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Essex Heights

Essex Heights

$300,658 Average Value
$383 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

Nostalgic charm awaits in this southwest Jackson neighborhood

Sitting on the hills over a park on the west end of Jackson, Essex Heights offers a refined lifestyle with a residential focus. The nostalgic appeal of the neighborhood’s traditional home design, easy access to beloved attractions and short distance from downtown Jackson’s food and local businesses make this area one of the city’s most sought-after communities. “Essex Heights is a very established neighborhood. It has a bit of an older vibe, but in a good way,” says Valerie Stover, the head broker at the Val Stover Real Estate Team and a lifelong resident of the Jackson area.

Varied traditional homes from the early 20th century

20th-century homes in a mix of styles sit under a dense tree canopy in Essex Heights. Buyers can find 1960s split-level homes, Tudor-style properties from the late 1920s and a few 1990s new traditional properties along the curved residential streets. Homes with integrated or drive-under garages are common, and many homes offer restored or updated interiors to fit contemporary lifestyles. Values generally range from $150,000 to $400,000.
Rows of Tudor revival homes line both sides of Dale Road in Essex Heights.
Rows of Tudor revival homes line both sides of Dale Road in Essex Heights.
Colonial homes with attached garages are another common architectural style in  Essex Heights.
Colonial homes with attached garages are another common architectural style in Essex Heights.
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Educational options at Jackson Public Schools nearby

Families in Essex Heights can enroll students in Jackson Public Schools or other districts in the Jackson County area. Cascades Elementary School is one of the district’s newest schools, having opened in 2021. The school has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio and earns a C grade on Niche. Middle School at Parkside also earns a C grade. Jackson High School offers more than 20 athletic programs throughout the school year and earns a B-plus grade on Niche.
Cascades Elementary School serves over 400 students in southwest Jackson.
Cascades Elementary School serves over 400 students in southwest Jackson.
A wide looping drive runs to the entrance at Middle School at Parkside.
A wide looping drive runs to the entrance at Middle School at Parkside.
Jackson High School maintains an overall B-plus on the popular school ratings site Niche.
Jackson High School maintains an overall B-plus on the popular school ratings site Niche.
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Waterfall light shows at the Cascades

Sparks Foundation County Park is home to the Cascades, a waterfall structure brightened by a state-of-the-art lighting system. As one of Jackson’s most distinctive attractions, the Cascades has been in operation for more than 90 years and hosts local gatherings during the summertime. Betsy Butterfield Memorial Park and Playground offers a smaller-scale neighborhood park on the southeast side. For running and cycling enthusiasts, the Falling Waters/Inter City Bike Trail crosses through the city just south of the neighborhood. Traveling further south, Ella Sharp Park is another key destination park, offering 562 acres of recreation space with a mix of hilly terrain and even plains. Visitors can play mini-golf or a full 18-hole game at the public park. Other amenities at the park include a disc golf course, courts for tennis and pickleball, and the Peter F. Hurst Planetarium. Ella Sharp Park also hosts the annual Hot Air Jubilee each summer, an annual celebration including car shows, food vendors and hot air balloons.
The Cascades at Sparks Foundation County Park have weekly light shows May through August.
The Cascades at Sparks Foundation County Park have weekly light shows May through August.
Ella Sharp Park is home to a public 18-hole golf course with a series of challenging greens.
Ella Sharp Park is home to a public 18-hole golf course with a series of challenging greens.
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Fast food close by and shopping options in neighboring communities

The area's residential focus means residents may have to take a short drive to the best shopping and dining options. Polly’s Country Market, a local grocery chain with roots dating to the 1930s, is the neighborhood’s closest stop for food and household goods. Additional shops nearby include Great Lakes Ace Hardware, Rite Aid and Family Dollar. Quick bites near the neighborhood include Wendy’s and Little Caesars locations just north of the community and McDonald’s and Pryor’s BBQ House to the east. Locals can head north to the shops along West Avenue or downtown Jackson for additional dining and shopping options.
Polly's Country Market chain has has operated from the Essex Heights location since 1934.
Polly's Country Market chain has has operated from the Essex Heights location since 1934.
Another option available for hungry Essex Heights locals is the convenient Wendy's Drive-thru.
Another option available for hungry Essex Heights locals is the convenient Wendy's Drive-thru.
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Local celebrations at the Cascades and Downtown Jackson

Located on the grounds of Sparks Foundation County Park, Cascades Amphitheater hosts summertime events at the glowing waterfall. Locals can stop by for fireworks shows on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day, listen to local musicians at the annual concert series or try the latest and greatest dishes from the local food truck scene. To the north in Downtown Jackson, locals can enjoy live music alongside classic cars at the popular Cruise-In Concert series during the summertime or enjoy refreshments while exploring local businesses within the social district.
Sparks Foundation County Park is widely know for its Cascades light shows at the man-made falls.
Sparks Foundation County Park is widely know for its Cascades light shows at the man-made falls.
The Jackson District Library near Essex Heights is one of 53 Carnegie Libraries in the nation.
The Jackson District Library near Essex Heights is one of 53 Carnegie Libraries in the nation.
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Easy travel to points of interest with South West Avenue

South West Avenue, situated on the eastern side of Essex Heights, is the area’s primary thoroughfare. Residents can take the road north to reach downtown Jackson, the city’s northern shopping areas and other points of interest. The neighborhood is about 2 miles south of Downtown Jackson, 39 miles west of Ann Arbor and 41 miles south of Lansing. The nearest hospital, Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, is about 3 miles northeast of the neighborhood. Jackson Area Transportation Authority stops are available along South West Avenue for bus travel. For travel beyond south Michigan, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport sits about 63 miles east of the neighborhood.
Tre Lyerly
Written By
Tre Lyerly
James Gordon
Photography Contributed By
James Gordon
Conar McDaniel
Video By
Conar McDaniel

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 Heather Herndon, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Essex Heights US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Essex Heights Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$499,990
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$499,990
Last 12 months Home Sales
0
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$383

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
83
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1950
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,524
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
84,070

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 Heather Herndon, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
380
Median Age
40
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$63,750
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$78,698

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
91.5%
College Graduates
38.1%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
15.9%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
67.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
32''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
35''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

30 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

31 / 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
Essex Heights