiful new flooring throughout. The completely updated kitchen features sleek countertops, new cabinetry, and modern fixtures—perfect for both everyday

    Sean Zweifel EXIT Realty Birmingham

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Irondale Has More Owners

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
12
Median Rent
$1,950
Median Single Family Home Rent
$1,895
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$1,775
Median Townhouse Rent
$1,900
Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$1,900

Demographics

Total Population
12,596
Median Age
40
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$65,853
Below the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$85,365

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
93%
On par with the national average
89%
College Graduates
40.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.9%
% Population in Labor Force
65.3%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
57''
Average Winter Low Temperature
35°F
Average Summer High Temperature
91°F
Annual Snowfall
2''

Area Factors

Not friendly

Bike Score®®

10 / 100

Not friendly

Walk Score®®

10 / 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.

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.
Irondale