$92,907Average Value$84Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Once a jazz hub, Tuxedo’s legacy lives on through its culture
Tuxedo is a neighborhood in the Ensley area that inspired the famous singer and trumpet player Erskine Hawkins to write his song "Tuxedo Junction." This small Birmingham neighborhood was once the social epicenter for the city's Black community in the 1920s and 1930s. The area got its name from the nearby Tuxedo Park subdivision that housed Tennessee Coal Iron and Railroad Company workers starting in 1899. Bars and dance halls sprang up, and it became known as a premier entertainment district for Black workers. In the late 1950s, much of the area was demolished as part of an urban renewal project, which led to the construction of the Tuxedo Court community. The Belcher-Nixon building, once a dentist's office, is the only surviving commercial building from those glory years, and it's been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The community is currently partnering with the nonprofit Main Street Birmingham to develop a cultural center in the historic building. Within just a few blocks, Tuxedo holds so much of the cultural history that makes Birmingham the magical city it is. With historic homes, lively community events and access to all the city has to offer, this neighborhood appeals.
Welcome to Tuxedo, Alabama, a neighborhood in the Birmingham area.
A busy intersection sits in the middle of the historic Tuxedo neighborhood.
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Sidewalk-lined streets with historic homes close together
Historic Craftsman, prairie and ranch-style homes make up this neighborhood, with prices ranging from $40,000 to $170,000. The median single-family home sale price is just over $141,000, which is significantly lower than both the state and national medians. Homes here are typically built close together on compact lots that extend away from the sidewalk-lined streets. Residents can take a short walk down to the First Baptist Church of Ensley or the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Ranch homes are some of the housing stock in Tuxedo.
Prairie-style homes can be found in the Tuxedo neighborhood.
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Students attend schools with strong goals toward improving performance
Children in the area attend Minor Elementary School, a K-5 Title I school with approximately 550 students. The school's programming includes the Alabama Reading Initiative, which helps students build literacy skills. Students go on to attend Malachi Wilkerson Middle School, named after a revered local choir director from years past. Wilkerson Middle opened its doors as an elementary school in 1957 but transitioned to a sixth to eighth-grade middle school in 1989. Under the leadership of administrator and educator Diane Rivers, the school implemented a series of performance improvements that would lead the school to be recognized as the first recipient of the Rochester Institute of Technology and USA Today Quality Cup Award in 1994. After identifying poor reading skills as a roadblock to learning, the school implemented a peer tutoring program that improved discipline and test scores in all subjects. In 2003 principal Constance Burnes instituted a strict disciplinary and accountability system, including introducing a well-stocked game room as an incentive for good performance. She also ensured that teachers thoroughly prepared students for the Alabama Math and Reading Tests and brought in outside educators to teach extracurricular courses like life skills, drama and ballroom dancing. This progress led Wilkerson to be named a model school by the International Center for Leadership in Education in 2008. Teenagers in the community attend Jackson-Olin High School, which offers two academies: the Academy of Health Science and the Academy of Horticulture.
Residents attend Minor Elementary School in Ensley Highlands.
Malachi Wilkerson Middle School is a positive place to learn near Tuxedo.
Jackson-Olin High School offers Tuxedo students two academies.
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Celebrating jazz at Erskine Hawkins Park
Named after the beloved local jazz legend, Erskine Hawkins Park is the gathering hub of the community. The park is host to the annual Function in the Junction Jazz Festival. The festival started in 1985 to honor Erskine Hawkins and has been held every July since, drawing about 4,000 people each year to listen to live jazz performances. Hawkins himself attended every celebration until 1993, the year he passed away. Function in the Junction is the longest-running music festival in Birmingham and an annual reminder of the area's vibrant cultural history.
Benches and a pavilion in Erskine Hawkins Park are popular amenities in the Tuxedo neighborhood.
Welcome to Erskine Hawkins Park, located in the Tuxedo neighborhood.
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Dining out at Green Acres Restaurant or Heritage Coffee
When looking for good eats, locals head straight to Green Acres Restaurant. This hidden gem has been a community favorite since it opened in 1958, serving comfort homestyle Southern staples like wings, chicken liver and fried green tomatoes. Residents get their caffeine fix from the nearby Heritage Coffee, while Tres Fine Clothing keeps the neighborhood stylish with its fashion offerings.
The front of Green Acres, which is a popular restaurant in the Tuxedo neighborhood.
The interior of Heritage Coffee is located near the Tuxedo neighborhood.
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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Tuxedo Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Tuxedo, Birmingham sell after 35 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Tuxedo, Birmingham over the last 12 months is $190,000, up 245% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Prime Investment Opportunity - 0.52 Acre on High-Traffic 20th Street Ensley Birmingham Al.Surrounded by residential neighborhoods, schools, and local business, this site is persfectly positioned for a high-run development project.
Charming 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with endless potential! This spacious property features an open living area, original hardwood floors, and a functional layout perfect for customization. The primary suite offers a private bath, while two additional bedrooms provide ample space for family or guests. With a little TLC, this home can truly shine. Conveniently located near major roads and
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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.
