$104,106Average Value$101Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
Rickwood Field about 4 miles outside downtown Birmingham
On the outskirts of Birmingham is Rising-West Princeton, home of the oldest ballpark in the country, Rickwood Field. Costella Adams-Terrell, president of the Rising-West Princeton Neighborhood Association who has lived in the area since 2015, describes it as, “one of the best kept secrets in Birmingham. Everyone knows Rickwood, but not as many people know about the community that flourishes around Rickwood.” Much of the area’s growth can be attributed to the Rising-West Princeton Neighborhood Association, which is constantly working on initiatives to help the community and its residents. This includes back-to-school drives for Princeton Alternative Elementary School and coordinating roof repairs with Habitat for Humanity Birmingham, with help from the Rising-West Princeton Neighborhood Corporation, a 501(c)(3). The neighborhood association also plans social events, including the annual Christmas Gala. Another integral part of the community is the many houses of worship, such as the Rising Star Baptist Church. They also put together events, like an annual trunk-or-treat, and school drives. “Those are anchors of the community, those houses of worship,” Adams-Terrell says.
Enjoy a crisp summer day in Rising-West Princeton.
Be sure and visit Rickwood Mini-Park.
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Single-story homes in Rising-West Princeton
Sidewalks line the residential roads, with shared alleys that go behind the houses, leading to garages and driveways. Almost every house is decorated with a collection of trees and small bushes, and some locals have decorated their grassy lawns with gardens and furniture. “People still do porch-sitting in the neighborhood,” Adams-Terrell says. “It really has that old southern draw that I remember growing up.” Ranch styles and bungalows neighbor Cape Cods and Craftsman homes, most of which were built in the early to mid-20th century. There are never more than a couple of properties available at a time in the neighborhood. “Most of the people who live here have lived here for a long, long time,” Watkins says. Prices for a single-family three- to four-bedroom tend to fall between $50,000 and $125,000. Habitat for Humanity Birmingham and the city of Birmingham are building new houses in the neighborhood, as well as fixing the roofs on 20 properties.
Craftsman homes are one of the home styles found in Rising West Princeton.
Take a walk and admire the full brick homes of Rising-West Princeton.
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Neaby parks in Rickwood
Rickwood Mini-Park is a modest park of about two acres that Adams-Terrell hopes to revitalize in the next few years. “It’s always good to have a park with jungle gyms and swings,” she says. In the meantime, families can visit the nearby A.G. Gaston Park, which has a playground. The park receives its name from entrepreneur Dr. A.G. Gaston, who also founded the A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club about 2 miles outside the neighborhood. The Boys and Girls Club runs after-school and summer programs that promote leadership and academic success in children. The Birmingham CrossPlex has a full indoor track and Olympic-sized pool. The Five Points West Regional Branch Library is home to the Birmingham Public Library’s Literacy and Outreach Office, which hosts several programs throughout the year, including classes on life skills such as financial literacy, cooking and computer basics.
Have a picnic at A.G. Gaston Park in Rising-West Princeton.
Find a small town feel near downtown in Rising-West Princeton.
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Princeton Alternative Elementary School in Rising-West Princeton
As part of Birmingham City Schools (BCS), students are zoned for Hemphill Elementary School and Wilkerson Middle School, both of which receive a C-minus from Niche. Princeton Alternative Elementary School also receives a C-minus and is a BCS Specialty School that requires an application. “That is the gem of the neighborhood,” Adams-Terrell says. A.H. Parker High School, which earns a C-plus, opened in 1900 as the first public high school for Black students in Birmingham. There, students can enroll in the Academy of Health Sciences or the Academy of Urban Educators, which offers courses that prepare students for working in preschool education and earning their Child Development Associate (CDA).
Princeton Elementary School features a playground for Rising West Princeton students to play on.
Malachi Wilkerson Middle School seeks to inspire students.
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Rickwood Field is historic ballpark
As Adams-Terrell says, Rickwood Field is incredibly well-known. The ballpark was bult in 1910. “During its history, it has served as the home of the Birmingham Barons and the Birmingham Black Barons,” says Gerald Watkins, chairman and Executive Director of the Friends of Rickwood, who has been involved with the organization for 25 years and worked onsite for three. “182 baseball Hall of Famers have played here. That includes Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Jackie Robinson.” On June 20, 2024, the field hosted its first Major League Baseball game since the 1970s. “It’s a really, really big deal,” Watkins says. Rickwood underwent major renovations to prepare for the game, which has in turn brought more energy into Rising-West Princeton.
Tour Alabama's oldest baseball field in Rising-West Princeton.
Take in the history at Rickwood Field in Rising-West Princeton.
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Locals can take the bus along Bessemer Road
U.S. Route 11, locally called Bessemer Road, runs along the neighborhood’s edge. Residents can drive themselves or take a MAX Transit bus about 4 miles into the city’s downtown area. The Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is about a 9-mile drive and offers 21 nonstop flights to cities across the U.S. The closest emergency room is at Princeton Medical Center, about 1 mile away. Some industrial trains will come through the neighborhood, which can increase noise levels in the area.
Get on a bus at one of the nice bus stops in Rising-West Princeton.
Find a small town feel near downtown in Rising-West Princeton.
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Rising-West Princeton restaurants and nearby stores
Rising-West Princeton is home to several locally owned restaurants, including Southern Caribbean, which specializes in Jamaican food, and Blue Seas Sports Grill, which serves its own take on American classics. Mama’ Nem Southern Kitchen is a new establishment in the southern part of the neighborhood. “We’re excited to have that, to just have a soul food restaurant in the area,” Adams-Terrell says. Locals can also travel further into Birmingham for more options, such as the Mexican restaurant El Barrio, which is about 4 miles away. “The best restaurant is Niki’s West,” Watkins says. Also a 4-mile drive, Niki’s West features a cafeteria line where patrons serve themselves an array of southern comfort food that rotates daily. Residents can get groceries at Marino’s Market or Piggly Wiggly, both within 2 miles, and find anything else at Walmart and Lowe’s, about 7 miles away, or Target, about a 10-mile drive.
Enjoy a treat for lunch at the Southern Caribbean Restaurant in Rising-West Princeton.
Get your medicine's local at Gibson Discount Mart Pharmacy in Rising-West Princeton.
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
Janice Smith,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Rickwood Field
Fairview Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Picnic Area
Woodward Park
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Exchange Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Highlands Park
Baseball/Softball
Pool
Playground
Rickwood Mini-Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Parking Lot
A.G. Gaston Park
Transit
Airport
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International
15 min drive
Bus
3rd Ave W And 9th St
Bus
3rd Ave W And Fayette St
Bus
Rickwood Rising
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Rising-West Princeton
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Rising-West Princeton Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Rising-West Princeton, Birmingham sell after 39 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Rising-West Princeton, Birmingham over the last 12 months is $31,000, down 54% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Turnkey Investment Opportunity or Perfect Starter Home! Welcome to 1621 2nd Court W, Birmingham, AL, a beautifully renovated 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom home offering modern upgrades while maintaining its timeless charm. With 1,074 sq. ft. of thoughtfully designed living space, this property is an ideal choice for investors seeking a lucrative rental or homeowners looking for a stylish,
This is a perfect investment property. Each unit has 2 bedrooms 1bathrooms. Convenient location, midway between downtown and Crossplex. A completely renovation property, New appliances , Stove, refrigerators; eat-in kitchen, recessed lighting, new laminate floors, front porch, off-street parking in the back and security cameras.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Janice Smith,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
992
Median Age
42
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$35,312
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$39,386
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
86.3%
College Graduates
14.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
1.3%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
57.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
57''
Average Winter Low Temperature
35°F
Average Summer High Temperature
91°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
40/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
50/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
26/ 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.
