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Gate City

Gate City

Suburban Neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama

Jefferson County 35212
$97,043 Average Value

Mountainside living in Bham

Situated in the artsy East Lake community of Birmingham is Gate City. The neighborhood gets its name from being the first part of Birmingham that one enters when traveling through Red Gap, a pass through Red Mountain that connects the area to Irondale. The Marks Village housing project, owned and operated by the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD), has been a part of the neighborhood since the 1950s. Living in the East Lake area has benefits that include proximity to the farmers' market, Ruffner Mountain and the arts.

Ranchers and housing projects

Ranch-style homes dominate the neighborhood, often with neatly manicured lawns and quiet streets. Otherwise, the Marks Village housing project consists of 500 units in deep red, square brick buildings. Home prices in the area range from $50,000 to $150,000.
Each street in Gate features a variety of different home styles.
Each street in Gate features a variety of different home styles.
Many Gate City residents keep their lawns well-managed and even adorn them with gardens and benches.
Many Gate City residents keep their lawns well-managed and even adorn them with gardens and benches.
Ranch style homes can be found in Gate City's neighborhood.
Ranch style homes can be found in Gate City's neighborhood.
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Football legacy at Woodlawn High

Children in the area attend Henry J. Oliver Elementary School, which has an overall Niche grade of C. Next, kids attend W.E. Putnam Middle School, which has an overall Niche grade of C-minus. Neighborhood teens attend Woodlawn High School, with an overall Niche grade of C-minus. Alum Tony Nathan was the first African American football player at the school. Birmingham native filmmakers, the Erwin Brothers, brought his story to the big screen in their 2015 film "Woodlawn."
Putnam Middle School is a middle school in the Birmingham City Schools system located on a 9.5-acre campus, minutes from Gate City.
Putnam Middle School is a middle school in the Birmingham City Schools system located on a 9.5-acre campus, minutes from Gate City.
Oliver Elementary School, which kids of Gate City can attend, is named for Henry Oliver, a former principal of Patterson Elementary School.
Oliver Elementary School, which kids of Gate City can attend, is named for Henry Oliver, a former principal of Patterson Elementary School.
Woodlawn High School is a large high school serving about 600 students, including Gate City kids, in the Birmingham Public School System.
Woodlawn High School is a large high school serving about 600 students, including Gate City kids, in the Birmingham Public School System.
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Hit a home run at Lewis Park

For sports facilities, residents can visit Lewis Park, on the neighborhood's northern edge. Lewis Park features a baseball field, a multipurpose green field, a playground for children, basketball courts and a swimming pool. Ruffner Mountain's trails are just east of Gate City. The 1,038-acre nature preserve offers several scenic hiking and biking trails. In the spring, fragrant hydrangeas bloom, providing a pretty backdrop for visitors exploring the park. Rolling hills, wooded city streets, and Birmingham's downtown cityscape are all visible from Hawk's Eye Overlook. Access the overlook via the Quarry trail, which starts at the Nature Center and is a roughly 3.5-mile round-trip hike. The Quarry Trail winds through the forest, so hikers can easily spot local wildflowers, birds and other wildlife. Remnants of the Sloss-Sheffield Mines are scattered along the trail, a little slice of the Magic City's incredible industrial history.
Lewis Park is a 3.25-acre public park located next to the Marks Village housing project in Gate City.
Lewis Park is a 3.25-acre public park located next to the Marks Village housing project in Gate City.
Lewis Park features a playground for Gate City children to play on.
Lewis Park features a playground for Gate City children to play on.
Lewis Park underwent a $150,000 renovation in 2010, with $25,000 from the Gate City Neighborhood Association's discretionary account.
Lewis Park underwent a $150,000 renovation in 2010, with $25,000 from the Gate City Neighborhood Association's discretionary account.
Lewis Park features basketball courts for Gate City residents to shoot hoops on.
Lewis Park features basketball courts for Gate City residents to shoot hoops on.
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Fried Green Tomatoes

When hunger strikes, locals flock to The Irondale Café, made famous by the 1991 film "Fried Green Tomatoes." The eatery has been serving traditional Southern cuisine since 1928. The East Lake Farmer's Market meets at East Lake United Methodist every Saturday morning. Residents can browse local craft vendors, baked goods and fresh produce while enjoying live music performances. Gate City neighbors the artsy East Lake community, which boasts the East Village Arts Collective. Made up of artists, musicians and the patrons that support them, this co-op hosts various community events like art exhibitions, workshops, concerts and free music lessons. Nearby is the Village East Shopping Center, which offers a Ross Dress for Less, Walmart Supercenter, CVS Pharmacy and Starbucks. For a more comprehensive selection of retail and dining options, the locally-owned restaurants, cafes, boutiques and breweries of Woodlawn and Avondale are just a short drive away.
The Irondale Cafe, located minutes away from Gate City features homestyle cooking that residents can sink their teeth into.
The Irondale Cafe, located minutes away from Gate City features homestyle cooking that residents can sink their teeth into.
Aldi is located close by to Gate City, providing residents with all their grocery needs.
Aldi is located close by to Gate City, providing residents with all their grocery needs.
The Irondale Cafe was the inspiration for the novel and film Fried Green Tomatoes, and is close to Gate City.
The Irondale Cafe was the inspiration for the novel and film Fried Green Tomatoes, and is close to Gate City.
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Take the number 17 bus

Public transit is readily available for locals wanting to get around, with the 17 Eastwood bus route running through the area. Residents are also a quick drive from Avondale, Woodlawn, Eastlake and downtown Birmingham.
Interstate 20 is located just south of Gate City, so nothing is out of reach for residents.
Interstate 20 is located just south of Gate City, so nothing is out of reach for residents.
Max Transit stops are located all across the Gate City neighborhood.
Max Transit stops are located all across the Gate City neighborhood.
Red Gap is a gap through Red Mountain connecting Gate City in Birmingham to Irondale.
Red Gap is a gap through Red Mountain connecting Gate City in Birmingham to Irondale.
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Crime

In recent years, HABD has been working on mitigating crime in the area, with a heightened initiative focusing on limiting access to the neighborhood. They're working with police officials to increase the area's safety by eliminating a dozen entry points into the community, making it harder for criminals to enter and exit the area quickly.
Rebecca Frankel
Written By
Rebecca Frankel
Griffin Holmes
Photography Contributed By
Griffin Holmes
Drew Webster
Video By
Drew Webster

Agents Specializing in this Area

  • Justin Marcus

    Justin Marcus

    Marcus Family Realty LLC

    (659) 207-9941

    133 Total Sales

    1 in Gate City

    $69,000 Price

    Justin Marcus
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  • Bozeman and Minor Group

    Bozeman and Minor Group

    ARC Realty Vestavia

    (659) 207-4276

    410 Total Sales

    1 in Gate City

    $30,500 Price

    Bozeman and Minor Group
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  • Chase Horton

    Chase Horton

    Real Broker LLC

    (205) 882-3053

    38 Total Sales

    1 in Gate City

    $149,900 Price

    Chase Horton
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  • Dane Howell

    Dane Howell

    RealtySouth-MB-Crestline

    (659) 207-5713

    100 Total Sales

    1 in Gate City

    $13,900 Price

    Dane Howell
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  • Gusty Gulas

    Gusty Gulas

    eXp Realty, LLC Central

    (659) 204-4758

    790 Total Sales

    1 in Gate City

    $69,000 Price

    Gusty Gulas
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  • Quentin Carter

    Quentin Carter

    Barnes & Associates

    (938) 666-5161

    169 Total Sales

    1 in Gate City

    $45,000 Price

    Quentin Carter
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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
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Justin Marcus, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International

7 min drive

Bus

Oporto Madrid Blvd And 66th St

Bus

Georgia Rd And Glasgow Ave (Ib)

Bus

Kimberly Ave & Joppa Ave (Ib)

Bus

Georgia Rd And Gate City Elemen School

Bus

Oporto Madrid Blvd And 67th St S

Bus

Georgia Rd And Interlaken Ave

Bus

Kimberly Ave & 67th St S

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
96
Median Year Built
1959
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,006
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

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Homes for Rent

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Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Justin Marcus, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value

Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
1,153
Median Age
27
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
40.2%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$24,218
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$35,172

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
91.5%
College Graduates
14.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2%
% Population in Labor Force
51.4%
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®

31 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

19 / 100

Minimal Transit

Transit Score®

24 / 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.

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Nearby Neighborhoods

Brown Springs
Brown Springs

A community that connects the mountains to Magic City

Eastlake
Eastlake

Up-and-coming neighborhood full of charm in the middle of Birmingham

Oak Ridge Park
Oak Ridge Park

This close-knit Bham community is just minutes from Ruffner Mountain Park

South Woodlawn
South Woodlawn

Rapidly evolving community with new subdivisions and thriving businesses

Crestwood North
Crestwood North

Historic and contemporary houses close to local storefronts

Crestwood South
Crestwood South

Beautiful parks and plenty of retail options define this charming east Bham suburb

Search Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

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Alabama Jefferson County Birmingham
Gate City
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
Gate City
Justin Marcus
Marcus Family Realty LLC
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Justin Marcus
Justin Marcus
Marcus Family Realty LLC
Agent experienced in this area
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