A decade of positive transformations for east Detroit neighborhood
Eight miles from downtown Detroit, Morningside calls itself "a community on the rise." The neighborhood dates to the early 20th century and features a collection of eye-catching architecture from the period. Between 2000 and 2010, it experienced a 27% population loss and falling owner-occupancy rates, much like other neighborhoods across the city. However, a decade-long transformation driven by nonprofits and passionate community members has turned vacant lots into neighborhood parks and cleaned up dumping grounds. In turn, the community has seen rising owner-occupancy rates and stronger community involvement.
Homebuyers, drawn to Morningside's family-friendly offerings and affordability, are transforming the landscape with home renovations. The revitalization continues as community members fundraise to renovate and reopen the historic neighborhood theater. Yet residents are already reaping the benefits of their hard work through rising property values. "If you look at the value, it's been an upward incline," says Gentraia Brown, Realtor with Keller Williams Domain. "Right now, there are a lot of homes in the mid-$200,000 range. You wouldn't have seen that five years ago."
The neighborhood of Morningside is a historic region of the east side Detroit.
A vibrant mural at Three Mile-Munich Park in Morningside.
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Tudors and Colonials with original features
Morningside blossomed in the 1920s due to Detroit's rising middle class. The neighborhood still resembles those early days with its brick Tudor houses with steep, pointy roofs, symmetrical Colonials and towering mature trees. Homes are evenly spaced out with well-kept, grassy front lawns. In 2015, Stabilizing Morningside, a University of Michigan project, helped develop a plan to prevent tax foreclosures, renovate houses and turn vacant lots into assets. The Morningside Community Organization oversees a Vacant Property Tax Force to help improve the look of abandoned homes. Many individuals have also purchased and renovated properties in recent years while retaining original features such as hardwood floors. "The homes are well built," Brown says. "They cared more about the architectural style when they built them, so there is a lot of character. That's something you can't find everywhere." Houses may still need new kitchens and bathrooms. Fixer-uppers can range from $60,000 to $100,000, while updated properties range from $130,000 to $240,000.
A row of masonry homes in the Morningside neighborhood.
The Morningside suburb is filled with stunning Tudor brick homes.
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Community gatherings at Three Mile Munich Park
Green spaces take the place of abandoned houses and vacant lots. In 2016, nonprofits helped construct a playground in the center of the neighborhood, building a foundation for Three Mile Munich Park. It's received substantial upgrades since then, and today includes an open green space with tree cover and picnic tables, outdoor fitness equipment, a picnic pavilion and a playground. New sidewalks add accessibility, while a vibrant mural greets parkgoers. It's a gathering space for neighborhood meetings, family reunions and special events, such as Neighborhoods Day, featuring food, tabletop games and vendors selling plants, art and more. Just west, Corrigan Park is a large open space with a baseball field, playground and walking path looping around the perimeter. Nearby Chandler Park is Detroit's fourth largest park, featuring sports fields, a skate park, an aquatic facility and a municipal golf course.
Three Mile-Munich Park has a designated fitness zones for visitors in Morningside.
Kids will enjoy playing for hours outside at Corrigan Park.
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After-school tutoring at Carstens Academy
The Detroit Public Schools Community District earns a C from Niche and offers school choice. Morningside students may attend the C-minus-rated Ronald Brown Academy for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, where they may participate in robotics, chess and photography clubs. Carstens Academy of Aquatic Science also earns a C-minus and serves pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students. The 21st Century After-School program provides extra academic support in core subjects such as reading and math. Teens can attend high school at the D-rated East English Village Preparatory Academy, known for its robotics program and career pathways in pharmacy tech and business.
Ronald Brown Academy school is a Michigan Green School for energy saving initiatives.
Carstens Academy of Aquatic Science serves Pre-K - 8th grade students in Jefferson Chalmers.
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Historic Alger Theater is a work in progress
The Alger Theater is a designated historic landmark, a piece of Detroit history in Morningside. It's another example of this neighborhood's commitment to improvement. One of Detroit's last neighborhood movie theaters, it opened in 1935 and played its last movie in 1985. Since then, dedicated volunteers under the banner of Friends of the Alger Theater have worked toward returning it to a neighborhood destination. A new roof is under construction, and the next step will be to work on the interior. "It's going to take a while because it will cost $3 million," says Jackie Grant, president of the Friends of the Alger Theater and former president of the Morningside Community Organization. In the meantime, the theater helps residents apply for the Homeowners Property Exemption program, which eliminates property taxes for qualifying individuals. Residents may schedule an appointment and visit the HOPE office adjoining the theater. Locals can also add a personalized message to the theater marquee.
Featherstone Garden strives to educate the Morningside community on health and wellness.
The historic Alger Theatre hosts community events and year-round programming.
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Interstate 94 leads to downtown Detroit
Getting to downtown Detroit is possible by car or bus. Commuters can take Interstate 94, which borders the neighborhood's north side, and East Warren Avenue, located in the center of the neighborhood. The number eight bus, through the Detroit Department of Transportation, arrives on East Warren every 30 minutes, connecting with other bus lines toward downtown. East Warren also has protected bike lanes running east and west. The Detroit Medical Center Central Campus is about 9 miles west, offering 24-hour emergency care.
East Warren Tool Library helps with home renovations
Shops and restaurants are concentrated along East Warren Avenue, in the center of the neighborhood, and Mack Avenue, bordering the neighborhood's south side. On East Warren, Morningside Café is a modern coffee shop serving espresso drinks and baked goods. Flamz Pizzeria is popular for its specialty creations, such as seafood pizza with white garlic sauce, shredded mozzarella, shrimp, crab and spinach. Both spots opened in recent years and reopened after repairing fire damage. They could signal more shopping and dining to come, says Brown, "There are some open retail spots, so I can see that potentially being an area for development. The residents came, and now the businesses will come." Public Foods is a centrally located grocery store, while Aldi provides an alternative to the southwest. The East Warren Tool Library contributes to Morningside's revitalization efforts by lending out construction tools and hosting workshops. One-time project tool requests cost $150. Further south, Park Antiques is a cash-only operation on Mack that sells secondhand treasures such as blown glass and wall décor.
Flamz Pizza is well-reviewed and is an excellent choice for a Friday night meal.
Morningside Cafe received excellent reviews for its fresh beans & locally made baked goods.
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Detroit Police Department works to lower homicide rates
Morningside has a CAP Index crime score of five out of 10, compared with a score of four for the national average. It earns an eight for homicide and seven for assault with weapon. Morningside is part of the Detroit Police Department's fifth precinct, which saw a rise in homicides between 2020 and 2021. The department's 2022 Community Safety Strategy outlines action plans for the precinct involving crowd management and code enforcement, community engagement, police presence and noise and traffic enforcement.
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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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Morningside
US
Homicide
8
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Morningside Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Morningside, Detroit sell after 61 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Morningside, Detroit over the last 12 months is $135,000, up 17% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Looking for a drama-free, convenient, and modern move-in-ready home in Detroit? Welcome to 3602 Chatsworth St, a beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 1-bath colonial that’s perfect for first-time buyers or those looking to plant roots in one of Detroit’s most charming east-side communities. Listed at an accessible price point, this home offers value, style, and ease!Enjoy the peace of mind of a
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 6/22/25, 11:30am-12:30pm. Unfinished attic area that is partitioned with 2 bedrooms and a bathroom will make this home worth more. Great location just west off Chandler Park. Investors or home owner looking for sweat equity. Newer roof and front porch. Wonderful hardwood floors and plaster details. Sold as-is. Immediate occupancy. 1 year home warranty at close.
Eric GoosenBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Kee Realty SCS
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 6/22/25 11:30am-12:30pm. Wonderful Morningside colonial with hardwood floors and plaster walls. Natural fireplace and tile foyer. Updated kitchen with appliances included. Updated bathrooms. Finished basement with bathroom and washer, and dryer. 2-level wood deck behind the back doors, fenced yard. Great location just off Chandler Park. Immediate occupancy. 1 year home warranty.
Eric GoosenBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Kee Realty SCS
Beautiful Brick Bungalow one block over from East English Village! Home has a spacious Dining Room and Living Room with Fireplace. Home is very well maintained, on a great block, minutes away from Grosse Pointe, freeways, shopping, and restaurants. New Roof installed in 2022. Home is an income producing asset. Tenant is on a 1 year lease paying $1,000 a monthly. Buyer must buy the home and honor
Beautifully renovated home on Detroit's Eastside in the Morningside area. Fresh paint, new vinyl plank flooring, new furnace, new driveway and new front porch steps. Tastefully updated kitchen with new cabinets, counters & backsplash and the nook gives plenty of room for entertaining. All of the bedrooms have new carpet and large closets. The bathroom has also been completely updated for the
Property Id: 1930468Upper unit. Updated Two Bedroom flat. Refinished hardwood floors. Updated kitchen and bath. Walking distance to multiple parks, shopping and restaurants. Will not last long. Please call to schedule viewing, no appointments will be scheduled online. ) Section 8 welcome
Welcome home to this 2 bed, 1 bath townhome located in Detroits Morningside community close to shopping, Riverfront parks, and more! This brick duplex features hardwood floors throughout, ceramic tile in kitchen and bath, and a cool basement for storage and laundry. Two oversized bedrooms are located upstairs for plenty of privacy and comfort. The shared garage parking is a plus! Don't hesitate
Welcome to this fully furnished, gorgeous 3 bed, 2 bath bungalow in the MorningSide neighborhood. Step into the main floor with its charmingly appointed living room with cozy fireplace, the formal dining room with statement wallpaper, the fully updated kitchen with newer stainless steel appliances, renovated bathroom and two bedrooms. Upstairs you will find a massive primary suite with a brand
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
10,913
Median Age
34
Population Density
12 ppl/acre
Population under 18
30.2%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.9%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$43,091
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$62,143
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
85.5%
College Graduates
13.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.4%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
60.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
30''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
38''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
66/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
67/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
40/ 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.
