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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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 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 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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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Investment property located in the East Lake/Woodlawn market area of Birmingham. This property is currently vacant and presents a strong rental opportunity, with estimated income potential of up to $1,050 per month. Ideal for investors looking to expand their rental portfolio. Please note that the property does not include an HVAC unit, and the electrical power is currently turned off. The home
Excellent investment opportunity! This tenant-occupied 3 bedroom, 1 bath home at 6821 65th St S. is an ideal addition to any rental portfolio. The long term section 8 tenant is currently in their third lease term and paying $800 per month, providing a stable income through section 8. The property was renovated back in 202, featuring new vinyl flooring throughout, an updated kitchen and
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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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.
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.
