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West Side

West Side

Neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey

Essex County 07103, 07108

$416,435 Average Value
$272 Average Price per Sq Ft
16 Homes For Sale

Living within walking distance of schools, shops and a park

Some people don't want to rely on their cars to get around all the time, and that’s where Newark’s West Side neighborhood excels. Residents can walk to corner stores, schools and West Side Park. Many people work in New York, and can commute by car, bus or train. Charmaine La Fortune is the founder and director of the Giving One Tenth Community Garden at the corner of 19th Avenue and South 20th Street. La Fortune has been a West Side resident for over 20 years. While the easy commuting is one of her favorite aspects of the neighborhood, she also highlights the community as one of the reasons she’d stayed for so long. “We are a very close-knit community,” La Fortune says. “I’ve talked with volunteers who said they lived in New York for years and never knew their neighbors’ names. Here, everyone knows everyone’s name. About 85% of the produce we grow is donated back to the community. We have a dry pantry box right outside, and anyone can take from it. Some neighbors with extra dry goods will put items in the box. The community doesn’t have to give anything. People just do it.”

Hanging out at the park, library or movie theater

West Side Park has been in the heart of the neighborhood since it was built in the 1890s. This greenspace features a large community center, paved athletic courts, athletic fields and a walking trail. The United Community Corporation organizes events at the community center throughout the year, including movie screenings and the annual BeKind event, where residents can donate clothes or pick up anything they need. Members can use the community center’s gym or sign their kids up for tutoring services. CityPlex 12 Newark, co-owned by former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, offers stadium seating and is designed to be a movie destination for all of Newark. The Newark Public Library - Springfield Branch is about a mile from West Side. The library doesn’t have a parking lot, but residents can take a quick ride on an NJ Transit bus to reach the campus.

West Side Park in Newark is where memories are made.
West Side Park in Newark is where memories are made.
NJ Transit buses in West Side provide residents with easy access to downtown Newark and New York City.
NJ Transit buses in West Side provide residents with easy access to downtown Newark and New York City.
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Renting units in multifamily homes

Well over half of West Side residents are renters, and they live in upper or lower levels of multifamily homes. Multifamily homes with Queen Anne or contemporary designs can range between $500,000 and $850,000, while single-family homes with simple colonial-inspired designs can sell for $330,000 to $500,000. Homes that sell for less than $300,000 likely need renovations. Many residents park on the street outside their homes, but some properties have garages or short driveways enclosed in chain-link or iron fencing.

Multifamily homes in West Side offer spacious living and are common throughout the neighborhood.
Multifamily homes in West Side offer spacious living and are common throughout the neighborhood.
West Side home features a brick and siding exterior, a gated driveway, and a welcoming front porch.
West Side home features a brick and siding exterior, a gated driveway, and a welcoming front porch.
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Learning in the Newark School District

There are five primary schools in West Side, and they serve kindergarten through eighth-grade students. Harriet Tubman School and South 17th Street School are two examples, and both earn C-minus ratings from Niche. Students often transition to the C-rated West Side High School, but they can also apply to Bard Early College High School, which receives an A-minus. West Side High has an urban farm and greenhouse on the campus’ front lawn, and comedian and actress Ellen DeGeneres donated most of the funds needed to build these structures after Principal Akbar Cook went on the Ellen Show in 2022 to discuss how important it is to teach students about agriculture.

Harriet Tubman School in West Side serves students from PK to 8th grade with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1.
Harriet Tubman School in West Side serves students from PK to 8th grade with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1.
Bard High School Early College, empowering Newark students since 2011.
Bard High School Early College, empowering Newark students since 2011.
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Taking the interstate, train or bus to New York

West Side residents have quick access to some of Newark’s most popular destinations, including Rutgers University - Newark Campus and the Prudential Center, where the New Jersey Devils hockey team plays. Commuters heading to New York City can drive 3 miles or take an NJ Transit bus to Newark Penn Station. A train ride to Penn Station in New York lasts about 20 minutes. The Interstate 78 Expressway leads drivers toward Manhattan, 15 miles east of West Side. Newark Liberty International Airport is less than 5 miles away, but despite being so close, residents don’t have to deal with plane noise. There is a place of worship on almost every street in West Side, from St. Ann’s Catholic Church to Masjid Al-Haqq. West Side is close to the University Hospital, a teaching hospital where Rutger students train.

Walking to the store or grabbing take out

Streets can become narrow when there are cars parked, but sidewalks and crosswalks make it easy for residents to stroll to a corner store or restaurant. Residents can walk into a corner store and order a sandwich or pick up snacks. The Save a Lot off Springfield Avenue is a popular spot to stock up on groceries. Springfield Avenue is lined with restaurants, most of which offer only take-out services. Oh My Goodness Restaurant and Catering has a menu stuffed with rice bowls, fried seafood meals and loaded fries. 9ja Buka Restaurant specializes in African dishes, from spicy peppered snails to vegetable soup served with chicken, turkey or goat meat.

A local resident enjoys a stroll through West Side, walking their dog along the neighborhood’s quiet streets.
A local resident enjoys a stroll through West Side, walking their dog along the neighborhood’s quiet streets.
The
The "Sumn To Eat" food truck stands on Springfield Avenue in West Side, serving fresh and flavorful meals.
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Crime rates and National Night Out at West Side Park

CAP Index gives West Side a 6 out of 10 crime score, which is higher than the national average of 4, and the neighborhood’s violent crime rates are also above the national average. Newark police officers and firefighters get to know the community during National Night Out events at West Side Park in August. The event includes bouncy houses, live music and displays of emergency vehicles.

Rylee Doyle
Written By
Rylee Doyle
Pushparaj Aitwal
Photography Contributed By
Pushparaj Aitwal

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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 Dinara Sammartino, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Newark Liberty International

11 min drive

Bus

16th Ave & South 13th St

Bus

S 19th St & 17th Ave

Bus

S 18th St & 18th Ave

Bus

S 19th St & 16th Ave

Bus

18th Ave & Kent St

Bus

14th Ave & S 15th St

Bus

Avon Ave & South 16th St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime West Side US
Homicide 8 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 7 4
Robbery 8 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$410,000
Median Single Family Price
$424,000
Median Townhouse Price
$264,900
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$272
Number of Homes for Sale
16
Last 12 months Home Sales
44
Months of Supply
4.40
Median List Price
$399,949
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
25%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
250
Median Year Built
1952
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,730
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
988
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
2,613

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1 - 3pm

    513 S 16th St Unit 2, Newark, NJ 07103

    $699,000

    • 6 Beds
    • 4 Baths
    • 513 S 16th St
    • Unit 2
    • New 2 days ago

    Fully renovated in 2024, this two-family home is the perfect blend of luxury living and income potential! Each unit features 3 bedrooms, including a primary suite with its own full bath, plus a second full bathroom. Unit 1 includes private access to a finished basement?ideal for entertaining. Unit 2 boasts a spacious finished attic with three large closets, perfect as a bonus room or rec space.

    TIFFENY NICOLE FORREST LIFESTYLE INTERNATIONAL REALTY

    Section Image
  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1 - 3pm

    513 S 16th St, Newark, NJ 07103

    $699,000

    • 6 Beds
    • 4 Baths
    • 513 S 16th St
    • New 2 days ago

    Fully renovated in 2024, this two-family home is the perfect blend of luxury living and income potential! Each unit features 3 bedrooms, including a primary suite with its own full bath, plus a second full bathroom. Unit 1 includes private access to a finished basement—ideal for entertaining. Unit 2 boasts a spacious finished attic with three large closets, perfect as a bonus room or rec space.

    Tiffeny Forrest Lifestyle International Realty

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    2 - 4pm

    786 S 17th St, Newark, NJ 07103

    $550,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 4 Baths
    • 786 S 17th St
    • New 6 days ago

    This beautifully renovated multi-family home in Newark, NJ, is a perfect opportunity for both owner-occupants and investors. With two units, each featuring 2 bedrooms and 1.5 baths, this property offers spacious living in the heart of Newark NJ. The second-floor unit has a bonus den, can be easily finished for a third bedroom or a home office. With a full unfinished basement with private entrance

    Catherine Duffoo REALTY ONE GROUP LIFESTYLE HOMES

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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 Dinara Sammartino, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
15,586
Median Age
32
Population under 18
32.8%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.5%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$42,050
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$52,221

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
83%
College Graduates
17.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.4%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
61.3%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
46''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
2''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

57 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

68 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

60 / 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.

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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
West Side