$189,991Average Value$503Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Keeping Paul A. Diggs' legacy
Named after civic leader, educator and one of Lakeland’s first Black social workers, the established residential neighborhood of Paul A. Diggs is defined by a strong sense of community. The civic spirit that Paul A. Diggs championed can be seen today in neighborhood facilities such as Dream Center of Lakeland, a non-profit organization dedicated to meeting residents’ needs and affecting positive change, and the Simpson Park Community Center, an indoor/outdoor complex that brings residents together through recreation.
Community connection at The Dream Center
The Dream Center of Lakeland is the heart of the community. Every Saturday morning, kindergarten through fifth grade children are joined by their peers from other Lakeland neighborhoods for Kids Club. Volunteers share life lessons, sing and play games with the gathered youth. Teens have access to mentoring programs, athletic activities and RISK Club, which aims to teach lessons in managing money, applying for jobs and succeeding in school. Dream Center also offers adult classes in financial management, integrity and parenting, and holds a weekly Sunday morning pancake breakfast known as The Well. The gathering is a family affair that helps maintain community ties by allowing residents to get to know their neighbors and make new friends. Larry R. Jackson Branch Library is also a mainstay in the neighborhood. “We offer free library cards to all of the residents,” shares Jackson Hager, librarian supervisor at the branch. “For kids, we have weekly story times and monthly hands-on science and craft projects, and we try to offer programs on early release days. We also offer larger-scale events like summer programming and themed events, like a Star Wars Day on May 4th, Pirate Day and holiday events.”
Magnet and charter schools nearby
The Rochelle School of the Arts typifies the neighborhood’s focus on education. Offering an array of classes tailored to students’ creative abilities, the magnet school serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade and has a score of B on Niche. Established in 1992, Rochelle was the first of its kind in Florida and has become a model for performing arts schools nationwide. New Beginnings High School is a charter school south of the neighborhood that serves grades nine through 12 and has a D-plus on Niche. The school approaches education through a blended learning technique that supports marginalized and struggling students in reaching educational success.
Recreation and the Lakeland Dreadnaughts
Most recreational activity in the neighborhood happens at Simpson Park Community Center. Amenities include a 10-lane pool, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, a recently renovated softball field and a fitness center. The facility also is home to the Lakeland Table Tennis Association, which competes in tournaments throughout the state. Children can run around Simpson Park’s “Triple Nickle” Playground, a large, shaded playground named after a World War II all-black firefighting parachute regiment. Jackson Park is another popular green space, featuring a playground, shuffleboard courts and a series of historical markers outlining the accomplishments of John S. Jackson, the first Black surgeon at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Within walking distance is Bryant Stadium, where the seven-time state football champions, the Lakeland Dreadnaughts, play their home games.
Living in Teaspoon Hill and Black Bottom
Present-day Paul A. Diggs encompasses smaller areas historically known as “Teaspoon Hill” and “Black Bottom.” The neighborhood has cozy bungalows and cottage-style properties with Craftsman and contemporary visual aesthetics. Investment properties typically list between $75,000 and $150,000, while newly renovated homes cost between $170,000 and $350,000. The area receives a 7/10 on the CAP Index; however, The Community Services Unit of the Lakeland Police Department works with the neighborhood association and community members to better protect property and persons.
Highway 98 offers dinner and downtown
U.S. Highway 98 is a retail and dining corridor for the neighborhood. For a warm cup of coffee, Mary’s Bagel Café is the go-to stop. Jamaican Jerk Kitchen is right next door, serving traditional offerings like oxtail and curry chicken for lunch and dinner. For a quick bite, Church’s Texas Chicken is a favorite for Southern-inspired meals. Lakeland Seafood and Super Choice Foods along West Memorial Boulevard offer various grocery items, from fresh-caught fish to packaged products. If residents want more options, 98 connects directly to downtown Lakeland less than 2 miles south.
Getting around Paul A. Diggs
Major thoroughfares for the area are West 10th Street, Highway 98 and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. Commuters can use these to navigate to other parts of the city or board Citrus Connection buses. For more extensive travel, Lakeland Linder International Airport is about 7 1/2 miles southwest.
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
America Diaz,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Bonnet Springs Park
Playground
Museum
Nature Center
Webster Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Playground
Munn Park
Trails
Parking Lot
7th Street Park
Basketball
Playground
Events
Booker T. Washington Park
Jackson Park
5th & Kettles Kids Park
Reviews
Niche Reviews
3.25 Reviews
3.0Niche User
1/7/2015Niche Review
Yes If I need something I can go and get it for this store. It may be very expensive, the area in which I live in is not a good area that's why I'm trying to go back to school and get a career to take me and my child out of it.
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Paul A Diggs Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Paul A Diggs, Lakeland sell after 20 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Paul A Diggs, Lakeland over the last 12 months is $447,500, down 42% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
America Diaz,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,847
Median Age
35
Population Density
8 ppl/acre
Population under 18
30.2%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$20,405
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$37,282
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
74.4%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
9.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.1%
% Population in Labor Force
52.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
56''
Average Winter Low Temperature
51°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
66/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
65/ 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.
