Tucked away in Opossum Valley in west Birmingham is the Ensley community and its small neighborhood, Ensley Highlands. The area is named after its founder Enoch Ensley and was once home to Ensley Works, an open-hearth steel plant that dominated the area in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Much of the community was built on that steel plant, with many original residents being workers at the plant. Once Ensley Works closed in the 1970s, the community experienced a bit of a decline as much of its economy depended on the steel plant. Today various attempts at revitalization has taken place though Ensley’s downtown area remains largely vacant.
Find a beautiful place to worship in Ensley Highlands.
Enjoy the friendly atmosphere in Ensley Highlands.
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Historic hillside houses
“There are a lot of older, historic homes with a lot of curb appeal,” says Brad Bozeman, a Realtor with ARC Realty Cahaba Heights. “Lots of single-family homes built in the 40s and 50s.” There are also plenty of renters in the area. Some housing styles found include Craftsman-style, Minimal Traditional and Colonial revivals. Housing prices start at $47,500 for a low-rise condominium unit to $350,000 for an updated Tudor-revival house. Houses built into the hillside tend to be raised to match the landscape, and often feature a built-in garage on the lower level.
Admire the beautiful hillside homes in Ensley Highlands.
Enjoy the value added to Ensley Highlands by this large home.
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Parks with playgrounds
Booklovers can pick up their next read at the Birmingham Public Library, a short drive away on Avenue West. For some outdoor fun, spend the afternoon shooting hoops at Exchange Park, or playing at Highland Park's playground and swimming pool. Local athletes flock to Ensley Park and Recreation Center, for its courts and fields.
Slide the day away at Fairview Park in Ensley Highlands.
Play some tennis at Ensley Park in Ensley Highlands.
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Education in Ensley
Area students can attend Minor Elementary School, Bush Hills STEAM Academy and Jackson-Olin High School. Minor Elementary is within walking distance of several homes in the neighborhood, or a quick five-minute drive away. The school has an overall Niche grade of C-minus. Bush Hills Academy and Jackson-Olin High are less than 10 minutes away by car, with the former having an overall Niche grade of D-plus. Jackson-Olin High has one of the largest Career Technical Education Departments in the district, geared towards helping students explore career choices while they are still enrolled. It also offers the Academy of Health Services for students interested in pursuing a degree or career in that field. The school has an overall Niche grade of C-minus.
Minor Elementary School serves students in the Ensley Highlands community.
Bush Hills STEAM Academy provides unique learning opportunities for kids in Ensley Highlands.
Jackson-Olin High School is a great place to learn for kids in Ensley Highlands.
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Getting around
That said, many who move to Ensley Highlands do so for its convenient proximity to Downtown Birmingham. A quick drive on Interstate 20 and 59 or on 3rd Avenue, will take residents Downtown in less than 15 minutes. The neighborhood is very walkable, perfect for a morning or afternoon stroll, though a car is necessary to get to other parts of the city.
Hop on a bus and get where you need to go in Ensley Highlands.
Feel welcomed when you visit Ensley Highlands.
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Plenty of nearby shopping
Five Points West Shopping Center is close by, with retail stores like Citi Trends and Foot Locker when locals want to update their wardrobes. A couple of quick, nearby grocery shopping options include King City Food and Food Giant Meat Depot. Residents can also reach Piggly Wiggly at Berney Points or in Midfield by car in about 10 minutes. In 20 minutes, residents can get into Walmart Neighborhood Market, Publix Super Market at Edgewood, Wildwood Walmart Supercenter or Sam’s Club. East of the Mississippi Diner is the place to go for some good Southern comfort food. They’ve got an extensive daily breakfast menu, a lunch menu with specific offerings on certain days of the week, and a menu dedicated to deep South grilled dishes, like fried or grilled seafood and jumbo-sized burgers. When locals need to relax after a long day of work, they can hang out with friends at 2206 Bar & Lounge, where they can enjoy drinks in a laidback atmosphere.
Find at good deal at Citi Trends near Ensley Highlands.
Shop until you drop at the Five Points West Shopping Center near Ensley Highlands.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Bozeman and Minor Group,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Ensley Park
Baseball/Softball
Football
Grills
Fairview Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Picnic Area
Erskine Hawkins Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Events
Exchange Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Central Park
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Tennis
Highlands Park
Baseball/Softball
Pool
Playground
Transit
Airport
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International
15 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Ensley Highlands
US
Homicide
8
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Ensley Highlands Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Ensley Highlands, Birmingham sell after 49 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Ensley Highlands, Birmingham over the last 12 months is $87,250, up 34% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Attention Investors-looking for great addition to your rental portfolio? Look no further as this home has been recently renovated. Located close to Interstate, near shopping, schools, etc. 2 bed 1 bath home is perfect for a steady income flow for your investment portfolio. With both the roof and HVAC system 2 years old per owner, this has been a very consistent rental property for years while
Welcome to this charming 4-bedroom 1 bathroom home with a completely renovated interior and exterior ready for its next chapter. This one-story residence offers over 1,300 sq ft of living space with smooth ceilings, hardwood floors, and updates galore. Located in The Highlands, just minutes from Bush Hills Academy and Jackson-Olin High.
Charming 3BR/2BA Home in Ensley Highlands Well-maintained and move-in ready! This spacious brick home features a large living and dining area, updated kitchen with new tile, and a finished lower level with a second kitchen—ideal for a guest suite, home office, or additional living space. Enjoy outdoor living with two covered porches, a rear patio, and a carport with plenty of parking.
Discover your perfect home at Westbury Apartments in the charming Ensley Highlands area of Birmingham. Our spacious and recently upgraded Studio, 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartment homes offer a tranquil living experience with floor-to-ceiling windows, open floor plans, and off-street parking. Nestled among historic homes on tree-lined streets, Westbury provides a serene atmosphere just minutes away
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Bozeman and Minor Group,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
4,064
Median Age
42
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$31,512
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$40,554
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
85%
College Graduates
14.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.5%
% Population in Labor Force
45.8%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
57''
Average Winter Low Temperature
35°F
Average Summer High Temperature
91°F
Annual Snowfall
1''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
20/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
44/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
20/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
