Section Image

Southeast Community Association

Southeast Community Association

Neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Kent County 49503, 49507

$222,523 Average Value
$147 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

Southeast Community Association is right in the center of Grand Rapids

Southeast Community Association, often called SECA, is half industrial and half residential. Although SECA is just south of downtown Grand Rapids, there’s been less investment on this side of the city. Home prices here are well below city averages, and the majority of properties are rented. However, local organizations work to provide resources for all residents, and development is on the horizon. “The growth of downtown Grand Rapids is spreading south,” says Sam Avila, a Realtor with City2Shore Gateway Group and a Grand Rapids native. “We are seeing more money invested, fewer dilapidated homes and more pride of ownership.”

Older properties leave room for renovations

Most homes were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but there are a few opportunities to own a more recent property. Vintage architecture includes bungalows, worker’s cottages and National styles. Some homes are ready to move in, but many need updates. Prices start around $150,000 for fixer-uppers and can get up to $350,000 for newly renovated homes. In general, homes to the north are more expensive, thanks to their proximity to downtown. Homeowners can get support from the local organization Home Repair Services, which provides education and assistance for owners looking to make renovations and repairs.

Community support from local organizations

Several community organizations within SECA focus on providing resources to lower-income families. Community Food Club is a food pantry with a unique approach, offering its patrons the agency of choice. “We try really hard to feel like a normal grocery,” says operations director Katie Sienkowski. “Our goal is to provide a dignified approach to food security because we believe that someone’s socioeconomic status shouldn’t dictate their customer service experience.” Other organizations include United Methodist Community House, which offers subsidized care and activities for young kids, teens and older adults. Right next door, Treetops Collective is a neighborly safe space with a focus on supporting refugee women.

Local magnet schools offer Spanish immersion and college prep

The neighborhood is home to Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy, a magnet school for grades six through 12. It focuses on preparing kids for their next steps with internship programs, early college courses and SAT prep. Niche gives this school a B-minus grade. Also within the neighborhood, the Gerald R. Ford Academic Center is a magnet school for kindergarten through eighth grade. The school receives a C rating and requires students to take Spanish classes every year. Zoning for non-magnet public schools can vary depending on home location, but most of SECA can attend César E. Chávez Elementary and Burton Middle. Both receive a C-minus grade from Niche. Older kids move on to Union High School, rated C-plus.

Summer splash pad, sports games and bilingual storytime

During the summer, Campau Park’s basketball court gets busy, and kids flock to the splash pad. The park also has picnic areas, public-use grills and a playground. Across the street, the local Ted Raspberry Field is the home field of Inner City Youth Baseball & Softball. This youth program is designed for kids who might face barriers to joining team sports. Signing up is free, all equipment is covered, and kids get meals after practices. Kids can also have fun indoors at the Madison branch of the Grand Rapids Public Library, especially during Michigan’s cold winters. “It’s one of our smaller branches, but it’s a central point of the neighborhood,” says Katie Zychowski, the library director of marketing and communications. “People will hang out there, and the bilingual storytimes are especially popular.”

Eat and play at local businesses

Grand Rapids Downtown Market is a huge attraction to the area, with 19 different food merchants, including an authentic taco stand, a gourmet bakery and an upscale wine bar. The space also holds year-round events like cooking classes or holiday markets. Right next door, House Rules is a combination of a brewpub and a board game store, complete with a well-stocked game library for temporary rentals. Over at Happy Cat Café, patrons can sip coffee and cuddle with adoptable kitties. Arvon Brewing Co. earned a place on Eater Detroit’s best beers of Grand Rapids, notably for its kettle sours and hazy IPAs. Division Avenue is lined with a few other restaurant options. But like most neighborhoods in Grand Rapids' downtown area, there is no easy access to a large grocery store. Residents can head 4 miles to the 28th Street corridor for big-box shopping options.

SECA residents can walk or take the bus to downtown

Downtown Grand Rapids is about 1 to 2 miles away from SECA. Some homes on the north side are walkable to city activity, but those further south might drive up Division Avenue or take The Rapid bus line. Trinity Health Hospital sits on the north side of SECA, making for a short commute for hospital workers. Residents can take U.S. Route 131 out of the city, though it often gets backed up during rush hour. Gerald R. Ford International Airport is out on the city's southeast side, about 10 miles away. Since the neighborhood is close to a railroad line and a major road, it can be on the noisier side.

Catherine Lashley
Written By
Catherine Lashley
Jonathan Fairfield
Photography Contributed By
Jonathan Fairfield

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

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 Filloreta Balaj-Elezi, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Gerald R Ford International

23 min drive

Bus

Division & Buckley (Nb)

Bus

Madison & Delaware (Sb)

Bus

Wealthy & Cass (Eb)

Bus

Hall Street Station (Nb)

Bus

Jefferson & Logan (Sb)

Bus

Division & Grant (Sb)

Bus

Mlk & Madison (Eb)

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Southeast Community Association US
Homicide 7 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 8 4
Robbery 7 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$226,000
Median Single Family Price
$225,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$315,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$147
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Last 12 months Home Sales
54
Months of Supply
0.40
Median List Price
$224,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
9%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
466
Median Year Built
2016
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,591
Below the national average
1,935
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,643
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662

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 Filloreta Balaj-Elezi, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
5,183
Median Age
30
Population Density
8 ppl/acre
Population under 18
33.2%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.1%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$26,046
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$52,660

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
81%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
17.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.5%
% Population in Labor Force
66.7%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
46''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

71 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

76 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

46 / 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

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Southeast Community Association neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
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
Southeast Community Association