$98,048Average Value$210Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
A historically significant Louisville neighborhood
California is one of Louisville’s most historically significant neighborhoods. The neighborhood, founded by German immigrants around the mid-19th century, started going by its current name during the time of the state of California’s gold rush. The distinct name comes simply from the fact the neighborhood was on the western edge of Louisville. Once home to several distilling operations, one of the neighborhood’s most prominent occupants is the Brown-Forman company. The world renown bourbon maker keeps its corporate headquarters in California, which is easy to spot by the Old Forester bottle water tower overlooking the campus’ historic brick industrial buildings. Today, California is among the neighborhoods involved in a greater effort to redevelop the city’s west end. An example of the progress can be seen with the nearly 78,000-square-foot Republic Bank Foundation YMCA that was opened in late 2019. “It’s a well done commercial building driving positive attraction to the neighborhood,” says Barrett Goff, broker and founder of Allodium Real Estate, who’s made one sale in California. The YMCA branch expanded the community’s recreational sites, which are among the neighborhood's cherished amenities. “You got Victory Park, you got California Park and a couple smaller parks. Victory Park is a pretty nice attraction for the area. I’ve sold houses right down the street from that,” Goff says. The real estate broker has roots in the community, as his grandfather’s first house was in California. “That neighborhood, it’s got a very rich history because Louisville kind of started in that area,” he says.
The California neighborhood is one of the older, more established neighborhoods in Louisville.
California neighborhood is centrally located to Downtown Louisville.
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Enjoying YMCA’s modern facilities and neighborhood greens paces
Republic Bank Foundation YMCA members can access a variety of amenities. They can get some cardio and strength training done at the new state-of-the art fitness center and get some morning laps in at the pool. Runners who prefer to not to jog outside during the winter can still get their miles in on the indoor track during the colder parts of the year. While the YMCA is surely a welcome addition, California has other popular green spaces, as well. Children enjoy burning off energy at the playgrounds in California and Victory parks, the former of which includes an artfully painted community center that comes complete with a gym and a public computer lab with free Wi-Fi. The park and center are located right between the Refuge in Kentucky and St. Stephen Baptist churches, both of which are neighborhood pillars.
The Republic Bank YMCA is conveniently located close to California.
Victory Park in the California neighborhood is a great place to relax at a bench.
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Classic bungalows with some shotgun houses and camelbacks
One distinct feature of California is that many of the houses in the community can be found on raised lots with extended stairways. “The houses just seem to sit up, nice and tall,” Goff says. That’s particularly the case on West Kentucky Street, where rows of closely arranged bungalows enclosed by chain link fences line portions of the roadway. The homes, many of which are about a century old or older, back into groups of trees that include some tall and mature oaks. Other homes with camelback and shotgun traits can be found in other parts of the neighborhood, which also has some two-story townhouse style affordable homes with large staircases and front decks. Several homes are billed as investment or restoration opportunities. Price points for much of the houses here can go from just over $50,000 to the upper $100,000s, with overall size playing a factor.
In California, cottage style homes are common.
Wide streets and walkways are hallmarks of the California neighborhood.
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Grab a plate at award-winning Louisville Smokers BBQ’s
For dining, a few community favorites for down home cooking exist near the southern end of California along West Oak Street. Those hungry for a variety of tantalizing meats can stop by the award-winning Louisville Smokers BBQ, which operates out of a humble shack and prepares much of its tasty fares in a massive smoker. A Kroger off West Broadway exists just outside of California’s western bounds.
Smoked rib tips are the specialty at Louisville Smokers near California.
People line-up and pull-up for smoked BBQ at Louisville Smokers near California.
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The new Hudson Middle School
Younger children in California can attend Cochran Elementary School, which received a C-minus grade from Niche. They also have the benefit of being able to attend the new Hudson Middle School, which doesn’t have a Niche rating yet due to having just opened in 2023. Hudson will only enroll sixth and seventh graders for the 2024--2025 school year and is west Louisville’s first new middle school in nearly a century. The school is also operating out of the Wheatley Elementary School as it awaits the construction of a new facility over the next few years. The new school’s students can get on specialized pathways for areas like engineering and design and public service. Neighborhood students can also attend Barret Traditional Middle School and Central High Magnet Career Academy, which respectively received an A-minus and B-minus from Niche.
Hudson Middle School serves the residents of California neighborhood.
Cochran Elementary School provides education in the neighborhood of
University.
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Concerts and special film screenings at Louisville Memorial Auditorium
California lies just west of the Louisville Memorial Auditorium, an establishment that stands out with its Neoclassical style building. The venue has the distinction of having the world’s largest Pilcher pipe organ. Visitors through the years have enjoyed a diverse lineup of annual events that have included orchestral concerts, plays and even student performances. In 2023, leading cast members of the cult 2004 film Napoleon Dynamite stopped by the auditorium for a viewing and discussion of the movie.
Few miles from downtown Louisville hospitals
California sits between interstates 264 and 65, which both provide routes north to Indiana and to other communities in the Louisville area. Neighborhood residents have access to a number of TARC bus stops. California is about a 6 mile drive north of the Louisville International Airport. The community sits about 2 miles west of a downtown medical district that is home to several institutions that include the UofL Health - Jewish Hospital, the Norton Children’s Hospital and the UofL Hospital, the latter of which also serves as a teaching and research facility.
TARC buses help California residents connect to the rest of the city.
California neighborhood is centrally located to Downtown Louisville.
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Important community facts
California has an overall CAP Index crime score of eight out of 10, double the national average.
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
Are you familiar with the California neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
California
US
Homicide
10
4
Sexual Assault
7
4
Assault with Weapon
9
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
7
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
California Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in California, Louisville sell after 95 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in California, Louisville over the last 12 months is $417,000, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nothing to do, just move right into this cute home situated on a corner lot, with lots of updates. From the entry foyer into the living room you'll find the brick fireplace adding character and potential functionality, then to the kitchen with boast new white cabinets, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances, the mudroom/laundry provides additional space and convenience when entering
Location Location!!! Looking for a home in a park like setting? Literally this lovely gem is just steps away from the new ''Alberta Jones Park''. A 1 story all brick home with 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths. Enjoy the park views while sitting on the front porch, then as you step inside the living room is spacious and brings in lots of light. The eat-in kitchen features all new white cabinets,
This 4 bedroom 2 bath home offers an exceptional amount of indoor space with over 2100 square feet.As you step into the grand entry way you'll discover the first of the many touches of elegance featured throughout this home. From the wood columns which define the space between the foyer and living room, to the living room with brick fireplace flanked by wall sconces providing ambient lighting,the
*ESTIMATED TOTAL MONTHLY LEASING PRICE: $ 1,749.95Actual Base Rent: $ 1,645.00Filter Delivery: $5.00Renters Insurance: $10.95$1M Identify Protection, Credit Building, Resident Rewards, Move-In Concierge: $34.00High-speed Internet up to 1 Gig: $55.00*The Estimated Total Monthly Leasing Price reflects the Base Rent plus our Resident Benefits Package, which includes
Welcome to 1542 — a freshly renovated 4-bedroom, 1.5-bath rental offering modern finishes and spacious rooms. Step into a bright and inviting layout with new luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout, fresh neutral paint, and large windows that let in natural light.This home features multiple living areas, two decorative fireplaces, updated light fixtures, and a clean, functional kitchen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Richard Dean,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
4,801
Median Age
35
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
30.3%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$17,665
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$31,811
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
78%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
4%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.8%
% Population in Labor Force
54.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
48''
Average Winter Low Temperature
28°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
14''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
78/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
54/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
44/ 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.
