Surrounded by industrial buildings near the Grand Rapids riverfront Black Hills is a small suburb of established homes named after the black walnut trees that used to line its streets. Bordered on the west by the Grand River and located less than 2 miles south of downtown, the neighborhood comprises roughly 350 single-family homes, with the oldest built at the turn of the 20th century. The residential streets are separated from the riverfront by a rail yard and factories that were a significant source of employment when Grand Rapids was known as Furniture City. The neighborhood also holds a lot of history; "It was the first neighborhood in Grand Rapids that was bought and developed by Black contractors, with a focus on providing homes for the Black community," says Leigh Ann Young, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker. Since then, the area has diversified significantly, and people from all walks of life call Black Hills Home.
Black Hills is a residential nook filled with century-old charm.
The Black Hills neighborhood is known for its sprawling industrial area.
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Parks in every direction
Kensington Park is a small neighborhood green space with children's playscapes and a soccer field. Marquette Park is just slightly further from home and is the go-to spot for playing and getting active. When locals aren't playing pick-up games on the soccer field and basketball courts, they watch a baseball game on the stadium-style seats at the diamond. Dog lovers can bring their canines to the enclosed dog park, and those with a green thumb can plant vegetables in the petite community garden. The paved Oxford Street Trail crosses the Grand River. From there, walkers can loop back home or continue to the 18 miles of walking trails around Millennium Park.
Oxford Street Trail is a paved bike path that runs over the Grand River in Grand Rapids.
Clemente DIY Skate Park attracts dozens of Grand Rapids skaters daily.
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Where the community socializes over coffee
Some historic buildings that anchored the city's industrial sector now house new businesses, including Grand Rapids Coffee Roasters, which operates out of the old Johnson Furniture Company building. On weekdays, residents can purchase bags of beans and coffee brewing accessories, but the space really comes to life on Saturdays. "We bring people in to experience the brewing process and socialize," says the owner, Craig Patterson. "It's a way for them to get off their phones and learn something new." Over 10 Mexican and Latin restaurants line Cesar E. Chavez Avenue, and Rodriguez Supermarket is the nearest full-service grocer for the community. A collection of popular brew pubs are between the neighborhood and downtown for beer lovers to enjoy. "All you have to do is go up the corridor, and there are plenty of options," Young says. "They call Grand Rapids Beer City USA."
Visitors can enjoy a relaxing atmosphere at Grand Rapids Coffee Roasters in Black Hills.
Tacos El Cuñado is a restaurant where Black Hills folks can enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine.
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Residences enclosed by tall trees
The heavily industrial area is home to a sewage treatment plant and a waste-management service. But a buffer of trees along Plaster Creek helps block the noise from the busy facilities. The neighborhood's housing is split seemingly by street, with an eclectic collection of homes built in the early decades of the 20th century on one and cozy ranch-style homes from the 1950s on the next. American Foursquare homes, bungalows, farmhouses and ranches range between $150,000 and $275,000, depending on size and condition. No homeowner's association exists, but residents tend to their lawns carefully and take pride in their curb appeal. "Unfortunately, there are a lot of investors buying the houses and turning them into rental properties," Young notes. "It's sad because people don't take care of something as much when they don't have a stake in it." However, those wanting to set down roots can expect to join a community that looks out for one another while spending less than the Grand Rapids average on a historic home.
Black Hills contains a wide variety of spacious homes.
Rows of ranch-style homes line a few streets of the Black Hills neighborhood.
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Students can choose their learning focus
The city of Grand Rapids falls under a school-of-choice district, offering neighborhood and themed schools for students to attend after applying. Many young students begin learning at Southwest Elementary School, which offers bilingual English and Spanish education. Burton Middle School is the top option for students in Grand Rapids who use English as a second language. Both schools have a C-minus rating on Niche. From ninth grade through graduation, students can attend Innovation Central High School. Rated a B-minus, the school offers dual enrollment and career pathway programs focusing on STEM learning.
Southwest Community Campus School is a public elementary and middle school in Grand Rapids.
Burton Middle School is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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Getting around and downtown
U.S. Route 131 and Interstate 196 border the neighborhood and traverse Greater Grand Rapids. Buses stop right in the neighborhood. Residents with cars can park them in detached garages accessed via alleyways that intersect the gridded roads. The nearest hospital, Trinity Health, is 2 miles northeast, and Gerald R. Ford International Airport is 12 miles southeast.
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
Hunter Nelson,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Marquette Park
Basketball
Soccer
Playground
Kent County Park Commission
Roberto Clemente Park
Kensington Park
Picnic Area
Soccer
Trails
Oxford Trails
Trails
Hiking
Wyoming Dog Park
Dog Park
Parking Lot
Transit
Airport
Gerald R Ford International
28 min drive
Bus
Oxford & Norwich (Eb)
Bus
Dorchester & Hall (Sb)
Bus
Hall & Godfrey (Wb)
Bus
Oxford & Dorchester (Wb)
Bus
Dorchester & Curve (Sb)
Bus
Dorchester & Eton (Sb)
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Black Hills
US
Homicide
7
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Black Hills, Grand Rapids sell after 18 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The average sale price for homes in Black Hills, Grand Rapids over the last 12 months is $214,184, up 7% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$215,000
Median Single Family Price
$215,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$196
Last 12 months Home Sales
26
Median List Price
$219,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
6%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
201
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Hunter Nelson,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,179
Median Age
29
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
35.5%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
6.5%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$53,200
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$51,103
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
70.6%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
10.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.2%
% Population in Labor Force
69.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
119''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
41/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
22/ 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.
