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Rivertown

Rivertown

Suburban Neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan

Wayne County 48207, 48226

$315,432 Average Value
$220 Average Price per Sq Ft
21 Homes For Sale

A continually evolving riverfront district

Rivertown is a historic Detroit neighborhood experiencing the latest transformation of its storied lifetime. Originally a warehouse district along the Detroit River, it was also becoming a happening Detroit nightlife destination by the mid-1990s. That’s when the city bought out several local businesses with the intention of placing a casino in the neighborhood. The casinos never came – instead, they were built in Greektown and Downtown. Rivertown pivoted to building condos, giving this formerly all-commercial area near Detroit’s celebrated Riverwalk a growing number of residential addresses.

Orleans Landing condominiums in Rivertown are located just a short walk from downtown.
Orleans Landing condominiums in Rivertown are located just a short walk from downtown.
Rivertown offers plenty of paths to walk, jog, and bike.
Rivertown offers plenty of paths to walk, jog, and bike.
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A former hockey heaven still serves neighborhood needs

Rivertown was once the ideal place for Red Wings fans to gather before and after games at nearby Joe Louis Arena. However, once the Wings left “The Joe” for the brand-new Little Caesar’s Arena in 2017, that element of Rivertown life also reinvented itself. “We used to be busiest during the winter,” says Tom Woolsey, owner of neighborhood mainstay Andrews on the Corner. “Now it’s busiest in the summer, with more of the Riverwalk crowd coming in.” Woolsey’s family has been serving food and drinks here since 1918, and there’s a reason Andrews on the Corner has endured a multitude of challenging local and worldwide events through the decades. “You just work hard and try to treat people well,” Woolsey says. “When you're treated well with a good product, you want to go back.” Nearby Atwater Brewery and Taphouse has been here since 1997, featuring a dozen year-round beer selections as well as a rotating seasonal menu. Pizza Papali’s of Rivertown is popular for serving both Detroit- and Chicago-style pies. The deceptively named Rattlesnake Club is a fine dining restaurant that serves locally sourced seasonal dishes with a waterfront view of Canada across the Detroit River.

Visit the biergarten tap house at Atwater Brewery in Rivertown.
Visit the biergarten tap house at Atwater Brewery in Rivertown.
Rivertown enjoys new establishments such as Breadless on Detroit's east side.
Rivertown enjoys new establishments such as Breadless on Detroit's east side.
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High-rise condos are on the rise

"If you go back 30 years, there wasn’t much residency,” Woolsey says. That’s changing at a rapid pace. “Now there are a lot of condos,” says Adam Soroka, Realtor with @properties Detroit. “They have a lot of development in that area with some high-rises.” One-bedroom condos range from $100,000 to around $160,000. For a two-bedroom condo, the range is $170,000-335,000. Mutli-bedroom luxury lofts have sold between $380,000-605,000. “Detroit’s more affordable than most cities,” Woolsey says. “People who come from out-of-town rave about how affordable it is to live here. It’s a good value for the money.”

Enjoy the recently installed wildlife preserve in Rivertown in front of River Place condos.
Enjoy the recently installed wildlife preserve in Rivertown in front of River Place condos.
Residents of Rivertown have a choice in newer condominiums.
Residents of Rivertown have a choice in newer condominiums.
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Riverwalk and multiple parks create a taste of the outdoors

The Detroit International Riverwalk – named the best in the country by USA Today from 2021-23 -- spans the entire neighborhood, also offering access to several popular riverfront parks. “The Riverwalk transformed this into a nice landscape,” Woolsey says. Visitors can go fishing or peer into Canada from atop the berm at William G. Milliken State Park. Mt. Elliott Park has a play area designed to resemble a Great Lakes schooner. Robert C. Valade Park, the newest in Rivertown, has a sandy beach and a children’s musical garden. It’s also the embarking point for Bob’s Barge, which is billed as Detroit’s only floating bar during the summer. The neighborhood is also adjacent to Gabriel Richard Park, and MacArthur Bridge provides a path to the greenery and multiple fishing areas on Belle Isle.

Play chess with family along the riverfront in Rivertown.
Play chess with family along the riverfront in Rivertown.
Rollin on the River welcomes newcomers and experienced skaters in Rivertown.
Rollin on the River welcomes newcomers and experienced skaters in Rivertown.
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Venues worthy of R-E-S-P-E-C-T

The Outdoor Adventure Center at Milliken State Park is a hands-on museum offering city residents a simulated selection of outdoor activities available in the vast outdoors of Michigan. The Aretha Franklin Amphitheater, named for Detroit’s Queen of Soul, is a covered 6,000-seat outdoor venue that hosts jazz, R&B, hip-hop and pop concerts on the banks of the Detroit River.

Detroits award-winning Riverwalk offers all sorts of sights to behold in Rivertown.
Detroits award-winning Riverwalk offers all sorts of sights to behold in Rivertown.
The Outdoor Adventure Center in Rivertown gives a taste of Michigan adventure.
The Outdoor Adventure Center in Rivertown gives a taste of Michigan adventure.
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Ideal for getting around on foot

The Riverwalk covers a 3-mile span, making Rivertown one of Detroit’s most walkable and bike-friendly neighborhoods. Residents can easily bike or walk to three grocery stores – Meijer Rivertown Market, Harbortown Market or Gordon Food Service. There is also a DDOT bus route along Jefferson Ave.

Talk a stroll along the Detroit River in Rivertown.
Talk a stroll along the Detroit River in Rivertown.
The Dequindre Cut stretches from Rivertown via a former Grand Trunk Western Railroad line.
The Dequindre Cut stretches from Rivertown via a former Grand Trunk Western Railroad line.
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School options available for interested families

The buzz of Rivertown living is more catered to young professionals than young families, but potential students living in the neighborhood have options. Nearby Chrysler Elementary School has a B-rating on Niche. Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences Middle School is in Rivertown and has a D-minus rating. University Preparatory Science and Math High School is a tuition-free charter school in the neighborhood. U Prep has a C-minus rating on Niche. Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High is a C-minus-rated Detroit Public School near the neighborhood. Detroit Waldorf School is a private K-8 option for Rivertown residents.

Rivertown youth can attend Detroit Waldorf School.
Rivertown youth can attend Detroit Waldorf School.
University Preparatory Science And Math High School serves Rivertown students.
University Preparatory Science And Math High School serves Rivertown students.
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Sounds of city life are a factor

Rivertown is near the heart of downtown Detroit, and that comes with the perks and drawbacks of city living. Noise is a factor, and not just from the usual sources – the Detroit River forms the border with Canada and is a busy corridor for cargo ships that sometimes blare their powerful horns. Crime can also be a factor in this heavily trafficked area. The CAP Index gives Rivertown an 8 of 10 crime score.

Alex Hickey
Written By
Alex Hickey
Owen Kaufman
Photography Contributed By
Owen Kaufman
Derek Fowler
Video By
Derek Fowler

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Alexander Zachary, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Windsor International

26 min drive

Bus

E Grand Bl & Jefferson

Bus

Jefferson & Concord

Bus

Jefferson & Helen

Bus

Jefferson & Chene

Bus

Jefferson & Harbortown

Bus

Jos Campau & Jefferson

Bus

Jefferson & Walker

Crime and Safety

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

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$219,900
Median Single Family Price
$361,500
Median Townhouse Price
$456,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$242,600
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$164,950
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$220
Number of Homes for Sale
21
Last 12 months Home Sales
43
Months of Supply
5.90
Median List Price
$247,450
Median Discount From 1st List Price
6%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-28%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
271
Median Year Built
1986
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,324
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,638
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,339
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
828

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Condo Buildings

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Alexander Zachary, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
2,106
Median Age
42
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
11.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$76,578
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$112,545

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.3%
College Graduates
63%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
36.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
75.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
30''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
38''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

81 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

81 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

49 / 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
Rivertown