$243,360Average Value$212Average Price per Sq Ft26Homes For Sale
Defined by history, united by community
One of the city's largest and most diverse neighborhoods, West Grand began as a working-class neighborhood for Grand Rapids' booming furniture industry in the early 1900s. Today, empty factories have been turned into affordable housing, and old munipical buildings have become trendy restaurants. On Casimir Pulaski Day, the smell of perogies rises from Polish Halls, a tradition upheld over the years by a large immigrant community. West Grand has always been set apart by strong community ties and diverse cultural offerings. As development hits nearly every part of the neighborhood, prices are on the rise, but it still has some of the most affordable homes within 3 miles of downtown Grand Rapids.
A large community with a "small town" feel
West Grand might have over 17,000 residents, but according to Chi Benedict, the community engagement specialist with West Grand Neighborhood Organization (WGNO), "It still has a small-town feel. When I first moved here, I didn't know anyone, and now I have cookouts with my neighbors all the time." WGNO plays a large role in encouraging that connected community by organizing block parties, holiday events and a very well-attended cleanup day. "I probably wouldn't have moved here if it wasn't for WGNO," says Merideth Lawson, a newcomer to the neighborhood in 2023. "I wanted a place that had that network of community." In addition to WGNO events, West Grand residents find community at cultural halls and houses of worship. The Basilica of Saint Adalbert and the Saint Mary's Catholic Church are some of the neighborhood's most notable landmarks, with historic stained-glass windows and high-reaching spires. West Grand is also home to two Grand Rapids Public Library branches. "To the people that live on the west side, 'Westside is the Best Side' is more than a slogan — it's a celebration," says Katie Zychowski, the library director of marketing and communications. "We embrace that sense of pride with our library events, which can be music performances from emerging local artists or cultural story times for kids."
The West Grand neighborhood has some of the best building murals in all of Grand Rapids.
The West Grand neighborhood is home to several large, historic churches.
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Vintage shopping boulevards take on new life
Commercial corridors in West Grand still contain echoes of vintage small-town America. A bank from the ‘30s has become Blue Dog Tavern, known for its tater tots, and a Victorian-era firehouse is home to Mitten Brewing Company, regularly ranked among the city's best spots for a drink. What used to be a root beer stand now has a line out the door at lunchtime for Two Scotts house-smoked barbecue. Holiday Bar has served the neighborhood since 1905, staying in the same family for four generations. And on Bridge Street, the railroad still rushes by trendy cocktail bars and coffee shops. In 2018, Bridge Street Market filled the demand for a large grocery store, offering a huge selection of both name-brand and locally sourced groceries. The neighborhood also has smaller markets, pharmacies, healthcare offices and thrift stores. "It's no New York, but we're a very walkable neighborhood to anything you might need," says Benedict, a resident since 2007. "I rarely have to get in the car if I don't want to."
Blue Dog Tavern is a fun, friendly place for West Grand friends to eat and drink.
Bridge Street Market is found on the south edge of the West Grand neighborhood.
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Older bungalows and an influx of affordable housing
Lifestyles in West Grand can vary from the bustle of Leonard Street to the quieter community around Richmond Park. Throughout the neighborhood, it's common to see early 1900s bungalows and cottages, often with Craftsman or Victorian-style influences. Cookie-cutter ranch homes were developed during the post-World War II housing boom, and in recent years, there has been an influx of more modern apartments, townhomes and condominiums. The effect is a densely packed neighborhood with a diverse housing stock. "The homes that are renovated sell off the market super fast; ones that need some work take longer to sell," says Faune Benson, a Realtor with Five Star Real Estate who has sold several homes in the area. "I would say it's about 50-50 for what you'll see there." Prices for homes largely depend on the level of renovations, starting at $150,000 to $200,000, with newly renovated properties going from $200,000 to $400,000. Riverside condos cap off the price spectrum with units up to $650,000. Properties situated downhill, closer to Indian Mill Creek or the Grand River, are at a slight risk of flooding. "Around 10 years ago, we had a really bad flood in that area. The city has done a lot to mitigate the flooding risks, and there hasn't been anything like that since," Benson says. "But for homes closer to the river, it's a good idea to get them inspected for water damage and water in the basement."
The West Grand neighborhood has lots of different styles of homes with many under renovation.
There are a few Queen Anne-style homes, mostly converted to apartments, in West Grand.
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Richmond Park has sledding and a pool, Sullivan Field is bringing baseball back
When it comes to getting outside in West Grand, Richmond Park is usually the first place to come to mind. "Richmond Park is really pretty, and it's a great resource for the community," Benson says. "There are events there all the time with a pavilion you can rent out; there's a big sledding hill, mountain biking trails — and the pool's pretty cool too since it has slides." The park's pond is open for catch-and-release fishing and, if it gets cold enough, skating in the winter. Along the banks of the Grand River, Fish Ladder Park is also popular for fishing. There's also new life coming to the neighborhood ballpark, Sullivan Field, which had declined since its glory days hosting national and regional teams in the mid-1900s. A volunteer-run group raised more than $4 million for renovations, and as of 2024, the park is open not only for ball games but also for chili cook-offs, Easter egg hunts, and summertime concerts. Renovations are expected to be completed in 2025 and will include a museum that honors the history of the field and its role in Black baseball leagues.
Richmond Park has a large pond for locals to fish in Grand Rapids.
There is a paved walking path circling the pond at Richmond Park in Grand Rapids.
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A long list of resources on Grand Rapids' west side
The list of non-profit organizations serving the city's west side is so long that WGNO's booklet of community resources is 30 pages long. Among several options for housing support, New Development Corporation works within the neighborhood to buy dilapidated homes and rehabilitate them to sell to low-income buyers. Steepletown provides career assistance to young adults, and Senior Neighbors supports the area's oldest residents. WGNO offers protection for automobile theft and takes a holistic approach to reducing crime. "To us, public safety encompasses mental health, physical health and a sense of belonging to a neighborhood for all residents," says Annette Vandenberg, the executive director of WGNO. "When those things are in place — when all people have a place to sleep, a place to stay and to get a meal — that is when crime naturally goes down, and we have seen a reduction in recent years." WGNO also approaches crime prevention through environmental design, including well-lit alleys, beautification projects and murals. The current CAP Index Crime Score in West Grand is 5 out of 10, just above the national average of 4.
Bike or bus the 2 miles into downtown Grand Rapids
Being close to downtown Grand Rapids is a major draw for West Grand. "The neighborhood has some of the most affordable homes you can get that close to downtown," says Shuyan Shi, a Realtor with Success Realty West Michigan who has experience selling across Grand Rapids. "And there's an easy commute — I see people biking over in the summertime. Because of that, it's an area that attracts young professionals and families." With its major employers and regular festivals, downtown is 2 miles away, about a 10-minute drive or 15-minute bike ride over pedestrian-friendly bridges. The Grand Rapids public bus has plenty of stops throughout the neighborhood for those looking to go car-free. And for longer trips, the neighborhood has direct access to Interstate 196 and State Route 131, two of Grand Rapids' biggest thoroughfares. "You can jump on 196 and be out to Lake Michigan in just over 30 minutes," Vandenberg says. "But the highways do make us feel a bit cut off from the rest of the city."
After-school programs at local public schools
Neighborhood kids can attend Harrison Park Academy, right within the neighborhood, for kindergarten through eighth grade. Harrison Park has a castle-like exterior that dates back to 1925, though the interior was renovated in 2007. Students have a wide selection of after-school activities, some completely free, thanks to partnerships with local organizations like New City Kids. Harrison Park Academy, which gets a C-minus rating from the website Niche, feeds into Union High School, rated C. High school students also have unique after-school options, like the courses offered at West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology. Located just off Bridge Street, the center's creative programs range from ceramics to video production. For students in GRPS, the program is tuition-free and can even count toward class credit. The neighborhood also used to be home to Stocking Elementary before it closed in 2024, leaving the building empty. "The neighbors would love to see a community center move in there, and it's feasible, but nothing is confirmed yet," Vandenberg says.
Union High School in Grand Rapids has a total population of around 1,200 students.
Harrison Elementary School is a castle-like school in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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
Laura Kelso,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Canal Street Park
Trails
Playground
Parking Lot
Richmond Park
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Pool
Douglas Park
Basketball
Playground
Lincoln Park
Basketball
Grills
Picnic Area
Fish Ladder Park
Basketball
Fishing
Picnic Area
Valley Fields Neighborhood Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Transit
Airport
Gerald R Ford International
25 min drive
Bus
Leonard & Fremont (Wb)
Bus
Leonard & Tamarack (Wb)
Bus
Leonard & Fredrick (Wb)
Bus
Leonard & Powers (Wb)
Bus
Alpine & Leonard (Nb)
Bus
Alpine & Richmond (Nb)
Bus
Leonard & Garfield (Wb)
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
West Grand
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in West Grand, Grand Rapids sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in West Grand, Grand Rapids over the last 12 months is $276,049, up 5% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Laura Kelso,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
16,239
Median Age
33
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.5%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$51,457
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$63,426
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88.8%
College Graduates
29.9%
Advanced Degrees
7.9%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
74.5%
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
Bikeable
Bike Score®
55/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
87/ 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.
