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SWAN

SWAN

Suburban Neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Kent County 49504

$231,734 Average Value
$180 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

A vibrant community along the river

The Grand River isn’t the only thing flowing in South West Area Neighbors, better known as SWAN. There's beer, thanks to the many breweries and pubs in the neighborhood's commercial districts. And there's history, with multiple museums preserving scientific and presidential history and nearby parks paying homage to the region’s Native American roots. Downtown Grand Rapids is just a mile away from SWAN, whose mix of century-old homes, modern condos and high-rise apartment buildings attracts everyone from families to college students. “The residents are a defining feature here,” says Mitch Luban, broker and owner at Edison Brokers Co. “It is a good group of different people living side by side.”

Southwest Area Neighbors, or SWAN for short, is a riverfront neighborhood in Grand Rapids, MI.
Southwest Area Neighbors, or SWAN for short, is a riverfront neighborhood in Grand Rapids, MI.
The SWAN neighborhood sits upon the Grand River in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The SWAN neighborhood sits upon the Grand River in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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Live music, breweries, and coffee beans

Grand Rapids has garnered the nickname “Beer City, USA,” and SWAN is a big reason why. Multiple breweries populate the neighborhood's central commercial district to the northwest, while bars and pubs can be found along Fulton Street to the south. Grand Rapids Brewpub – also known as The Knickerbocker – and Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria & Brewery are two of the more popular spots. Locals head to the Bitter End Coffee House for organic coffee served all day. At Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, live music and beer can be enjoyed in the low-lit, wood-lined setting. Bridge Street Market is the main grocery store offering fresh produce and a free-to-use parking garage.

Places like New Holland Brewing in SWAN help Grand Rapids earn the nickname “Beer City, USA.
Places like New Holland Brewing in SWAN help Grand Rapids earn the nickname “Beer City, USA."
At Bitter Ends Coffee House in SWAN, organic coffee beans are served all day.
At Bitter Ends Coffee House in SWAN, organic coffee beans are served all day.
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Parks, presidents and planetariums

The Grand Rapids Public Museum sits along the banks of the Grand River and invites visitors to explore its extensive collections of historical exhibits, dinosaur bones and aquariums. Space enthusiasts can catch a show at the adjoining Roger B. Chafee Planetarium. Across the street, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum enshrines the nation’s 38th Commander-in-Chief with memorabilia and artifacts from the life and career of President Ford. Ah-Nab-Awen Park was once the site of a Native American Village and reflects the area's heritage with interpretive markers and pieces of art. On the other side of the neighborhood, Lincoln Park features expansive green spaces and basketball courts.

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum showcases the life and career of the 38th president.
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum showcases the life and career of the 38th president.
The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium is located in the Grand Rapids Public Museum in SWAN.
The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium is located in the Grand Rapids Public Museum in SWAN.
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Century-old homes and renovated townhouses

SWAN’s housing is predominantly American four-square and Craftsman-style builds dating back to the late 19th and early 20th century. Homebuyers can also find Dutch Colonials and classic Cape Cods scattered throughout the sidewalk-lined streets. “Housing is a good mix of single-family and converted multifamily living,” says Luban. Renovated modern condominiums and high-rise apartment complexes populate the neighborhood's northwest corner. Single-family residences run between $175,000 and $300,000, while multifamily options range from $150,000 to $200,000. The market is very competitive, and listings, on average, sell after 9 days on the market compared to the national average of 43 days.

Many historic American Foursquare homes are located in SWAN.
Many historic American Foursquare homes are located in SWAN.
The SWAN neighborhood has rows of multi-level homes.
The SWAN neighborhood has rows of multi-level homes.
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Grand Rapids Public Schools with higher education nearby

The Grand Rapids Public School District serves SWAN’s younger residents. Students begin their education at Sibley Elementary and Westwood Middle School, both of which received a C rating on niche. Westwood Middle School offers one of the only STEM programs in the region and immerses students in computer programming, robotics and hands-on STEM labs. Union High School also received a C-rating. Graduates looking to pursue higher education while staying close to home can head to Grand Valley State University’s Pew campus, which sits right in the heart of SWAN and is a center for engineering and business. Sacred Heart Academy is a private school option for parents to consider.

Sibley Elementary is a public school located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Sibley Elementary is a public school located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Grand Valley State University’s Pew Campus sits in the heart of SWAN.
Grand Valley State University’s Pew Campus sits in the heart of SWAN.
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A Polish celebration

On the last weekend of August, thousands of people head downtown to attend the Dozynki Polish Festival, longest-running ethnic festival held in Grand Rapids. The city is home to a large and vibrant Polish-Lithuanian community whose roots in the area can be traced back more than a century. The three-day festival is a celebration of Polish culture, and features free live music, eating contests, and of course, Polka dancing.

Access to highways and downtown

Interstate 196 intersects with U.S. Route 131 in the neighborhood's northwest corner, connecting SWAN to the greater Grand Rapids area and surrounding regions. The Rapid public bus transit system, including the free Downton Area Shuttle (DASH), has multiple stops throughout the neighborhood. Gerald R. Ford International Airport is 15 miles away and can be reached by heading southeast on Interstate 96.

Historic houses of worship

SWAN has numerous historic houses of worship that reflect its Eastern European heritage including St John Chrysostom Russian Orthodox Church, which was founded by immigrants in the early 1900s and continues to operate today. St. Mary Catholic Church and St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church are other houses of worship with historical roots.

SWAN is home to some beautiful churches with historic architecture, including St. Mary's.
SWAN is home to some beautiful churches with historic architecture, including St. Mary's.
St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church is one of the historic churches in SWAN.
St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church is one of the historic churches in SWAN.
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Beck Connelley
Written By
Beck Connelley
Jonathan Fairfield
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Jonathan Fairfield
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Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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 Joe Loftis, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Gerald R Ford International

24 min drive

Bus

Straight Ave Station (Wb)

Bus

Museum District (Cw)

Bus

Butterworth & Lane (Wb)

Bus

Bridge & Seward (Eb)

Bus

Lake Michigan Dr (Cw)

Bus

Butterworth & Straight (Eb)

Bus

Mt Vernon & Pearl (Sb)

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime SWAN US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$216,500
Median Single Family Price
$220,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$187,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$180
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
99
Months of Supply
0.40
Median List Price
$224,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-10%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
905
Median Year Built
2014
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,395
Significantly below the national average
1,936
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
926
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
633
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,920

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Joe Loftis, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
5,949
Median Age
30
Population Density
10 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
6.6%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$63,451
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$71,141

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
89.8%
College Graduates
32.9%
Advanced Degrees
4.9%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
74.8%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
119''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

71 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

83 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

56 / 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.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
SWAN