$228,587Average Value$121Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
Old home lovers fall for ready-to-renovate historic homes in downtown Lincoln
While the State Capitol's 400-foot-tall tower is visible throughout New South, there are similarly obvious signs closer to the ground that the historic neighborhood is just blocks away from Nebraska's center of government. "You can see it easily driving around the neighborhood – so it makes sense that we have a lot of lawyers, politicians and government employees who live here,” says Realtor Matt Kirkland, the owner of Giving Realty and a real estate agent in Lincoln for more than 20 years. But beyond the allure for those involved in running the state, a broader mix of young professionals and families also call New South home, where the median age of homes is more than 100 years.
While Near South is an urban neighborhood, it feels suburban with mature oak trees, well-landscaped parks and historic homes on large lots. Locally owned restaurants, boutiques and grocery stores are close enough to walk to and lend to the friendly and historically rich vibe that is hard to miss.
Historic homes from the late 1800s attract excited buyers and investors
“Some homes in Near South have been renovated and some need some love, shall we say, but old house fans are some of the happiest people I know when they find the home of their dreams,'' Kirkland said.
There are nearly 1,800 homes in the neighborhood. Ready-to-renovate two-story traditional-style homes from the 1890s have recently sold for $100,000 to $225,000. Five-bedroom, two-story Colonial-style homes subdivided into rental apartments have recently sold for $160,000 to $250,000. Rare multi-bedroom mansions have recently sold from around $450,000 to $550,000.
Award-winning parks and the Lincoln Children’s Zoo are cherished destinations
And the homes are not the only historic elements of New South. Adjacent to Capitol Parkway, Sunken Gardens was conceived in 1930 by the city of Lincoln to provide a place of joy and beauty for its residents, who were still reeling from the Great Depression. Restored in the 1960s after a pair of floods, the gardens now display perennials, often according to themes, such as 2021's Ruby Slippers, which featured thousands of plants that bloom in red. Popular with visitors and a site for events such as weddings, "the setting is just magical,'' Kirkland said.
While the Lincoln Children’s Zoo might be just outside the east edge of Near South, just across South 27th Street from Sunken Gardens, the community considers the family destination its own, within walking or cycling distance from much of New South. More than 400 animals are on display, including a tiger, giraffes, penguins and more. Summer camps are a popular activity.
Hazel Abell Park, at 18th Street and E Street, has a quiet magic of its own. Surrounded by eye-catching homes from the late 1800s, residents enjoy elaborate sculptures, cast iron street lamps and stunning flower gardens. Dogs on leashes are welcome and children will enjoy the small playground and tossing coins into the flowing water fountain.
Restaurants and shops in Near South abound with stories and history
Near South has plenty of dining and shopping destinations. Muchacho’s is small in stature but stands out with its bright blue brick building and its brisket tacos. Its tagline is “Coffee. Tacos. Beer.” which encapsulates its morning-to-night operating hours. Muchacho's also runs a bright blue food truck which is easy to find in downtown Lincoln. DaVinci’s, a long-standing pizza restaurant at 11th and G Streets welcomes regular groups from students to retirees for their pizza and sandwich specialties and ever-present salad bar.
Billy’s Restaurant is almost 40 years old, is in a building from 1887, and is steps from the governor’s mansion and the State Capitol. It's not uncommon to see the governor or other state officials there, Kirkland says. Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso welcomes regulars with big windows, local art and comfortable seating. Russ’s Neighborhood Market is just that. They deliver locally and tend to know many of their customers by name. “If you live in Near South, and you like to cook, Russ’s Market is the place to go,” says Realtor Kirkland.
State festivals and the Nebraska State Capital offer endless events
The Sandhills Global Event Center, formerly the Lancaster Event Center, is the largest outdoor, fairground-style event center in Lincoln and home to the Lancaster County Super Fair, the largest fair in the state. The center hosts musical talent from across the globe, including Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, REO Speedwagon and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. It also hosts farmers' markets, first Friday events, marathons and bike races.
The Nebraska State Capital is not only a point of fascination for historians and fans of architecture, but it is also a great place to learn more about the 37th state. Attending sessions of the Supreme Court and taking tours of the eight-sided Memorial Chamber and the 14th-floor observation deck are essential for all Lincolnites.
Lincoln Public Schools is the No. 1 best school district in Lancaster County
Lincoln Public Schools is the No. 1 best school district in Lancaster County, according to Niche, which gives it an A-minus. It ranks in the top ten Lincoln school districts for diversity, athletics and academics. According to Kirkland, “Lincoln Public Schools are well-regarded and have been around for generations. Parents are proud of the public schools in the city and many are alumni, so there’s a strong loyalty factor here.”
Students in Near South can attend Prescott Elementary which has a B-grade from Niche and is located on South 20th Street. Irving Middle has an A-minus grade from Niche and an enviable student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1. Lincoln High School is located on J Street just one mile from the Nebraska State Capital, and has a B-plus grade from Niche. With its 150-year history, it recently launched a History and Archives website to digitize and provide content about the highly-rated school. Lincoln High also features its own Athletic Hall of Fame, created in 1983.
Near South is less than a mile from the Nebraska State Capital
It’s hard to deny the convenience of Near South’s location less than a mile from the Nebraska State Capitol and just seven miles to Lincoln Airport. Cornhusker Highway/U.S. Route 6 goes from the Colorado border to the Iowa border east of Omaha. It is one of the main highways in and around Lincoln and provides easy access to Memorial Stadium and its abundant parking lots for Husker home games. While residents walk, bike, and use scooters to get around, car travel is still the most popular mode of transportation. StarTran is the city’s bus system, with 18 routes. Running on compressed natural gas (CNG), StarTran has gained attention for reducing maintenance and fuel costs for the city of Lincoln.
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
Anita Rockenbach,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Near South Park
Hazel Abel Park
Breta Park
Pocras Park
Transit
Airport
Lincoln
13 min drive
Bus
South 16th Street & Roselyn Terrace, W
Bus
South 16th Street & E Street, NW
Bus
South 16th Street & Garfield Street, NW
Bus
South Street & South 25th Street, NW
Bus
South Street & South 20th Street, NE
Bus
A Street & South 18th Street, SW
Bus
South 17th Street & Euclid Avenue, NE
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Near South
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
8
4
Assault with Weapon
7
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
On average, homes in Near South, Lincoln sell after 23 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Near South, Lincoln over the last 12 months is $216,263, up 7% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
OPEN HOUSE Saturday, April 26th from 12-2pm. This tri-plex conversion is located close to downtown and provides two 2bd/1ba units and one 1bd/1ba. The units are fully rented and makes for a turn-key situation for a new owner. There are separate gas and electric meters for each unit, a low-maintenance exterior along with 3 gas furnaces so each unit has their own. The basement contains 2 sets of
OPEN HOUSE Saturday, April 26th from 12-2pm. This tri-plex conversion is located close to downtown and provides two 2bd/1ba units and one 1bd/1ba. The units are fully rented and makes for a turn-key situation for a new owner. There are separate gas and electric meters for each unit, a low-maintenance exterior along with 3 gas furnaces so each unit has their own. The basement contains 2 sets of
Welcome to 1445 E St, located within walking distance to our great capital building here in Lincoln; this home is rich with history. Built at the turn of the century for one of the original Woods' Brothers, this home has so much potential to be brought back to the status it once had. With gorgeous hand crafted fireplaces, wood work leading to the upstairs, original tile in the entry way and
Two bedroom, one bath home with oak floors under carpet. Nice tile shower in 3/4 bath. Basement has store room/area and large utility/furnace room. First floor laundry with stackable washer/dryer included. Large covered front porch and very large fenced back yard with single stall garage/storage shed. This home will require considerable paint, remodeling on both interior and exterior. Newer roof
This fully remodeled 2+1 bedroom, 2 full bathroom home offers 1,600 square feet of stunning finishes. Featuring a brand-new roof, soffit, fascia, appliances, flooring, Sewer Stack, and much more, everything inside and out is completely updated. The new fenced-in yard is perfect for pets and provides a private outdoor space. Located just next to the zoo, schools, shops, and only minutes from
Introducing 1522 D Street, our newly renovated 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment located in the heart of Lincoln, NE. This modern space features beautiful updates throughout, including luxury vinyl flooring and sleek appliances in the kitchen. The bathroom boasts a tiled shower for a touch of elegance. With a prime location and stylish finishes, this apartment is the perfect place to call home.
Property Id: 18021802 bedroom house for RENT/RENT-TO-OWN in Central Lincoln, Nebraska 1548 S 25th St Monthly Payment: $1,740*approximate, based on program selectionYOUR INCOME QUALIFIES YOU! No Banks RequiredNo Credit or Credit Challenges Approved!Rent to own & Owner Financing Available! If you are seeking to purchase a home for you and your
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Anita Rockenbach,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
11,005
Median Age
34
Population Density
18 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.7%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$40,051
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$51,825
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
89.4%
College Graduates
29.7%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.7%
% Population in Labor Force
73.9%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
29''
Average Winter Low Temperature
15°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
18''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
77/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
70/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
31/ 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.
