Central Park is a historic neighborhood just east of downtown Flint, situated between Mott Community College and the University of Michigan's Flint campus. Despite its name, the neighborhood is not known for a central green space but rather for the Flint Cultural Center, a campus of theaters and museums. “The Cultural Center really is an arts district,” says Bridget Brown, a Realtor with Re/Max Edge who has sold several homes in the area. “People who live in that area are just surrounded by so many things to do.” With a significant student population and proximity to downtown, Central Park has a high density of renters. Although the neighborhood has struggled in the past with run-down properties and a lack of infrastructure, local organizations are helping to turn that around.
Sloan Museum of Discovery has over 100k square feet of hands-on learning for Central Park kids.
Richert Manor Apartments highrise is a landmark part of Central Park's southern skyline.
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On the campus of Flint Cultural Center
Flint Cultural Center is a hotspot of activity. The Longway Planetarium has immersive light shows and the Sloan Museum of Discovery has interactive exhibits geared towards kids. The Flint Institute of Arts Museum has creative classes for all ages and over at Applewood Estates, visitors can explore a gilded mansion and sprawling gardens. All of these museums have a regular schedule of lectures and special events, including apple tasting at Applewood and a popular glass-blowing demonstration at the Arts Museum. In addition, the Flint Repertory Theater puts on professional productions, and The Whiting Auditorium attracts symphonies, ballets and musicals from around the country. “I can’t say enough good things about the art, the classes and the different events at the Cultural Center,” Brown says. “Plus, they decorate the whole area during the holidays.”
Also within the cultural campus, Gloria Coles Flint Public Library is a community centerpiece and the only remaining library branch in Flint. Following a $20 million renovation in 2022, the library offers a large children’s section with interactive toys, modern glass meeting rooms and a digital studio. It also has a bi-weekly food pantry. The nearby Riverside Tabernacle Assembly of God also has a food pantry every week.
Longway Planetarium in Central Park is the largest planetarium in Michigan with 130 seats.
Grand Traverse locals can find a wide catalogue within walking distance at Goria Coles Library.
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The neighborhood gets a new look thanks to local organizations
The Central Park Neighborhood Association has regular meetings, working to connect its residents with resources and plan events like community clean-ups. The Court Street Village Non-Profit Housing Corporation also operates in the neighborhood. Some of their most notable projects include increasing nighttime visibility by adding LED streetlights, redoing sidewalks and painting homes. “We used to call Central Park a diamond in the rough, but it doesn’t get ignored as much as it did a few years ago,” says Norma Sain, executive director of the non-profit. “People look at the projects we are doing to improve the neighborhood and go, ‘wow, how can we do that for our neighborhood too?’” According to Sain, she’s seen home prices in the neighborhood triple over the years as Central Park puts on a fresh coat of paint.
Older homes are split up into rentable units
Although 77% of Central Park residents rent, there are some options for those looking to settle down more permanently. Single-family homes typically date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, offering vintage architectural details like gambrel rooflines, bay windows and enclosed front porches. Many of these older homes have been split into duplexes or triplexes and are often rented out to students. Homes can sell for $50,000 to $200,000, depending on size and renovations. A condominium complex was added to the neighborhood in 1948, and units are available today from $50,000 to $85,000. “This one of the more affordable neighborhoods around the Cultural Center,” Brown says.
Built in 1948, Parkview Manor brought affordable, no-frills housing to Central Park.
Many of the homes in Central Park have been converted to rentable units or duplexes.
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Walk over to downtown Flint for the farmers market
For dining out and shopping, Central Park residents head into downtown Flint, which is less than a mile from most homes. Sidewalk-lined streets connect over Interstate 475, making it a walkable trip. The Flint Farmers Market happens downtown all year round, three days a week. The indoor building hosts around 50 permanent boutiques, food vendors and farmers. In the summer, stalls spill out into the outdoor pavilion, offering a wider selection of fresh produce. For grocery runs, there is an Aldi and a Save A Lot 3 miles away.
An Aldi just west of Central Park provides affordable access to groceries.
Central Park shoppers head west to Save A Lot for a convenient selection of groceries.
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Easy access to public transportation
In addition to being walkable to many of the city’s attractions, Central Park is along situation on several MTA Flint bus routes. “About 40% of the residents don’t have access to a personal vehicle,” Sain says. “So public transportation is very important.” For those who do drive, Central Park is located less than a mile from the Interstate 475 and Interstate 69 interchange, offering quick trips out of the city in all directions. However, the major roads bring some noise to the area. The Bishop International Airport is 6 miles away and the nearest hospital is the Hurley Medical Center, 2 miles north.
Charter schools and early college degrees
Flint has a school-of-choice system, allowing parents to apply to any school in Genesee County. Public school options include Pierce Elementary, rated D-plus by Niche and Southwestern Classical Academy, rated C. Middle schoolers can attend Holmes STEM Middle School Academy, rated 2 out 10 by GreatSchools. Within the neighborhood, WAY Academy of Flint is a charter school for middle and high students with a hybrid online and in-person learning model. Another local charter is Flint Cultural Center Academy, which has a creative focus and serves kindergarten to eighth grade. Mott Middle College partners with Mott Community College to offer high schoolers a chance to earn an associate degree upon graduation. Less than a mile away, Genesee Early College is a similar high school, but partners with the University of Michigan Flint Campus. Genesee Early College receives an A rating and is ranked as the best public high school in Flint.
Flint Southwestern Classical Academy offers students a dynamic learning environment.
Way Academy of Flint administration boasts a B+ rating on Niche.
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Crime levels and water safety
Central Park's CAP Index crime score is 8 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4. In 2024, the city reported that crime rates had gone down 17%, an ongoing trend of decreasing rates since 2021.In 2014, Flint residents experienced dangerous levels of lead contamination in their tap water due to inadequate water treatment. By 2016, the water met federal safety requirements, and the city began a project to replace outdated pipes. The Environmental Protection Agency still recommends all residents use a water filter as the city completes its infrastructure overhaul.
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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Quaint and community apartment complex positioned in the Flint College Cultural Neighborhood of the Greater Down. The apartment complex is conveniently located within 5 minutes walking distance of the newly upgraded Flint Public Library, Flint Institute of Art, Flint Institute of Music, the Planetarium. It is also conveniently within a 5 minute walk of the historic Mott Community College and a 10
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
711
Median Age
51
Population under 18
12.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
32.2%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$16,087
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$50,902
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88.8%
College Graduates
25.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.9%
% Population in Labor Force
27.9%
Significantly below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
32''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
36''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
49/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
45/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
48/ 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.
