$457,767Average Value$245Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
A creative spirit thrives in Tuscaloosa-Lakewood
Sought after in the early 1900s for its trolley line access and its nearby amusement park, South Durham’s Tuscaloosa-Lakewood neighborhood continues to be in demand for homebuyers today. The neighborhood's name is derived from the Lakewood Dairy farm, which stretched from Chapel Hill Boulevard to Ward and James Streets during the first half of the 20th century. “It’s a cool historic neighborhood,” says Marie Brockenbrough, a longtime Durhamite and Realtor with Inhabit Real Estate. “Most homes were built in the 1920s through the 1960s; it has great proximity to downtown while still feeling bucolic with tree-lined streets.” Whether trying a new dish at one of the trendy restaurants nearby, picking up craft supplies at the Scrap Exchange or enjoying a live band at the neighborhood music venue, Tuscaloosa-Lakewood residents appreciate the arts.
Mature trees and pocket parks line the streets of the Tuscaloosa-Lakewood neighborhood.
Tuscaloosa-Lakewood residents appreciate the arts.
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A variety of single-family homes with personality
Mature trees shade many of the single-family homes in Tuscaloosa-Lakewood, which sit alongside wide streets. The neighborhood has a growing collection of Craftsman-style bungalows and Four Squares, but there are also Colonial Revivals, cottages, midcentury modern designs and ranch-style homes. From bright paint colors to custom landscaping, individuality shines in Tuscaloosa-Lakewood. “A lot of the houses have nice character and quirk. People who love character gravitate towards that neighborhood,” Brockenbrough says. Lots, separated by short driveways, are just as varied, ranging from less than a quarter-acre to nearly a half-acre. Most homes typically cost between $300,000 and $600,000. However, some modernized early 20th-century homes can exceed $650,000. Additionally, some of the original buildings in the area are being transformed into housing for the Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers program.
Four square homes sit next to quirky bungalows in the Tuscaloosa-Lakewood neighborhood.
Small bungalow homes are popular in the Tuscaloosa-Lakewood neighborhood.
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The Scrap Exchange, well-known restaurants and shopping centers nearby
Tuscaloosa-Lakewood residents don’t have to head downtown to dine at trendy restaurants. Some of the city’s well-known eateries are close to home along U.S. Route 15-501 and Chapel Hill Road. Foster’s Market is known for its gourmet brunch, while the Guglhupf Bakery, Café & Restaurant menu features German dishes and baked goods. The Latino-owned Cocoa Cinnamon pairs churros with coffee.
National retailers like Target and At Home are less than 3 miles west along University Drive. Nearby, Food Lion anchors the Lakewood Shopping Center. It stands on the former site of the Lakewood Amusement Park, which offered rides and various attractions from 1902 to 1932 when the city’s streetcar system shut down. The shopping center, erected in the 1960s, is home to the Scrap Exchange. This nonprofit has worn many hats: It’s a thrift store, reuse arts center, artists market and studio providing community programming and outreach since the 1990s. “It’s a really cool organization that tries to limit things that go into the landfill. People can bring in surplus items for creatives to utilize and incorporate into art and home projects,” says Brockenbrough, who adds that the organization hosts SmashFest every November. Since 2011, the cathartic event has drawn hundreds of people to the shopping center parking lot to smash stuff, drink beer and create art.
The Scrap Exchange is a thrift store, reuse arts center, artists market and studio providing community programming and outreach since the 1990s.
Cocoa Cinnamon is a great workspace in the Tuscaloosa-Lakewood Community.
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Original music at Huron Stage
Local singers and songwriters fill the neighborhood with their original tunes during concerts at the Huron Stage, a grassroots music venue inside a private home along Huron Street. In the wooded backyard, musicians perform on a cobalt-blue stage lit with the soft glow of string lights while the audience relaxes on benches and picnic tables. Indoor shows are held in the basement, where bright yellow pipes wrapped in holiday lights compliment poster-clad brick walls.
A neighborhood YMCA and other nearby parks in South Durham
The Lakewood YMCA is a community fixture, according to Brockenbrough. Parents can drop their kids off at the childcare center before getting in a workout. In addition to fitness equipment and group exercise classes, the Y offers racquetball courts and a sauna. Several parks are within a 2-mile drive of the neighborhood, including the historic Forest Hills Park. Originally developed as a golf course and clubhouse, the park today features tennis courts and an outdoor pool surrounded by open fields and woods. Rockwood Park’s playground and basketball courts are connected by a paved walking trail that flows alongside a central creek. Hiking trails loop around Duke University Golf Club, roughly 2 miles northwest of Tuscaloosa-Lakewood. The public 18-hole course, tucked in the woods, is set over hills and streams.
The Lakewood YMCA is a popular community fixture in the Tuscaloosa-Lakewood neighborhood.
Locals love the trails looping around Duke University Golf Club, roughly 2 miles northwest of Tuscaloosa-Lakewood.
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Tuscaloosa-Lakewood’s assigned public schools and private options
Durham Public Schools divides the city into regions and offers school choice within each zone via an application lottery. The district earns a B-plus overall rating from Niche. Tuscaloosa-Lakewood is in the Southwest region. Assigned neighborhood schools begin with Lakewood Elementary. It receives a C rating and offers a Spanish Dual Language Immersion program. The A-minus-rated Lakewood Montessori Magnet Middle shares a campus with the Lakewood YMCA and regularly gets students out of the classroom and into nature for field studies. C.E. Jordan High, historic for being Durham County’s first desegrated school when it opened in 1963, gets a B-plus and offers an agriscience pathway.Private schools in the area include the A-plus-rated Durham Academy and Immaculata Catholic School, which Niche does not yet rate. Duke University, a renowned private research university, is roughly 2 miles north. North Carolina Central University is a top-ranking historically Black university about 2 miles east.
Lakewood Montessori Middle School is located in Durham, NC.
Durham, NC's Lakewood Elementary serves approximately 380 students.
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Multiple way to get around Bull City
U.S. Route 15-501, a key road for daily commutes to Chapel Hill, serves as the neighborhood’s southern boundary and makes for short 2 ½-mile drives to downtown Durham. It’s lined with bike lanes and GoDurham bus stops. Chapel Hill Road is another bike-friendly street. Research Triangle Park, home to hundreds of tech companies, including IBM and Cisco Systems Inc., is about 8 miles away. A roughly 15-mile drive down the Durham Freeway leads to Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Important to know
Tuscaloosa-Lakewood receives a CAP Index crime score of 9 out of 10, significantly above the national average of 4 out of 10. According to the CAP Index, the neighborhood has a higher-than-average risk of property crime.
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
April Williams,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Al Buehler Trail
Transit
Airport
Raleigh-Durham International
25 min drive
Bus
Nation Ave & Bedford St
Bus
Chapel Hill Rd & W Cornwallis Rd (Nb)
Bus
Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd & Hope Valley Rd (Wb)
Bus
James St & Durham Chapel Hill Blvd
Bus
Chapel Hill Rd & Huron St
Bus
Chapel Hill Rd & Wa Wa Ave
Bus
Chapel Hill Rd & Ward St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Tuscaloosa-Lakewood
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
7
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
10
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
10
4
Larceny
10
4
Crime Score
9
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Tuscaloosa-Lakewood Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Tuscaloosa-Lakewood, Durham sell after 13 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Tuscaloosa-Lakewood, Durham over the last 12 months is $477,500, down 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Don't miss this cute-as-a-button bungalow on a large flat lot in Lakewood. The large deck and screened porch, plus lots of attic storage help this small-footprint house live large. Set on a quiet street within an easy walk to great coffee at Cocoa Cinnamon, delicious brunch at Lula and Sadie's, and evenings at Lakewood Social, you can be a part of it all, while still enjoying leafy quietude at
WOW! Welcome to this beautifully updated three-bedroom, two-bath home featuring high-end luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout, high ceilings and a stylish kitchen with brand-new cabinetry, high end hardware, faucet, quartz countertops and appliances are all KitchenAid. The primary bedroom is stunning with walk in closet and large soaking tub. Enjoy a bright, open layout, spacious bedrooms, and
Charming 1925 Triplex in Durham's Beloved Lakewood Neighborhood!Step into a rare opportunity to own a piece of Durham history in the heart of the sought-after Lakewood neighborhood. Built in 1925, this beautifully restored triplex blends timeless architectural character with thoughtful modern upgrades.Both 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom main level units feature fully renovated kitchens,
LIMITED TIME OFFER: Move in by August 31, 2025, and well waive the $125 admin fee!!!! Lovely 2 bedroom duplex near Duke and convenient to RTP, RDU,I85/40, and Triangle Expressway. This duplex unit has been completely renovated. The kitchen has ample cabinet space and granite counter tops. There is basement access for storage. Large space outback includes plenty of parking and a deck. Washer and
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
April Williams,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,988
Median Age
38
Population under 18
22.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$82,833
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$110,230
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.6%
College Graduates
67.8%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
43.4%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
76.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
28°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
51/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
63/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
32/ 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.
