$286,228Average Value$216Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
A small town in the city
On the south side of the train tracks, as city begins to turn into suburbia, the Alger Heights neighborhood has an unexpectedly small-town feel. Streets are walkable, homes come with backyards, and a modest commercial hub has one of the most diverse selections of shops in Grand Rapids. "It's a city all on its own," says Brenda Pratt, Realtor at Keller Williams, who has sold several homes in the neighborhood. "A perfect mini urban center and millennial haven." Homes are small, so families looking to spread out might choose elsewhere to settle down. But Alger Heights holds on to relatively reasonable prices even in Grand Rapids' skyrocketing market, and those who move here tend to stay. "It's a Mayberry kind of neighborhood," says Jay Brooks, the president of the Alger Heights Business Association — referring to the friendly town from The Andy Griffith Show. "There's not much changeover and a lot of owner-occupied houses. People tend to have a lot of pride in where they live."
Alger Heights' unique businesses unite the community
Even though the commercial corridor at Alger Street and Eastern Avenue is less than a block long, it's the heart of Alger Heights. The neighborhood grocery store, Ken's Fruit Market, has tight isles and only three cashiers. But the produce is fresh, the sauces and spreads are locally sourced, and the cardboard boxes of serve-yourself candy are beloved by local kids. Real Food Café has a vintage diner feel, with red vinyl booths and pictures of the owner's family on the walls. The Old Goat's upscale sandwiches and burgers are often accompanied by a live piano player during dinnertimes. And every Wednesday, the owners of Brass Ring Brewing invite Alger Heights residents to snag a seat at the community table for their well-attended Neighbors Night.
Among other locally owned businesses, there's a barber shop, a hardware store, a coffee shop and a dance studio. "We have one of the most diverse shopping centers in the city — and the people here really care about shopping local," says Ken Bryan, the owner of Making Thyme Kitchen. Making Thyme prepares ready-to-eat meals to heat up at home and bakes their cookies fresh every morning. For Bryan, owning a business in Alger Heights has made him feel like part of the community. "There's a closeness to the businesses here — I get referrals from across the street all the time. It's like that in the neighborhood, too. The people who were born and raised here, their kids choose to live here too, or regularly come to visit. I feel like that tells you something about a place," Bryan says.
Ken’s Fruit Market has a greenhouse in its back parking lot for Alger Heights growers.
Brass Ring Brewing offers outdoor seating and cold beers for pleasant Alger Heights summer days.
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Pop-up markets, Halloween 5k and other Alger Heights celebrations
One of the most popular community events is the Saturday pop-up markets, which showcase local businesses and artisan vendors from across the city. Barbara and Jay Brooks, who own the vintage store Reimagined Treasures, started the pop-up market "to give back to the community," Jay Brooks explains. Come December, the market takes on a holiday twist, with visits from Santa and an outdoor tree lighting ceremony. Another one of Alger Heights' beloved holiday traditions, the Halloween 5K, is returning in 2024 after a break during the COVID pandemic. "Brass Ring Brewing wanted to continue the long tradition of the Halloween 5k. So, they sent an all-call out to the neighborhood and are bringing it back," says Teresa Kinnear, the Community Coordinator for the Alger Garfield Neighbors Collaborative. With the support of local churches and businesses, the collaborative offers welcome packets to new residents and provides grants for neighbors looking to start their own block parties.
As of 2024, the Alger Heights business corridor is designated as a social district — which means alcoholic beverages can be enjoyed outside as patrons mill around the shopping center. "It's been approved, and we are going to start using it in the fall for our Halloween 5k," says Brooks.
Neighborhood parks and "crafternoons" at the local library
Local green spaces include Cheeseboro Park's small playground and Alger Park, which has soccer fields, tennis courts, and a summertime splash pad. The neighborhood also borders MacKay-Jaycees Park, which has lighted soccer fields, tennis courts, and a volleyball sand pit. The park's baseball fields are a popular spot for youth games, complete with a concession stand.
Alger Heights is also home to the Seymour Branch of the Grand Rapids Public Library, which acts as a community hub for the neighborhood. "We see families come in to play board games all the time," says Katie Zychowski, the library director of marketing and communications. "And our monthly crafternoons, where we provide free cookies and craft supplies, have been wildly popular."
Alger Park is located next to Alger Middle School and shares its amenities with it.
The Seymour Branch of the Grand Rapids Public Library resides in downtown Alger Heights.
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Bungalows, cottages and ranch styles at affordable prices
The homes in Alger Heights were built from the 1920s to the 1950s and come in a charming array of bungalows, cottages and ranch styles. Typical of that time, many properties have detached back garages. "The homes might look similar at first, but they all have their own character," says local resident Sara Jeffries. "My favorite part of living here is walking through the neighborhood — it's magical."
One potential downside to Alger Height is the size of the homes, which hardly ever get over 2,000 square feet. However, because of the small floor plans, prices here are still some of the more affordable in the city. Some homes start as low as $150,000, but most range between $200,000 and $400,000. "The prices are great – it's a jumping-off point for first-time buyers who want the walkable convenience of East Grand Rapids without its higher price tag," Pratt says. The market moves quickly in Grand Rapids, but especially in Alger Heights, where homes tend to sell in less than a week. New condominium units are also coming to the neighborhood, expected to be completed in early 2026.
You can find many ranch-style, single story homes in the Alger Heights neighborhood.
Alger Heights has a huge variety of home styles, most of which are on the smaller side.
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Community engagement at the local middle school
Located at the center of the neighborhood, Alger Middle School benefits from the support of an engaged community. In the past, Alger Heights residents have participated in snack drives and book-buying fundraisers for the middle school. "One neighbor organized a group of math and reading tutors at Alger Middle," Kinnear says. "And in less than one marking period, the English teacher reported that test scores had gone up across the board, simply because a few people read with these students for 30 minutes each morning." In addition to resident support, the nearby Salvation Army Kroc Center limits its public pool hours to offer free lessons for Grand Rapids Public School kids.
Other nearby public schools include Brookside Elementary and Ottawa Hills High School. Brookside Elementary and Alger Middle get C-minus rankings from Niche, and Ottawa Hills gets a C. Alger Heights is also about a mile away from Grand Rapids Christian High School, which receives an A-plus rating on Niche and is ranked as the second-best private high school in the Grand Rapids area.
Alger Middle School is rated a C- overall by Niche.com.
Ottawa Hills High School has an overall C rating on Niche.com.
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Bike lanes and bus lines connecting into downtown
Alger Heights is about 4 miles from downtown Grand Rapids, usually a 10-minute drive, though it can be more like 20 in rush-hour traffic. The Rapids public buses have stops along Eastern Avenue that connect directly to downtown, and several routes leading into the city have designated bike lanes. Compared to other neighborhoods, Alger Heights is a bit farther from major highways. Still, the neighborhood does border 28th Street — a bustling four-lane road that heads over to the Woodland Mall, several large grocery stores, and chain restaurants in about 3 miles. Residents also have pretty direct access to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, which is 7 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
Kyle Geenen,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Ottawa Hills Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Football
Mulick Park
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Tennis
Cheseboro Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
MacKay Jaycees Park
Baseball/Softball
Grills
Picnic Area
Alger Park
Baseball/Softball
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Seymour Park
Transit
Airport
Gerald R Ford International
18 min drive
Bus
Eastern & Ottillia (Sb)
Bus
Burton & Newark (Eb)
Bus
Eastern & Burton (Nb)
Bus
Burton & Cornelius (Wb)
Bus
28th & Eastern - East (Wb)
Bus
Eastern & Mayhew Wood (Nb)
Bus
Burton & Nelson (Wb)
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Alger Heights
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Alger Heights, Grand Rapids sell after 9 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Alger Heights, Grand Rapids over the last 12 months is $288,273, up 4% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Timeless brick bungalow in Alger Heights with three finished levels of living space! This home blends enduring character with everyday comfort in a vibrant, walkable neighborhood. The main floor features hardwood floors, two bedrooms, a full bath, and a charming living space. Upstairs, enjoy a spacious and private primary bedroom retreat. The finished lower level offers versatile flex space—ideal
Welcome home to this charming 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom residence located in the wonderful Alger Heights area. This delightful home is just a few blocks from Alger Heights stores and restaurants. Inside, you'll find a spacious dining room and a cozy living room featuring a fireplace, hardwood floors, and elegant arched doorways. The breezeway offers a lovely space to enjoy summer evenings and
Own your future in Grand Rapids with this brand-new, modern home! Thoughtfully designed for comfort and efficiency, this move-in-ready home offers stylish finishes and quality craftsmanship. With five model homes to choose from, you can find the perfect fit for your lifestyle.Discover the benefits of owning a home through the Dwelling Place Community Land Trust (DPCLT), making homeownership more
Solid 3 bed, 1.5 bath Craftsman in SE Grand Rapids with hardwood floors, original wood trim, and a full-width covered front porch. The main floor features a spacious living room, formal dining room, a small flex room for an office or hobby space, and a kitchen with new counters, new sink, butcher block island, and a breakfast nook. A convenient half bath is also on the main level. Upstairs offers
Manuel AvilaCity2Shore Gateway Group of Byron Center
This charming home has been lovingly maintained. Ideal for owner-occupancy or investor looking to expand their portfolio. The home and yard are in excellent condition with off street parking. With 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom and a prime location in Alger Heights near shopping, restaurants, schools and the library, this property combines convenience with charm. The fully fenced backyard features a
IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITY, Market Rate and Tax-Credit Units (based on Income). January Special!!! Grand Wood Senior is an independent senior living community nestled in a beautiful wooded area, but close to shopping, medical centers city services. You will have many amenities to enjoy throughout the community including a beautiful lobby with a fireplace, a comfortable coffee bistro with a
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kyle Geenen,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,969
Median Age
36
Population Density
8 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.7%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$71,196
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$77,884
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.8%
College Graduates
43.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.2%
% Population in Labor Force
75.3%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
46''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
44/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
60/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
37/ 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.
