Initially developed in 1922 as a low-cost community for workers of the expanding automotive industry, Brightmoor was a bustling blue-collar neighborhood until the mid-twentieth century. Now, the neighborhood is “severely underserved,” says Rachel Meeker, executive director for the Brightmoor Artisans Collective, a non-profit dedicated to helping the community engage in affordable and healthy food practices. “But the community members take a lot of ownership of the neighborhood. They’re very proactive in taking their own initiative to improve the neighborhood.” Though blight and crime are often the theme of discussions about Brightmoor, the neighborhood is one in which neighbors establish pocket parks to prevent illegal dumping, navigate the numerous conflicting interests that manage neighborhood resources and often work multiple jobs to meet the demands of a rising cost of living.
Members of the Brightmoor community take pride in fixing and maintaining their homes.
Pick up boxes of pre-ordered, 100% Locally Grown, fresh, seasonal produce at Beaverland Farms.
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Empty homes and worries about rising costs
Since the middle of the twentieth century, many Brightmoor homes have been abandoned and fallen into disrepair. The problem has become substantial enough that the city now owns a third of Brightmoor properties, and selling or developing these properties has been put on hold until the city finalizes framework planning for the neighborhood. What remains is a combination of recent renovations and homes needing significant work, and many neighborhood streets are lined with empty lots and vacant housing. The neighborhood’s architecture includes ranch-style homes, Tudors and two-story Colonial Revivals. While the $50,000 median price represents a 17% decline from the previous year, the median has more than doubled since 2021. Prices can sink as low as $9,500 for a neglected two-bedroom bungalow and reach as high as $250,000 for a newly updated, four-bedroom ranch-style home.
Residents of Brightmoor enjoy living in a tight knit community.
Those shopping for homes will find all sorts of shapes and sizes in Brightmoor.
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Locally-grown produce and locally-owned restaurants
For a deli, fresh produce, or other grocery needs, nearby grocery chain Meijer has almost everything needed to keep a household stocked. Locally-owned restaurants are easy to come by in Brightmoor, and Scotty Simpson’s Fish & Chips has served the area since 1950. When residents want a burger, they can head to Sonny’s Hamburgers, which has been a neighborhood staple for more than 50 years. A sizeable urban agriculture scene keeps these local restaurants stocked with fresh, locally-grown ingredients.
Residents of Brightmoor shop for all their home needs at Meijer in Redford.
Maty's Cuisine in nearby Redford is a local favorite for authentic Senegalese food.
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A full calendar of community events
The neighborhood’s concentration of activists and community organizations means many events are dedicated to improving the area and empowering its people. The Brightmoor Artisans Collective is a non-profit organization that brings together community members to learn about healthy and sustainable production and consumption of food. In addition to the gardening classes and fresh markets organized by the collective, institutions like Michigan State University Extension hold events like popup gardens or nutrition classes for new mothers.
The NBB Tool Bank offers tools and equipment in Brightmoor.
Neighborhood associations meet at community gardens throughout Brightmoor.
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Detroit Public Schools Community School District
As part of the Detroit Public Schools Community School District, Brightmoor students can attend pre-kindergarten through 8th grade at Gompers Elementary-Middle School, which earns a C on Niche. “There’s only one Detroit public school, which is Gompers, and the neighborhood does a lot to support them,” Meeker says. In 2022, NBA players from the Detroit Pistons surprised Gompers students and staff with a donation to establish a non-profit to supply Gompers students with toiletries and other supplies. Earning a D-plus, charter school Detroit Community High School gives students the opportunity to work with the University of Michigan to build their professional skills.
Detroit Community High School is centrally located, making it easy to access.
Walk your children to school at the recently constructed Samuel Gompers Elementary-Middle School
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Kids will enjoy playing for hours outdoors at Eliza Howell Park.
Detroit’s third-largest public park
At 250 acres, Eliza Howell Park is gaining attention from the city, the county and community members alike. In 2015, local non-profit Sidewalk Detroit began a community-wide effort to improve the park and its amenities. Since then, the group has hosted free programs at the park—like Winter Fest, a day of winter festivities like sledding and roasting marshmallows—and hosted an art residency that brought Patrick Dougherty’s sculpture “Stickwork” to the park.
One bus route, a network of sidewalks
The Detroit Department of Transportation reaches Brightmoor by way of bus route 18, which serves bus stops along Fenkell Avenue. Sidewalks are plentiful throughout the neighborhood, but some of the walkways have been overrun by grass. Interstate 96 runs through the south end of Brightmoor, and Telegraph Road and Southfield Freeway give drivers access to larger highways and the greater Detroit area.
Commuters living in Brightmoor will enjoy direct access to downtown using Detroit's DDOT busses.
Newly installed bike lanes enable commuters to travel downtown quickly and safely.
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Data indicates a high risk of crime
Equal to Brightmoor’s infamous blight is its reputation for crime. In every category measured, Brightmoor’s CAP Index is double the national average or higher. With a 10 showing the greatest crime risk, the neighborhood’s homicide score is 10, against a national score of 4. The overall CAP Index score for Brightmoor is 7, and the overall national score is 4.
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
Most people in my area is retired there are some job opportunities in my area.
5.0Current Resident
12/20/2016Niche Review
Brightmoor is the kind of neighborhood where children like to play. Where everyone gets along and do there best to try to keep the neighborhood clean and safe. But unfortunately there is still some concerns for there are lots of abandoned houses and drug dealers that use the empty houses to sale there drugs out of. Fortunately there are many organizations that board up these houses and build parks for the children to run around and be safe in. There is also a Youth Garden group that help the children during the summer to build job skills and responsibilities as well as good eating habits. Over all Brightmoor it truly a beautiful neighborhood full of more great changes to come.
Are you familiar with the Brightmoor neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Brightmoor
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Brightmoor Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Brightmoor, Detroit sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Brightmoor, Detroit over the last 12 months is $72,750, up 21% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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