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Falling Waters

Falling Waters

Neighborhood in Jackson, Michigan

Jackson County 49203

$104,229 Average Value
$90 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

Early 20th century homes along a cross-town rail line turned bike path

Falling Waters Trail, a 10-mile walking path running through the Southside area of Jackson, was once the Michigan Air Line Railroad, connecting the city to Concord in the southwest from the 1870s to the 1980s. In later decades, the train tracks would wither before finding a new purpose as the trail in the late 2000s, cutting a path for walkers and cyclists through the Southside’s blocks of early 20th-century homes. The surrounding community also had to evolve to reflect a changing population and local economy, leading to efforts from local leadership to advocate for a brighter future for the area while preserving the diverse population living nearby. “It’s a really nice trail for mountain biking. There’s a lot of cool variety out here, it’s just a smaller town,” says Tim Creech, associate broker with Five Star Real Estate Leaders. Creech has more than a decade of experience selling real estate in Jackson and the Irish Hills region.

The Inter-city Bike Trail is a 14-mile paved trail connected to Howard Woods Recreation Complex.
The Inter-city Bike Trail is a 14-mile paved trail connected to Howard Woods Recreation Complex.
Southside locals are proud to live in the Falling Waters neighborhood.
Southside locals are proud to live in the Falling Waters neighborhood.
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Minimal traditional homes and stately houses in southside Jackson

Buyers can find homes from 1900 to the 1950s in a mix of styles in the Falling Waters area. Some larger homes from the neighborhood’s earliest days offer design elements like bay windows, ornamentation and towers that call Queen Anne and neoclassical design to mind. Other properties offer a simpler look in line with minimal traditional and early Craftsman standards, featuring wood or vinyl siding, enclosed porch areas and freestanding garages. Prices generally range from $75,000 to $265,000.

Traditional minimal homes in Falling Waters are very charming and well-kept.
Traditional minimal homes in Falling Waters are very charming and well-kept.
Residents of Falling Waters enjoy a quiet neighborhood.
Residents of Falling Waters enjoy a quiet neighborhood.
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Important things to know

Falling Waters, along with other Southside communities such as Flat Iron and King, is one of the focus areas for the Martin Luther King Jr. Corridor Improvement Authority. This board was established by the Jackson city government in 2020 to improve living conditions for existing residents, attract new businesses and update public spaces in the Southside near Prospect Street and South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Falling Waters Trail connects cyclists to greater Jackson area

Falling Waters Trail runs along the lower end of the neighborhood, running from Southside Jackson out to Summit Township to the southwest before culminating on the north side of the village of Concord. Also called the Inter City Bike Trail, the path connects the neighborhood to the Howard Woods Recreation Complex. Baseball and softball fields are available alongside the complex's playground and sports courts. Amenities in the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center next door include after-school care for local students, the Tony Dungy/Comcast Media Lounge for computer and internet access, and a local meeting room that hosts college classes and local organization gatherings. The tail system also connects residents to Ella Sharp Park to the southwest, which features 18-hole golf, mini-golf and disc golf courses, the locally focused Ella Sharp Museum and the Peter F. Hurst Planetarium.

The Recreation Center at Howard Woods Recreation Complex has a fitness center for locals to use.
The Recreation Center at Howard Woods Recreation Complex has a fitness center for locals to use.
Jackson has numerous parks close to the Falling Waters neighborhood for locals.
Jackson has numerous parks close to the Falling Waters neighborhood for locals.
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Journeys from Fourth Street to downtown Jackson

Falling Waters residents are connected to the city’s core areas through the Southside’s main thoroughfares. Prospect Street and High Street are the area’s primary east-west connections, while Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Fourth Street run north toward Downtown Jackson and south to the city limits. Jackson Area Transit Authority bus stops are available in the neighborhood along First Street, High Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The neighborhood is about 2 miles south of Downtown Jackson, 39 miles west of Ann Arbor and 42 miles south of Lansing. For medical emergencies, Henry Ford Jackson Hospital is about 2 miles north of the neighborhood. Flights departing the south Michigan area depart from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, 62 miles east.

Recently updated Jackson public schools

Cascades Elementary School is one of Jackson’s newest public schools, originally opening in 2021 as a replacement for the school on the same grounds. The school has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio and a C grade on Niche. Renovations made to the C-ranked Middle School at Parkside campus since 2018 have included updates to the library, cafeteria and band room. In 2021, Jackson High School got its own indoor pool on campus, which is also used by the city’s parks and recreation department. The school earns a B-plus grade on Niche.

The baseball field at the middle school at Parkside regularly hosts Jackson Vikings ball games.
The baseball field at the middle school at Parkside regularly hosts Jackson Vikings ball games.
Jackson Vikings Field at Jackson High School is set in the center of a wide running track.
Jackson Vikings Field at Jackson High School is set in the center of a wide running track.
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BBQ, fast food and general stores

While business options are somewhat limited in the Falling Waters area, residents can still find a small mix of local stops for dining and shopping. 308 Brass Rail offers pub grub and draft beers in a casual atmosphere with TVs, pool tables and vintage décor. Pryor’s BBQ House is a local favorite for ribs, Jackson-style Coney dogs and catfish, served from a simple drive-through on Prospect Street. Familiar fast food in the area includes McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and Domino’s, while additional sit-down restaurants are available about 2 miles north in downtown Jackson. Corner stores in the area include Royal Liquor and Food Market, JIC Convenience Store and mainstream choices such as Family Dollar and Dollar General to the east. Additional shopping options include Polly’s Country Market and Walmart, both less than 3 miles northwest of the neighborhood.

Falling Waters locals head to Pryor's BBQ House for the best barbecue in the neighborhood.
Falling Waters locals head to Pryor's BBQ House for the best barbecue in the neighborhood.
Falling Waters locals head to Dollar General for their last-minute items after work.
Falling Waters locals head to Dollar General for their last-minute items after work.
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Southside get-togethers, hot air balloon celebrations and country music festivals

Elnora Moorman Plaza, situated between the neighborhood’s portion of the Falling Waters Trail and its northern surroundings in King, hosts the annual Southside Festival Series each summer. This set of gatherings sees the local African-American community gather to showcase local artists, spark outreach efforts from local organizations and celebrate the spirit of the Southside. To the south at Ella Sharp Park, the Hot Air Jubilee brings balloons into the skies over Jackson each summer for championships and to give residents the chance to see the city from a new angle. Residents can also venture beyond Jackson to the annual Faster Horses Festival in Brooklyn, near the Irish Hills area to the neighborhood’s south. The festival features a mix of local, rising and nationally known country music acts.

Tre Lyerly
Written By
Tre Lyerly
Scottie Davison
Photography Contributed By
Scottie Davison
Charlie Lingner
Video By
Charlie Lingner

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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 Amanda Breneman, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Falling Waters US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$102,500
Median Single Family Price
$102,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$90
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Last 12 months Home Sales
25
Months of Supply
1.00
Median List Price
$124,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-15%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
196
Median Year Built
1920
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,617
Below the national average
1,936
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,573

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

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

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,011
Median Age
36
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$45,357
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$59,706

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
86.3%
College Graduates
14.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.6%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.6%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

71 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

54 / 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
Falling Waters