About 2 miles from Downtown Asheville, Southside is bordered by the River Arts District and is home to the little-used W Line of the Norfolk-Southern railway. Between the 1930s and ‘50s, Southside was home to a segregated Black community with successful businesses but often low-quality housing. In 1965, the City of Asheville launched the East Riverside Urban Renewal Project with the intention of improving local housing, but ultimately, this project resulted in the demolition of historic homes, local land being sold to developers of more expensive homes, and the displacement of the original community to other parts of the city – taking their businesses with them. More than 50 years later, changes are now in the air. “Recently, there have been lots of new developments and investments in Southside,” says David Bluth, Broker-in-Charge of Blueblaze Realty, who has sold several properties in the South Asheville area. Businesses may be slow to return, but refurbishments to many local homes, parks and recreation centers are bringing back Southside’s residential vibe.
Southside
Suburban Neighborhood in Asheville, North Carolina
Buncombe County 28801, 28803
Old bungalows line Southside's streets
“The land is a lot flatter in Southside than other parts of Asheville, making development and renovation a lot easier,” says Bluth. Fixer-uppers are common here, often midcentury ranch-style homes and 1920s bungalows are common; three-bedroom versions of both start $330,000 and can go up to $450,000 for larger yards that provide more privacy. Two-story Craftsman homes that have been heavily renovated start at $800,000 for a three-bedroom. Vacant lots and early-to-mid 20th-century ranch-style homes needing a great deal of repair average around $125,000.
Easy access to US-25
Southside has direct access to US-25; Downtown Asheville is a 5-minute drive away, while it's less than a mile to the South Slope Convenience Store. Residents can also rely on the Asheville Rides Transit’s 10 local stops. Mission Hospital is right next door, just off US-25, while Asheville Regional Airport is a 15-mile drive to the south.
River Arts up the road
A five-minute walk along Depot Street, Vivian offers European and regional dishes from Josiah McGaughey, who was nominated for Best Chef of the Southeast by the James Beard Foundation. Across the railroad tracks in a converted warehouse, Marquee is a sprawling marketplace where vendors from in and around Asheville sell vintage décor, contemporary paintings and more.
Walton Street Park’s enduring legacy
At Walton Street Park, residents can stroll on the newly paved walking path or enjoy family cookouts at the barbecue stations. A new outdoor pool opened in 2023 at the Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Community Center, where locals can go for a swim or play water basketball. “Southside also places you closer to hiking and waterfalls on the Blue Ridge Parkway,” says Bluth.
Asheville High around the corner
Local kids can attend Isaac Dickson Elementary, which earns an A-minus from Niche, before continuing to the B-plus-rated Asheville Middle. The A-rated Asheville High’s historic 21-acre campus holds seven buildings and an expansive sports facility that includes a baseball and football field. Go, Cougars!
Community farmer’s markets and cookouts
On the first Sunday of every month, the Southside Community Farm hosts its own farmer’s market at the Reid Memorial Recreation Center; some locals also contribute their own homemade goods. Community groups like Southside Rising and Southside United Neighbors Association bring locals together for block parties and cookouts at Walton Street Park.
Southside to receive reparations
Asheville is one of the first cities in the United States to support reparations for its Black community. Since 2020, the Community Reparations Committee has been considering options for how these reparations will be used to benefit Southside. Community efforts led by Southside Rising, the Southside United Neighbors Association, and other groups led to the Asheville Parks and Recreation Department investing heavily in local parks and public spaces in 2022.
Written By
Fletcher Varnson
Photography Contributed By
Viktor Zagorevskiy
Video By
Khalil Chisholm
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Trip Howell
Trip Howell
Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty
(828) 672-3550
95 Total Sales
2 in Southside
$75K - $105K Price Range
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Joanna Baker
Joanna Baker
Responds QuicklyPatton Allen Real Estate LLC
(828) 672-6156
87 Total Sales
1 in Southside
$660,000 Price
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Monica Krider
Monica Krider
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams Professionals
(833) 591-2165
75 Total Sales
1 in Southside
$762,500 Price
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Maurie Hill
Maurie Hill
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams Professionals
(828) 672-6145
47 Total Sales
1 in Southside
$530,000 Price
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Jessica Colley
Jessica Colley
Keller Williams - Black Mtn.
(352) 388-3983
125 Total Sales
1 in Southside
$421,000 Price
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Jonathan Gonzalez
Jonathan Gonzalez
NextHome Partners
(949) 867-7971
138 Total Sales
3 in Southside
$265K - $325K Price Range
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Carrier Park
Herb Watts Park
Aston Park
- Bike Trails
- Trails
- Playground
Walton Street Park
French Broad River Park
- Bike Trails
- Dog Park
- Fishing
Foundation Skatepark
Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center
Asheville Playgrounds
Murray Hill Park
- Grills
- Picnic Area
- Playground
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Southside | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 9 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 7 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 9 | 4 |
| Robbery | 8 | 4 |
| Burglary | 9 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 8 | 4 |
| Larceny | 7 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 8 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Southside, Asheville sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Southside, Asheville over the last 12 months is $375,314, down 7% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$330,000
Median Single Family Price
$430,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$342
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Last 12 months Home Sales
5
Months of Supply
4.80
Median List Price
$430,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
7%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-10%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
179
Median Year Built
1951
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,316
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,712
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,213
Median Age
40
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$18,414
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$38,851
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
84.6%
College Graduates
21%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.9%
% Population in Labor Force
54.7%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
46''
Average Winter Low Temperature
27°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
11''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
30
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
32
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
34
/ 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
South French Broad
An essential Southside community near downtown
River Arts District
Creative hub along French Broad River with eclectic architecture and artsy charm
East End
An easy walk to African American history and downtown Asheville
Kenilworth
Storybook streets, mountain views and convenient accessibility
Montford
Historic community with modern touches and walkability
Reviews
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