Alabama's most walkable city with top-rated schools and recent economic growth
Homewood has ranked as Alabama's most walkable city for over a decade. But walkability isn't the only feature that draws buyers to this sidewalk-lined suburb of Birmingham. Homewood boasts Alabama's highest-rated school district, historic homes and a charming downtown anchored by Homewood Central Park. Recently, it’s also become a major economic hub, with a new Morgan Stanley headquarters building breaking ground in 2024. “Homewood is close to downtown Birmingham, but it’s on the other side of Red Mountain, so it’s quieter here,” says Allison Cheka, a lifelong Birmingham resident and local Realtor with RealtySouth.
Plenty of local shops in Downtown Homewood.
Homewood in Alabama offers a historic touch with a community-focused feeling.
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Morgan Stanley's Alabama headquarters coming in 2025
The University of Alabama at Birmingham and its top-ranking hospital are the area's main economic drivers, with over 28,000 employees. Homewood is about 2 miles from campus and only 3 miles from UAB Hospital. Another major employer, Morgan Stanley, is building its Alabama headquarters in Homewood. The multinational financial services firm is set to open its new 30,000-square-foot building along Shades Creek Parkway in 2025.
Morgan Stanley is building its Alabama headquarters in Homewood.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham and its top-ranking hospital are the area's main economic drivers, with over 28,000 employees.
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Expensive historic homes in walkable neighborhoods
From 2022 to 2024, multiple local news outlets reported Homewood was one of the top 10 most expensive cities to buy a home in in Alabama. The most recent study, conducted in September 2024, has the median sold price at about $556,000, making it nearly 60% more costly than its northwestern neighbor, Birmingham. Cheka says Homewood’s walkability plays a major role in determining these higher home prices. “There are sidewalks along most of the roads and you have a lot of walkable shopping communities, so people really like that.” Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, she says, Homewood has remained a “seller’s market.” As of 2024, most homes are sold within 30 days of listing.
Many houses in Homewood are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The oldest properties were built between the 1920s and ‘40s. They usually feature Tudor, Bungalow or Craftsman architecture, but some reflect more of the Spanish Colonial style. Cheka says most of these houses “are on the smaller side and don’t have garages.” Newer homes from the 1990s sit in quiet subdivisions on the west side of Homewood, and in 2023, some new construction condos were added downtown.
Many homes in Homewood have cozy front porches with spacious back yards.
This large single-family home in Homewood displays intricate stone siding.
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Homewood Schools earn top-ratings from Niche
Homewood City School District scores an overall A-plus on Niche and ranks as the No. 1 school district in Alabama. Its three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school serve approximately 4,200 students. In 2024, U.S. News and World Report recognized Homewood High as one of the top three traditional public schools in the state. It offers 26 AP courses and an even longer list of career classes in topics ranging from welding to fashion. The high school also boasts a nationally recognized marching band and several state championship sports teams. Along with highly rated public schools, Homewood is home to a prestigious Christian college called Samford University.
Homewood Middle School is a high-rated public school in Homewood, AL.
Homewood High School is a great place for teenagers to learn in Homewood.
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SoHo Square has restraunats, shops and the Homewood Theatre
Downtown Homewood is the city's main shopping and dining district, and SoHo Square sits in the heart of it all. The four-story multi-use development has modern condos above local restaurants and a central plaza with outdoor seating. SoHo Social is one of the more popular spots, offering happy hour specials every Monday through Friday. It sits across from Homewood Theatre. Established in 2016, the non-profit theatre group didn't move to its current location on the Square until 2022. Now, in 2024, it produces six community-driven shows each season, along with many other events. More restaurants and privately owned boutiques are just a block over on 18th Street South. "It's like Homewood's version of Main Street," Cheka says. Since most places are locally owned, the business owners "feel more like family," she says. "Most places you'll walk in, and they'll know you by name."
The intersection of Broadway Street and Oxmoor Road is another shopping and dining hub right in the middle of Homewood. The small corridor "has more regional chains and grab-and-go spots," Cheka says. "You can't really browse and walk around there like you can downtown." National restaurant chains and big box stores cluster in strip malls and suburban shopping centers along Green Springs Highway.
SoHo in Homewood, Alabama offers many retail and dining options for locals.
Chicken Salad Restaurant is located below a set of apartments in Homewood, AL.
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Homewood Central Park hosts the city's annual events
Homewood Central Park sits just outside the downtown district, on the corner of Central Avenue and Oxmoor Road. Originally opening in 1948, the park underwent a major renovation in 2024, adding a brand-new turf playscape and ninja agility course. Along with new equipment, it features two tennis courts, an outdoor amphitheater and a large green space where the city hosts annual events. A pedestrian bridge connects the park to Homewood Central Pool and the community center. A new pool and splash pad opened at Patriot Park in 2020. It sits directly across from Shades Valley Community Church, which hosts an award-winning Farmers Market each summer. Local youth softball, baseball and soccer leagues practice at the West Homewood Athletic Center, about a mile away.
Be sure to bring the dog to We Love Homewood Day.
Try the cotton candy at We Love Homewood Day.
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Easy access to Interstates 65 and 20
While Homewood itself may be walkable, a car is still necessary to navigate the Birmingham Metro Area. Along with Highway 31, Interstate 65 runs north-south through the city. Both routes link to Downtown Birmingham and Interstate 20 in about 5 miles. From I-20, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is only 5 miles east.
Crime
The Homewood Police Department Records Office says, in a 2023 annual crime report, the city had a violent crime rate of 16.3 reported incidents per 100,000 people. Meanwhile, that same year, Birmingham had a significantly higher violent crime rate, with 1,682 reported incidents per 100,000 people. Homewood's property crime rate was 54.9 reported incidents per 100,000 people, lower than Birmingham, which reported 9,570 incidents per 100,000 people.
I'm an real estate agent with The Fred Smith Group at RealtySouth-MB-Crestline in Birmingham, AL and the nearby areas. I provide home-buyers and sellers with professional, responsive and attentive real estate services that will allow you to find or sell your dream home at the best possible price. Want an agent who'll really listen to what you want in a home? Need an agent who knows how to effectively market your home so it sells? Give me a call! I'm eager to help and would love to talk to you.
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.
