$51,681Average Value$40Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
MLK Circle is a former Flint factory neighborhood united by community
MLK Circle is the northernmost neighborhood along the city's Martin Luther King Avenue corridor, which was a thriving community in the early 1900s. "It was primarily a blue-collar neighborhood because the automobile giant General Motors had a plant located not very far from there," says Shelly Wolin, a Realtor with Weichert, Realtors - Grant Hamady and longtime Flint resident. After the plant closed in 1999, the area fell on hard times. "When they discontinued Buick manufacturing and literally tore down the factory, a lot of those neighborhoods fell into disrepair," Wolin says. "And investors ran in thinking they could buy homes cheap and turn them into rental properties." Today, home prices are still some of Flint's lowest. Recent city efforts have helped tear down dilapidated structures, and dedicated community organizations offer support to residents.
Early 1900s homes at some of Flint's lowest price points
MLK Circle has the classic Flint architecture of a neighborhood built around an automobile plant. Ranch-style homes and bungalows from the 1900s to the 1950s line the gridded streets. Mature trees have started to fill the vacant lots left by torn-down homes, and grass grows over cracked sidewalks. About half the population rents, and many properties are owned by the local land bank.
The Genesee County Land Bank helps reduce the number of vacant properties by acquiring dilapidated homes to demolish, renovate or resell. "The land bank offers those homes on pretty generous terms," says Wolin, although buyers must typically meet renovation requirements before fully owning the home. Smaller investment properties range from $7,000 to $35,000. From $45,000 to $65,000, buyers might find renovated houses or properties with acreage.
Recent renovations at STEM-focused public schools
Kids can attend Brownell STEM Academy for elementary school, which earns a D-plus from Niche. Students then move on to Holmes STEM Middle School Academy, which is not yet rated by Niche. The two schools are part of one campus that was renovated in 2024 and now offers an Early Childhood wing for infants through toddlers, new playgrounds and sports facilities, and a community space called "The Cube." For high schoolers, Southwestern Classical Academy earns a C-minus. Flint Public Schools offers free breakfast and lunch to all students, and Holmes STEM continues to provide those free meals during the summer. Since the district has a school of choice system, kids may apply to any school in Genesee County.
Churches and non-profits have free meals and after-school programs
Many local organizations and houses of worship offer support for residents. "The farther north that you go, you're going to find a significant number of churches," Wolin says. "It seems to me that those churches seem to have the growing capacity to pull people together in difficult times." Cathedral of Faith Ministries offers free meals for kids in the summer, and Church Without Walls Flint hosts events with free haircuts and school supplies. Farther south, North End Soup Kitchen has hot meals available every single day, and Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village offers free after-school programs in art and athletics for kids.
Recreation includes basketball courts, sports leagues and festivals
Within the neighborhood, Clara Hilborn Park has basketball courts and a playground. About 2 miles south, Max Brandon Park is a larger option with walking trails through more than 100 acres of land. Locals also have their pick of several community centers within a few miles. Berston Field House has served Flint since the 1920s and offers art classes, fitness facilities and sports leagues for all ages. Flint Development Center plans events like music festivals, and Hasselbring Senior Center has activities and classes for older residents.
Several options for neighborhood grocery stores
There are several grocery options within the neighborhood, including Dollar General, Landmark Food Center and some smaller corner stores. Hutchinson Neighborhood Market has been serving the area for over 30 years. This area only has a few small restaurants, including Big Baby's BBQ & Fish for fried catfish and Pierson Grill for drive-thru breakfast foods.
Bus lines connect to Flint's growing downtown district
Downtown Flint is 4 miles south, and buses running along Dupont Street, Martin Luther King Avenue or Saginaw Street get there in about 15 minutes. The city center is home to the University of Michigan - Flint, and has a popular year-round farmers market. Wolin says that downtown has come a long way in recent years. "You saw it fall almost into a grave and then come back with all the semi-cosmopolitan things — restaurants with dining going out on the streets, the college has moved downtown," he says. "There's a rebirth in the city of Flint."
The closest hospital is Hurley Medical Center, about 3 miles south, and locals can reach Bishop International Airport in just over 10 miles.
Crime information and updates on water quality
In 2014, unsafe levels of lead contamination were found in Flint's tap water. The Environmental Protection Agency has since declared the water safe, but it still recommends that residents use a tap water filter. The neighborhood's CAP Index Crime Score is 5 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4; however, some types of violent crime score as high as 9 out of 10.
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
MLK Circle
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
8
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
MLK Circle Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in MLK Circle, Flint sell after 63 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in MLK Circle, Flint over the last 12 months is $20,001, down 23% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nestled in the heart of Flint, Michigan, the single-family residence at 618 W Austin Avenue presents a unique opportunity to own. Built in 1956, this home offers four bedrooms, one and a half baths for convenience. There's ample space for rest and rejuvenation, allowing you to create to your individual needs and personal touch. This property is more than just a house, it's a place to build a
Why rent when you can own! Move-in ready, fully renovated three-bedroom, one-bathroom home with garage! Discover the perfect blend of modern updates and classic charm in this fully remodeled three-bedroom home. This house has a handy one-car garage that offers additional storage space and safe parking. This home features a new furnace, new hot water heater, newer roof, and updated plumbing,
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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.
