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South Park

South Park

$498,332 Average Value
$176 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

New development arriving in a culturally and historically significant Raleigh neighborhood

Situated just southeast of Downtown Raleigh’s central business district, South Park is one of the city’s largest and oldest historically African American neighborhoods. The area is home to parks and community centers detailing the neighborhood’s history, plus the oldest historically Black university in the South and an array of decades-old churches. Although the past is still very much present in South Park, the neighborhood is also forward-looking. More and more new developments are arriving in the area thanks to its close proximity to Downtown Raleigh, with its trendy restaurants, art spaces and event venues. “South Park is a history-rich neighborhood that blends some of the pieces of that history with an evolving landscape of real estate and individuals who’ve chosen to call it home today,” says Johnny Chappell, a broker with Chappell Residential, who has been selling homes in the neighborhood for over 10 years. “You get this really nice, diverse mix of residents who’ve been there for 50-plus years blended with people who’ve just moved to Raleigh and chose this area for its connectivity to downtown.”

Modern houses and condos next to early 1900s bungalows

South Park’s recent uptick in development is immediately obvious when walking down the street. Brick apartment complexes, early 20th-century cottages and brand-new builds all mingle together along the sidewalks, framed by mature oaks and newly planted saplings alike. Older homes tend to list in the $200,000s and are typically sold as teardowns to make room for new construction homes. A few freshly renovated bungalows retain the style of the neighborhood’s original houses, while newly-built homes often have a distinct contemporary flair. “We have some townhomes in Downtown Raleigh that start at $1.3 million, but our townhouse development in South Park called City Hike starts at about half of that price, Chappell says. "So it’s more affordable than being in the city center, but still very connected to it.” These new or remodeled single-family houses are priced between $430,000 and $800,000. Properties in new condo and townhouse developments start around $400,000 and can climb to $700,000.

Playgrounds and parks, plus a planned cultural trail

The playgrounds at Junious N. Sorrell Park and Bragg Street Park are popular for after-school playdates, while the Little Rock Trail provides shaded paths for walking, running and biking. To the north, John Chavis Memorial Park is home to myriad sports facilities and a robust community center, as well as a historic carousel. The John P. “Top” Community Center houses the “Centuries in the Making” exhibit, which showcases the history of South Park as one of Raleigh’s oldest African American communities. The exhibit also celebrates the contributions of neighborhood residents in shaping the city of Raleigh and pays homage to the community center’s namesake, who was a local activist. Planned renovations to the community center include the South Park Heritage Walk, a planned 2.6-mile loop with interpretive installations that celebrate the neighborhood’s storied past. “Dix Park is such a massive green space in the Raleigh area, and it’s become a hub of activity,” says Kleean, adding that the park is about a mile away. “Dreamville is a hip-hop music festival hosted by J. Cole at Dix Park, and it’s brought some of the biggest names in music to Downtown Raleigh.”

Top-rated Wake County Schools and a notable HBCU

Wake County Schools serves the South Park neighborhood. Joyner Magnet Elementary scores an A-minus from Niche and offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program as well as daily Spanish language instruction. Moore Square Middle receives an A grade, and Broughton Magnet High earns an A-minus. Shaw University, whose campus is situated in the neighborhood, is considered a longstanding pillar of the community. Established in 1865, the private university is the oldest historically black university in the South and the first to open a four-year medical school. In April 1960, Shaw University student Ella Baker founded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, which became an important player in the civil rights movement. Today, the university has an annual enrollment of roughly 1,000 students. “Shaw University brings a bit of a younger feel to the neighborhood, too,” says Jess Kleean, a marketing manager at Chappell Residential.

Dinner at Transfer Co. Food Hall and a show at the Martin Marietta Center

Although South Park is primarily residential, the neighborhood’s proximity to Downtown Raleigh puts some homes within walking distance of trendy restaurants and shops. Raleigh’s historic City Market is known for its cobblestone streets lined by locally owned shops, eateries and arts centers, while Transfer Co. Food Hall is a renovated industrial space that now houses popular spots for bagels, beer and more. Spots to grab a drink are abundant, from the Raleigh Wine Shop and Roshambo Beverage Co. to the Bittery at Crude Bitters, which provides all the supplies for craft cocktails. “Most of the change in the neighborhood has occurred in the past 10 to 15 years, so I think we’re just scratching the surface of what it’ll look like 5 years from now,” Chappell says, noting that a planned mixed-use development called Downtown South is slated to bring new businesses to South Raleigh. For groceries, residents travel a couple of miles along Interstate 40 to reach Food Lion or Sam’s Club. The west side of the neighborhood also borders the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, one of Raleigh’s premiere events venues. The space is equipped with multiple auditoriums and is home to the Carolina Ballet, the North Carolina Opera and the North Carolina Symphony. Other major venues, such as the Raleigh Convention Center and Red Hat Amphitheater, are also within walking distance of the neighborhood.

A diverse array of houses of worship

Some of the churches in and around South Park have served the neighborhood for decades and were historically significant cultural centers for the area’s predominantly African American community. The neighborhood has a high concentration of churches across numerous denominations, along with the Masjid King Khali mosque at Shaw University.

Only partially walkable, but with convenient I-40 access

Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard runs through the middle of South Park and is considered a busy central thoroughfare. Although getting across the four-lane road can be a challenge, other parts of the neighborhood are considered relatively walkable, and there are dedicated bike lanes along numerous streets. Likewise, multiple GoRaleigh bus stops provide alternatives to driving. Downtown Raleigh is about a mile north and entrances to U.S. Route 401 and Interstate 40 are also close by, putting residents within 16 miles of Raleigh-Durham International Airport. WakeMed Raleigh Campus is the nearest hospital, located less than 5 miles east.
Elliot Schorr
Written By
Elliot Schorr
Marc Smith
Photography Contributed By
Marc Smith
Chris Freeman
Video By
Chris Freeman

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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

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Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Raleigh-Durham International

24 min drive

Bus

E Bragg St & S Person St

Bus

Blount St & Bledsoe Ave

Bus

S Blount St & E South Ave

Bus

E Bragg St & S Bloodworth St

Bus

Garner Rd & Bragg St

Bus

Martin Luther King Jr Blvd & S Person St (Eb)

Bus

S Person St & Worth St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime South Park US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 7 4
Burglary 8 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 8 4
Larceny 9 4
Crime Score 7 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

South Park Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$497,355
Median Sale Price
$492,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$304,990
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
80
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
82%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$176

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
467
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1956
Months of Supply
0.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,569
Below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,942
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,569
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
405
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,356

Open Houses

  • Tuesday, Jul 29
    12 - 5pm

    1224 S Person St Unit 101, Raleigh, NC 27601

    $441,990

    • 2 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1,576 Sq Ft
    • 1224 S Person St
    • Unit 101

    Welcome to Lot 8 at The Grey, where modern design meets low-maintenance living—perfect for the Pinterest board you've been quietly curating since 2017. This townhome-style condo offers the kind of open-concept layout your group chat would approve of: the kitchen flows effortlessly into the homey living area, making it easy to host game nights, wine nights, or just collapse on the couch

    Aimee Vasilik SM North Carolina Brokerage

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  • Tuesday, Jul 29
    12 - 5pm

    1232 S Person St Unit 101, Raleigh, NC 27601

    $432,490

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1,576 Sq Ft
    • 1232 S Person St
    • Unit 101

    Welcome to Lot 4 at The Grey - a townhome-style condo that checks all the boxes: stylish, spacious, and dangerously close to a great brunch spot.This thoughtfully curated home features a wide-open layout where your chef-worthy kitchen flows seamlessly into a cozy living area—perfect for hosting friends, binge-watching your latest streaming obsession, or finally trying that sourdough starter

    Aimee Vasilik SM North Carolina Brokerage

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  • Tuesday, Jul 29
    12 - 5pm

    1246 Coach Station Alley Unit 101, Raleigh, NC 27601

    $463,990

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1,576 Sq Ft
    • 1246 Coach Station Alley
    • Unit 101

    Welcome to The Tessa on Lot 44 at The GreyLive in rhythm with Downtown Raleigh in this townhome-style stunner that feels more like your dream loft than a condo. The Tessa isn't just a floor plan — it's a lifestyle. With 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a layout built for both productivity and play, this space was made for those who thrive on connection, convenience, and cool.The

    Aimee Vasilik SM North Carolina Brokerage

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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 Marshall Rich, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
1,556
Median Age
33
Population under 18
25.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.8%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$29,424
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$66,683

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
82.6%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
12%
% Population in Labor Force
55.6%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
46''
Average Winter Low Temperature
32°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

65 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

58 / 100

Good Transit

Transit 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.

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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
South Park
Marshall Rich
Rich Realty Group
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