$459,212Average Value$282Average Price per Sq Ft12Homes For Sale
Parks are the center of life in South Central
With over 1,000 acres of green space to explore, life in the Salem neighborhood of South Central revolves around its parks. These public spaces, particularly Bush's Pasture Park and Minto-Brown Island Park, serve as gathering spaces for the community. Whether it's a walk through nature, fishing in the Willamette River or a picnic among the towering trees, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the local parks. Local organizations like the Salem Art Association and the Mission Street Parks Conservancy constantly host events at Bush's Pasture Park. "They have a big art fair and a couple of different community things at Bush's Pasture Park. A lot of it is art-themed. They have a big plant sale in the spring," says Denise Busch, a broker at Paramount Real Estate Services who has sole homes in the neighborhood. "They try to use Bush Park whenever they can." While the parks are one of the main draws of the area, the neighborhood also provides easy access to shopping, dining and schools, making it a well-rounded Salem community.
Visitors take a closer look at the artwork on display at the Salem Art Fair and Festival.
Cyclists enjoy the paved trails at Minto-Brown Island Park in South Central.
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History and nature at South Central parks
Bush's Pasture Park—commonly called Bush Park—has a long history as the ancestral land of the Kalapuya people before coming under the ownership of Asahel Bush. Bush was an early settler in Oregon and founder of the Oregon Statesman newspaper, who left the property to the city to become a park. Today, the 90.5-acre site is home to towering Oregon white oaks and bright purple camas flowers. Several walking trails wind through the park, offering a scenic way to exercise. The Bush House is open as a museum, showcasing the way of life in the late 1800s. The family barn is home to an art gallery that displays works by regional creators. Other features of the park include a playground, tennis court, sports fields and a Soap Box Derby track.
Minto-Brown Island offers a different park experience, with more access to nature. The 1,200-acre area has 29 miles of trails, including 5K and 10K loops. The park is constantly full of people walking, running, biking or playing with their pets in the 30-acre off-leash dog park. There are multiple fishing ponds and docks throughout the park, as well as access to the Willamette River. Approximately 300 acres of the park is a dedicated conservation area, home to waterfowl and wildlife like blue herons, ospreys, rabbits and the occasional cougar. The Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge connects to Riverfront Park and Downtown Salem at the park's northern end.
Bush's Pasture Park has miles of walking paths through trees and fields in South Central.
Minto-Brown Island Park has shaded areas for visitors to enjoy in South Central.
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Unique dining experiences on Commercial Street
Commercial Street is the main avenue in the neighborhood for shopping and dining. Straight From New York Pizza is a casual counter-serve spot offering pizza by the slice, whole pies and calzones. Down the block, Best Little Roadhouse serves several cuts of steak and homemade yeast rolls alongside a full bar with local beer and wine. The restaurant has an 18-hole mini golf course, full of creative and challenging holes incorporating water features and other obstacles. Natural and organic groceries are available at LifeSource Natural Foods, a local grocery store on Commercial Street. There is also a Roth's Fresh Market and Fred Meyer further south of the neighborhood. There is a Walmart on Commercial Street and a Costco on 27th Avenue for more household items.
20th-Century homes add charm to South Central
Housing styles in South Central are divided along Commercial Street, with areas east of the road featuring modest Craftsman homes and cottages. The streets here are mostly laid out in a grid, with sidewalks adding walkability through the community and mature trees scattered throughout. Houses are typically between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet and cost between $300,000 and $500,000. West of Commercial Street, the roads climb steadily up a hill that crests at John Street. This part of the neighborhood has a more natural feel, with towering trees extending branches over the roads and meticulous landscaping on the front lawns. Craftsmans are still common here, but buyers can also find Tudor Revival and Colonial Revival homes. Most are still around 1,000 to 2,000 square feet, but some are up to 3,000 square feet. This part of the neighborhood is also home to Mahonia Hall, a 100-year-old Tudor mansion that is the official residence of the Oregon governor. Houses in this area cost between $500,000 and $800,000. Larger homes with 4,000 square feet can cost between $900,000 and $1.9 million.
Home styles vary from smaller cottage to larger contemporary styles in South Central.
Classic bungalow homes are common in the South Central neighborhood.
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Salem Art Fair and Festival and other South Central events
There is always something happening in South Central, including several events and attractions. Bush Park hosts annual plant sales, during which vendors sell herbs, perennials, and native plants. The Salem Art Fair & Festival has been showcasing photography, jewelry, ceramics and other handcrafts for over 75 years. In addition to the art displays, the festival has food vendors, beer and wine gardens and live performances. The Bush House isn't the only historic building in the neighborhood; Deepwood is a Queen Anne-style home on the community's east side that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house is open for tours Wednesday through Saturday, but the gardens are open daily for the community to enjoy. The Salem Public Library just north of the neighborhood has a variety of resources, including cultural passes that offer admission to local museums or state parks. The library also puts on storytimes and offers the Library of Things, a catalog of household items and tools that people can check out.
The historical Deepwood Estate offers tours in the South Central neighborhood.
The Salem Art Fair and Festival showcases a variety of artists including dancers.
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Preparing students for college and careers at Salem schools
McKinley Elementary School and Leslie Middle School each receive C-plus ratings from Niche. South Salem High School is rated a B-plus and serves approximately 2,200 students. The school opened in 1954 and quickly found success in athletics and academics. The Saxons football team were co-state champions in 1954, and the school had its first National Merit Scholar in 1959. Today, South Salem High offers career and technical education courses in broadcast journalism, manufacturing and sports medicine. The school also has dual credit programs through partnerships with Chemeketa Community College, Oregon Tech and Western Oregon University.
McKinley Elementary School serves grades K-5 on McGilchrist St SE in Salem.
Leslie Middle School on Pringle Rd SE brings students from South Salem together.
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Plenty of ways to get around the capital city
Commercial Street and Liberty Street are the main thoroughfares in the neighborhood, leading north to Downtown and south to South Salem. Mission Street is just north of the community and leads 3.5 miles east to Interstate 5. Cherriots bus routes 8, 7 and 21 pass through the neighborhood, providing public transit to Downtown, Salem Hospital and South Salem. The hospital is just across Mission Street from the neighborhood, making it convenient for employees or those seeking medical care. The closest airport is in Portland, about 60 miles away.
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
Crystal Qian Hu,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
West Salem Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Riverfront Park
Clark Creek Park
Bush's Pasture Park
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Trails
Pringle City Park
Gilmore Field City Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
South Central
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in South Central, Salem sell after 69 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in South Central, Salem over the last 12 months is $454,969, up 9% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Accepted Offer with Contingencies. Gardner’s Paradise! Beautifully updated 4 bed/2 bath home w/780 sq.ft basement on a 0.27-acre lot + fully fenced yard. Features original hardwood floors, gas fireplace & two remodeled baths—one with walk-in shower. Updates include plumbing, insulation, electrical, newer roof (2023)mini splits upstairs & HVAC w/AC added in 2022. Backyard oasis incl. blueberries,
Colleen BensonKELLER WILLIAMS CAPITAL CITY BENSON BROKER GROUP
Step into this custom-built Fairmount home and enjoy sweeping views of Minto Brown Park through floor-to-soaring-ceiling windows. Open concept kitchen features SubZero Fridge and gas island range. A new Wolfwood deck and retaining wall surround the pool. Solar panels are paid off for HUGE energy savings, and new HVAC/AC provide year-round comfort. Oversized primary with private balcony has large
Always want it to be Summer? Now it can be! This rejuvenated 3 bed 1 bath w/ large bonus room has it all. Fenced yard for doggo, NEW ROOF, beautifully refinished original hardwood floors & secret door to access bonus space with duel reading nooks & lots of storage. New kitchen, adorable built-ins and more. Enjoy a cup of coffee on the second floor, covered deck, in this desirable Salem
2-BEDROOM 1 BATH DUPLEX 5 minutes from Salem Hospital, downtown Salem and Willamette University - This duplex is located near the end of a dead-end street and experiences very low traffic. This duplex is has had extensive remodeling-- move in ready and super convenient! Only a 5 minute drive to Salem Hospital, downtown Salem or Willamette University. Brand new flooring throughout, quartz
2-BEDROOM 1 BATH DUPLEX 5 minutes from Salem Hospital, downtown Salem and Willamette University - This duplex is located near the end of a dead-end street and experiences very low traffic. This duplex is has had extensive remodeling-- move in ready and super convenient! Only a 5 minute drive to Salem Hospital, downtown Salem or Willamette University. Brand new flooring throughout, quartz
Professionally Managed by:Valley First Property Management LLCContact our main office to view the property.• 1 bed 1 bath• 750 sq ft approx.• Kitchen appliances stove/refrigerator• Washer/dryer hook-ups• 1-car garage• Utility room• Garbage service included• SORRY, OWNER HAS A NO PET/NO SMOKING POLICYDates and unit availability are
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Crystal Qian Hu,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
6,805
Median Age
40
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$66,117
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$87,220
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.6%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
36.7%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
15.7%
% Population in Labor Force
66.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
35°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
52/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
49/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
31/ 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.
