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Riley

Riley

$81,613 Average Value
$435 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

Former factory suburb with pre-war and post-war homes anchored by lively community center

The early 20th century saw a massive expansion of heavy industry in the Birmingham community of Ensley. This expansion called for the establishment of worker's housing in communities like Riley. Today, residents live in the Craftsman bungalows and mid-century modern houses that were originally built for the workers. Local community centers distribute food to those in need and host regular art classes, while parks and shopping are less than 2 miles away in nearby Midfield. Housing repairs and investment in public transit in the wider Ensley community are part of the Birmingham Comprehensive Plan.
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Bungalows and mid-century modern homes close to major highways

Residents live along gentle hills that slowly slope up towards Red Mountain. Craftsman bungalows were built to house workers in the early 20th century. Developers built single-story mid-century modern homes as more workers moved into the area following the Second World War. Most homes in Riley reflect one of those styles. Some homes need renovations, while others were recently renovated, and renovations for homes in need of repair are part of the upcoming Birmingham City Plan. A third of the neighborhood's developed land area is taken up by the Holcim Slag Plant. Most residents own their homes but there is a small percentage of renters. Prices range from $10,000 for a house needing repair to $140,000 for a renovated bungalow.
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Proximity to I-20 offers easy routes to Downtown Birmingham

Residents can take buses that make stops all along Jefferson Avenue Southwest. Investment in greenways and higher quality public transit is part of the upcoming Birmingham Comprehensive Plan. Riley is within 3 miles of Route 11 and Interstate 20, providing straightforward commutes to Downtown Birmingham, which is 10 miles to the east. The nearest hospitals are the Western Health Center, 3 miles southwest along Route 11, and Princeton Baptist Medical Center, 9 miles northeast in Arlington. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is 13 miles to the northeast.
Enjoy the sounds of the train passing through Riley.
Enjoy the sounds of the train passing through Riley.
Riley has 981 residents and features mostly craftsman style bungalows and split level homes.
Riley has 981 residents and features mostly craftsman style bungalows and split level homes.
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Birmingham City Schools and Lawson State Community College provide a well-rounded education

Birmingham City Schools serves the neighborhood's public school students. Oxmoor Valley Elementary teaches from kindergarten through fifth grade before funneling students to Jones Valley Middle. Both schools received a D-plus rating on Niche. Riley is zoned for Wenonah High School, which has an overall C-minus rating and features the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism. This technical education program provides a work-based learning curriculum about the tourism and service industries. The community fills the Bell Culpepper Stadium to watch the Wenonah Dragons run the field. Lawson State Community College is less than a half mile south of the neighborhood. The college was ranked the #5 community college in the country in the 2013 issue of Washington Monthly and has a partnership with the Birmingham Housing Authority that provides training in construction, healthcare and warehouse operations.
Oxmoor Valley Elementary strives to educate the future leaders of Riley.
Oxmoor Valley Elementary strives to educate the future leaders of Riley.
Riley teens get a great education at Wenonah High School.
Riley teens get a great education at Wenonah High School.
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Seafood restaurants like Crab Barrack and grocery shopping in Midfield

Riley is primarily residential, but residents need only drive 2 miles into Midfield for the essentials. Midfield Plaza and other shopping centers have grocery stores and supermarkets like Save A Lot and Piggly Wiggly. In addition to fast food staples like Waffle House, there are also restaurants like Urban Smoke Bar and Grille, a casual restaurant serving a variety of fried fish, seasoned wings and specialty cocktails. The Crab Barrack is a Birmingham chain located in Midfield that dishes out fried okra and fish baskets along with savory seafood boils.
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Beautiful quilts and food drives at the Riley Center

On the corner of Park Avenue and Hickory Avenue is the United Community Center, known locally as the Riley Center. Established in 1903 to care for the wives and children of Birmingham's miners and factory workers, the United Way of Central Alabama Foundation has been a partner with the Riley Center since 1981. Intricately patterned quilts from the center's quilting circle are hung throughout, children ages 5 to 12 years old fill the space for summer camps and food is prepared and distributed in a monthly food drive. Midfield Park is 2 miles west of Riley and has a covered picnic area, a playground and a seasonal splash pad. Red Mountain Park is just 4 miles south and features over 1,500 acres of woodlands crisscrossed by hiking trails leading to scenic overlooks as well as artifacts of Birmingham's industrial past. Also located in the park is Remy's Dog Park, rated one of the "10 Great Southern Dog Parks" by Southern Living Magazine and featuring covered areas and open fields for dogs to run and play.
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Baptist and non-denominational churches in Riley

Baptist churches like Peace Baptist Church and nondenominational churches like Abraham/Nest of Love Church have regular services and programs.
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Riley
Riley has 981 residents and features mostly craftsman style bungalows and split level homes.
Riley has 981 residents and features mostly craftsman style bungalows and split level homes.
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Heavy industry in Riley and Birmingham weather patterns

A third of the neighborhood is taken up by industrial centers, including the Holcim Birmingham Slag Plant. Trains run along the north side of Bessemer Avenue Southwest, so residents living nearby will hear trains running through.

The region of the southern United States that includes Birmingham is called "Dixie Alley" and is known for a high frequency of supercell thunderstorms and tornadoes. Emergency preparedness plans are available through the Birmingham city government and the National Weather Service.
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Ian Burke
Written By
Ian Burke
Alan Bates
Photography Contributed By
Alan Bates
Becky Gaskill
Video By
Becky Gaskill

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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

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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International

24 min drive

Bus

Jefferson Ave And Fir Ave

Bus

Jefferson Ave SW & 39th St SW

Bus

Jefferson Ave & 40th St

Bus

Jefferson Ave And Hickory Ave

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Riley US
Homicide 7 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 2 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Riley Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$435,000
Median Sale Price
$409,900
Median Single Family Sale Price
$383,350
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$1,375,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$859,750
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
5
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$435

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
523
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1949
Months of Supply
4.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,226
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

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

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
995
Median Age
46
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.5%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$49,778
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$51,955

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
80.5%
College Graduates
16.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0%
% Population in Labor Force
51%
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®

30 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

17 / 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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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
Riley