$114,745Average Value$86Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Tarpley City is steps away from parks, schools and shops
In the southwestern corner of Birmingham, Tarpley City is bookended by the lush Red Mountain Park and Lawson State Community College. Many residents have lived in the area all their lives, witnessing steady improvements, like the newer businesses that popped up along the nearby Lakeshore Parkway. Sonja Watts has lived in Tarpley City since 2008, but she grew up a few minutes away. “It’s growing, but it’s going slow,” Watts says. “It’s not going to look like a Hoover, but you can slowly but steadily see the change in the environment. It’s come a long way from when I was raised in the community, when back then ... the closest hospital was in Fairfield. Now, you’ve got options. ... You just have to weigh your pros and cons. It works for me because it works for my situation.” Tarpley City offers residents easy access to amenities while looking toward a future of improvements.
Remy’s Dog Park near Tarpley City gives pets space to roam.
Homes in Tarpley City offer Red Mountain views and wooded scenery.
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Older bungalows and ranch-style homes that residents touch up
Bungalows and ranch-style homes in Tarpley City were mostly built between 1950 and 1990. “I wanted my own home, and the homes I was looking at the time were outrageous in price, and there was little land,” Watts says. “I liked that country feel, that home feel, because that’s what I know. Upgraded, but kind of quiet. Not too much, not too little. ... It’s an older home, a remodeled home. In my mind, if it lasted 100 years, it’s probably going to last 100 more if you keep it up.” The homes have moderate lots shaded by tall trees, and some homes feature attached garages, but many residents park on paved driveways or under carports. Prices tend to range between $50,000 and $90,000. While the streets are sidewalk-free, some people live within walking distance of churches like Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Mature trees shade many homes in Tarpley City’s residential streets.
Bungalows with spacious yards appear throughout Tarpley City.
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Walking, driving and catching the bus in Tarpley City
Residential streets may not have sidewalks, but Wilson Road does. Watts points out how convenient it is to walk to Tarpley City Park and other nearby amenities. She also says she appreciates how she can walk to the community college, high school, barbershop and fire station. Commuting by car is also brief, since the 9-mile drive to downtown Birmingham takes about 20 minutes. Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority has MAX Transit buses that run from Tarpley City to Central Station in downtown, a roughly 45-minute trip. Drivers heading to the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport have a nearly 15-mile trip that takes about 30 minutes, depending on traffic. Watts points out the Southern Immediate Care center off the Lakeshore Parkway, but Princeton Baptist Medical Center in Birmingham has the nearest emergency room.
Lawson State Community College offers opportunities to high schoolers
Tarpley City is in the Birmingham City Schools district, which is rated C by Niche. Kids attend prekindergarten through fifth grade at Oxmoor Valley Elementary School in the Sand Ridge community. Jones Valley Middle School is closer to home in Jones Valley, and Wenonah High School is right off Wilson Road. All three schools earn C-minus grades from Niche. Lawson State Community College - Birmingham, earns a B-minus and launched the Early College Program with Wenonah High in 2025. Students can participate in dual-enrollment courses to earn college credits while also fulfilling high school requirements.
Oxmoor Valley Elementary near Tarpley City serves grades K-5.
Jones Valley Middle School near Tarpley City serves grades six through eight.
Wenonah High School near Tarpley City serves local teens.
UAB campus lies a short drive from Tarpley City for higher education.
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Tarpley City Park and Red Mountain Park are close to home
Tarpley City Park features a small playground near covered picnic tables and a concrete basketball court. “We upgraded the park,” Watts says. “Now we have sidewalks in the park.” Before Red Mountain Park was a sprawling 15,000-acre green space, the area was full of steel and iron mines that started operating in the late 1800s. Today, the park is a lush place to hike in the wooded space and see the historic mine entrances. Visitors can follow the trails to notable points, like the Haskell Hideaway treehouse and Remy’s Dog Park. “The trail will take you to almost the Walmart on Lakeshore,” Watts says. “You have to walk a minute and cross traffic, but then you can get back on and it takes you to Brookwood. The city is going to connect all the trails.”
Little league teams play at Wiggins Park near Tarpley City.
Hiking trails at Red Mountain Park lie minutes from Tarpley City.
Tarpley City Park features a playground, basketball court, and picnic tables.
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New restaurants and stores along Lakeshore Parkway
There are chain restaurants and stores in nearby Midfield, like a Piggly Wiggly grocery store, but Homewood has the most options. Watts highlights how close the Publix off Lakeshore Parkway is to the neighborhood. There are shopping centers along the parkway in the Homewood area with stores like Walmart and K&G Fashion Superstore. Watts highlights Yummy Bowl, a Japanese restaurant that has a build-your-own-bowl menu. For something closer to home, Overtime Grill & Bar stays open late on Fridays and Saturdays so customers can watch football or catch a live performance by Razz Ma Tazz.
Overtime Grill near Tarpley City offers casual dining and weekend entertainment.
Publix near Tarpley City offers fresh produce and household staples.
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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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Tarpley City
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
8
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Tarpley City Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Tarpley City, Birmingham sell after 23 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Tarpley City, Birmingham over the last 12 months is $91,500, down 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
3.30 Acres of Vacant Land. Located near schools so water and electric is possible. Buyers are encouraged to run their own official title search. Buyers are asked to do their due diligence before purchasing property. Seller financing is available.
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.
