Modest homes in the culturally rich north side of Lafayette
Much of the development and growth of the Lafayette area has been focused on the central and southern areas of the city. But Mills North, a humble community just north of Downtown Lafayette, isn’t going to be left behind as the city around it changes. During the early days of Lafayette’s history, the area hadn’t become part of the city yet, and became a spot for residents to sort out their differences outside of town, earning it the nickname “Fightinville.” The area and the nearby La Place des Creoles became part of the city in the 20th century, but the nicknames stuck around. Today, residents in Mills North maintain community food pantries and petition for improvements to the area’s infrastructure, with a mix of public and private investment set to turn the area’s fortunes around. The community’s Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center is a key location in the city’s partnership with the New Orleans Pelicans basketball team, with youth outreach programs for kids and teens. The Lafayette Parish School System’s Truman Early Learning Center, a $30 million facility for the community’s youngest learners, opened at the beginning of 2024 at the intersection of University Avenue and Willow Street.
Simple homes and a few elaborate manors
Single-story homes with one to two bedrooms make up most of Mills North’s home market, with an average home value of $60,000. Residents can also find other home styles in the area, including Cape Cods, Craftsman and rancher-style homes and some secluded French-style estates. The area has an equal number of owners and renters, and most homes can be found for less than $100,000.
A one-story, Ranch-style home with a long driveway and attached deck in Mills North.
A one-story, Craftsman-style home with an attached garage in the Mills North neighborhood.
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Interstate 49 is the lifeblood of Mills North and connects the area with the rest of the state.
Get there with Interstate 10 or University Avenue
North University Avenue serves as Mills North’s primary north-south thoroughfare, while the neighborhood is bordered by Interstate 10 to the north and Cameron Street to the south. The neighborhood connects to surrounding areas through West Willow Street. The Lafayette Transit System connects Mills North passengers to the greater Lafayette area with stops along University Avenue, Gilman Road, and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Residents commuting into the downtown area can expect a commute of about 2 miles. For longer trips to northern Louisiana or the New Orleans area, residents can use Interstate 49/US 90.
Winning women’s basketball at Lafayette High
The Lafayette Parish School System serves students in the Mills North part of town. JW Faulk Elementary School offers free tutoring for students through a partnership with Sylvan Learning of Acadiana and follows goals set by the school district for year-over-year improvement. The school holds a C grade with Niche users. Lafayette Middle School also holds a C grade. Lafayette High School’s Lady Lions basketball team won the Division 1 Select State Championship in 2023. The school holds an A grade on Niche.
Local stops and national favorites
Residents can find a range of regional and national retailers bordering the Mills North area. Cracker Barrel, Church’s Texas Chicken and McDonald’s operate near the neighborhood’s entrance to Interstate 10 at University Avenue. Near the west side of the neighborhood at Willow Street and University Avenue, Family Dollar and Dollar General both offer everyday items. Following Willow Street 2 miles east into the Evangeline area, Super 1 Foods is a dependable stop for groceries, while DD’s Discounts offers marked-down clothing and other items. The Northgate Mall hosts a mix of local businesses, with national brands like The Home Depot, Sonic, Checkers and Popeyes. Other local stops include T & J Grocery, which offers house-made boudin, and Express Donuts, where residents can also find pretzel dogs and kolach.
Cracker Barrel in Mills North offers Southern cooking and hospitality from morning 'til night.
Mills North has several retail centers which provides easy, quick shopping trips for locals.
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Enjoy days out at Dorsey Park
The Martin Luther King Jr. Recreational Center at Dorsey Park is a hub for community outreach and activities in Mills North. The center offers Meals on Wheels programs, early voting for local elections, a library branch and complimentary Wi-Fi. Residents can also find an indoor pool and a walking trail on the grounds, and the center’s gym is available for hosting community events. Residents can also enjoy games of basketball or picnics at St. Anthony Park near Arthur Street or take the kids to the playground at the nearby J. Wallace James Park on Hopkins Street in the West End.
Small but vibrant flowers can be found if you look hard enough in the Mills North area.
Mills North offers state-of-the-art outdoor workout equipment in its parks.
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Learn new skills at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center
The MLK Rec Center hosts a variety of enrichment programs for locals to enjoy. Residents can stop by throughout the week to learn how to play the piano, enjoy senior-friendly aerobics classes or help young ones learn life skills at Cub Scouts meetings. The center also hosts all-ages basketball leagues and youth volleyball.
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.
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On average, homes in Mills North, Lafayette sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Mills North, Lafayette over the last 12 months is $69,500, down 29% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Are you looking for Commerical or Residential space to Build? If so look no further, these three (3) lots consists of a ''Multi-Use'' Zoned location (Cameron St.) and could be used for Multiple options to build either Residential or ''Light'' Commercial i.e.(Office spaces; Coffee Shop; Barber Shop; Beauty Shop; Mini-Mall Retail Investment Rental Space etc.) These Lots are'Mixed-Use' Zoning in a
Are you looking for Commercial or Residential space to Build? If so look no further, these three (3) lots consists of a 'Mixed-Use' Zoned location (CameronSt.) and could be used for Multiple options to build either Residential or 'Light' Commercial i.e.(Office spaces; Coffee Shop; Barber Shop; Beauty Shop;Mini-Mall Retail Investment Rental Space etc.) These Lots are 'Mixed-Use' Zoning in a Prime
Discover versatile living--and income potential--in this two-in-one property, featuring a spacious 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom primary residence paired with a self-contained in-law suite. Live in one unit while renting the other--generating income and flexibility from day one!Ideal for homeowners looking to offset mortgage.Priced accordingly. Ready to sell--don't miss your chance to capitalize
Property Id: 926827**Freshly Remodeled 3 Bed 2 Bath Home Available October 1, 2025**Big Yard**Central A/C & Heat**Appliances Included** 5 Minutes from DownTown
Large 4 bedroom 3 bathroom home on a corner lot in an established neighborhood. Located near the Martin Luther King Jr. Center. Playground, recreation center and bus stop all within walking distance.
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