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Downtown Pensacola

Downtown Pensacola

Suburban Neighborhood in Pensacola, Florida

Escambia County 32501, 32502

$465,156 Average Value
$360 Average Price per Sq Ft
41 Homes For Sale

Downtown Pensacola blends history and culture

Most homes in Downtown Pensacola were built between the mid-1800s and early 1900s, when the Pensacola & Atlantic railroad first opened, and the city's tourism industry began to explode. While tourism is still one of the city's main economic drivers, "most of the vacationers stay out by the beach," Jessica Duncan says. A local Realtor at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Main Street Properties, Duncan is a longtime resident of the area with over a decade's experience selling homes across the city. "Downtown has always been a more residential part of the area," she says, but it's also "a wonderful destination to try great food, enjoy a craft cocktail or just walk your dog down the historic streets."

Locals love dining alfresco on a sunny day in Downtown Pensacola.
Locals love dining alfresco on a sunny day in Downtown Pensacola.
Locals gather and walk their pooches in the Plaze De Ferdinand.
Locals gather and walk their pooches in the Plaze De Ferdinand.
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Fine dining and grocery shopping near Downtown Pensacola

Downtown Pensacola boasts a bustling restaurant and nightlife scene, mostly along Palafox and Jefferson streets. Gift shops sit next to local boutiques stocked with all kinds of beachwear. There are high-end jewelry stores across from independent art galleries and old-school candy shops. Next door, The Wine Bar has daily happy hour specials from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and "really great food," Duncan says. "Global Grill is another staple spot" that serves a multicultural mix of tapas, ranging from spicy tuna sashimi to bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts. "Polonza Bistro has a fantastic brunch menu and great coffee," she says. "Most places have some kind of outdoor seating, so a lot of people like to bring their dogs with them." When describing Downtown's nightlife, Duncan says, "We definitely don't have a club scene like Miami, but we do have plenty of bars and breweries where you can sit down and listen to live music with a craft cocktail or beer." Most folks head to Publix at East Hill for day-to-day groceries and buy fresh produce at the weekly farmers market. Occurring every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Palafox Market "has it all," Duncan says, "from fresh-baked bread and homegrown veggies to hand-made jewelry and wooden rocking chairs." Joe Patti's Seafood is a renowned fish market at the end of A Street along Pensacola Bay. "Everybody goes there, so it's always packed, but the wait is never too long," she says. "And it's worth it because they have every kind of seafood you can imagine."

The downtown area is very walkable in Pensacola, FL.
The downtown area is very walkable in Pensacola, FL.
Ever'man's provides natural and organic foods in walkable Downtown Pensacola.
Ever'man's provides natural and organic foods in walkable Downtown Pensacola.
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Historic homes and high-rise condos

Historic Creole Cottages and shotgun-style homes line the residential blocks around Palafox Street. Most of these houses are from the early 1900s, but some Spanish Colonials and Victorian two-stories date back to the nineteenth century. One-bedroom fixer-uppers typically start around $150,000, while a well-maintained six-bedroom historic home can range up to about $1 million. New construction homes began popping up throughout the neighborhood in the early 2000s. Their Craftsman Cottage-style architecture and double-decker balconies blend seamlessly with the surrounding historic beach houses. These newer listings start at $600,000 and range to $2.9 million. One-bedroom condos in the heart of Downtown Pensacola can go for as low as $75,000, but most fall within the $350,000 to $600,000 range. "On Palafox," Duncan says, "there are condos above the shops and restaurants" and "townhomes overlooking Pensacola Bay." These listings range from about $900,000 to $1.75 million.

Adorable beachy homes dot the streets in Pensacola.
Adorable beachy homes dot the streets in Pensacola.
A row of 2 story shotgun homes stand tall on this street in Pensacola.
A row of 2 story shotgun homes stand tall on this street in Pensacola.
Rows of picturesque houses line the streets of Pensacola.
Rows of picturesque houses line the streets of Pensacola.
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Community Maritime Park hosts entertainment and events

White sand beaches and turquoise waves may be Pensacola's main tourist attraction, but its Downtown neighborhood has a wealth of recreation and entertainment across the Bay. American Magic, an international yacht racing club and America's Cup team moved its headquarters from Key West to the far end of South Palafox Street in 2024. Now, the 75-foot sailboats and 175-foot Mega yachts anchor at Palafox Pier Yacht Harbor Marina. It's directly across from Blue Wahoos Stadium, where Duncan says, "You can see the baseball team practicing throughout the week." Community Maritime Park has a small public marina and a massive turf playscape behind the ballpark. Off the coast, Historic Pensacola Village comprises about 8.5 acres between East Main and Government Streets. It showcases a collection of historic buildings and museums dating back to the colonial era and includes the city's main festival grounds, Seville Square. Along with history museums, Downtown is home to the Pensacola Library, the Pensacola Museum of Art, the Children's Museum and the community little theatre, which puts on dozens of volunteer-led productions each year.

Lots to do at Corinne Park.
Lots to do at Corinne Park.
Its a lovely walk around the memorial park.
Its a lovely walk around the memorial park.
Its a lovely walk around the memorial park.
Its a lovely walk around the memorial park.
Residents can stretch their legs and enjoy the view at Maritime Park in Downtown Pensacola.
Residents can stretch their legs and enjoy the view at Maritime Park in Downtown Pensacola.
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Seville Square hosts the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival

Seville Square hosts other local events, such as the annual three-day Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, inviting over 200 artists every fall. The festival’s Heritage Arts Area features demonstrations of weaving, spinning, blacksmithing and other traditional art forms. Bartram Park, connected to Seville Square, hosts the Children’s Arts Festival on the same weekend. Kids can get their faces painted and create their own masterpieces at the free event. Downtown is also home to several museums, including the Pensacola Museum of Art and the Pensacola Museum of History.

A beautiful square, Seville.
A beautiful square, Seville.
Roam the Blue Morning Art Gallery in Downtown Pensacola.
Roam the Blue Morning Art Gallery in Downtown Pensacola.
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Escambia County public schools and several private options

Downtown Pensacola is part of the Escambia County School District. O.J. Semmes Elementary and J.H. Workman Middle both score a C-minus on Niche. Pensacola High earns a B-plus. It offers the only International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in the district and, according to Newsweek, is one of the top 100 high schools in the country.

Lighthouse Academy welcomes local students.
Lighthouse Academy welcomes local students.
The School of Liberal Arts welcomes students.
The School of Liberal Arts welcomes students.
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Minutes away from Pensacola Beach

Business Route 98 meets Interstate 110, a few blocks east of North Palafox Street. A few blocks further east is the Pensacola Bay Bridge, which leads locals and tourists alike first to Gulf Breeze and then, via the toll bridge, to Pensacola Beach. "Most of our tourism stays out by the beach, so you have a lot of locals here and less traffic going about your day-to-day life." Nearly all the downtown restaurants and shops are within walking or biking distance, but Duncan says cars are still the most common form of transportation. A few public bus lines connect Downtown to the area's largest employers. Route 64 offers a 25-minute bus ride straight to Naval Air Station Pensacola, which "is a military base and flight training school that's home to the U.S. Navy Blue Angels," she says.

A stunning aerial view of Downtown Pensacola with I-110 in the distance.
A stunning aerial view of Downtown Pensacola with I-110 in the distance.
Pelican statues memorialize many different things all over the city of Pensacola.
Pelican statues memorialize many different things all over the city of Pensacola.
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Environmental issues and crime

Though Downtown Pensacola is currently experiencing a resurgence, with dozens of new businesses and residential housing units opening since the mid-2010s, the city's lack of environmental protections has caused great suffering for the community and the city at large. Main Street Wastewater Treatment Plant was built in the 1930s next door to where Community Maritime Park and Bruce Beach exist today. The sewer plant was eventually shut down in 2011 after decades of polluting the soil, the Bay and the city's water supply. As of the mid-2010s, local officials and the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection have dedicated hundreds of millions of dollars to restore the environment. Still, with frequent hurricanes and tropical storms helping to distribute the contamination, Pensacola ranks as the 12th most toxic city in the United States. Downtown Pensacola has a CAP Index crime score of 7 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4, driven by higher-than-average scores for property crimes.

Ryan Horton
Written By
Ryan Horton
Gabrielle Mazur
Photography Contributed By
Gabrielle Mazur
Drew Webster
Video By
Drew Webster

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 Angela Sherrill, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Pensacola International

12 min drive

Bus

Spring St & La Rua St

Bus

Downtown Transfer Station

Bus

Palafox Street & Jackson Street

Bus

Baylen Street & Cervantes Street

Bus

Zarragossa St & Palafox St

Bus

Cervantes St & 8th Ave

Bus

9th Ave & Gregory St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Pensacola US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 9 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 7 4
Larceny 9 4
Crime Score 7 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$450,000
Median Single Family Price
$470,000
Median Townhouse Price
$1,787,500
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$660,900
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$139,900
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$360
Number of Homes for Sale
41
Last 12 months Home Sales
75
Months of Supply
6.60
Median List Price
$499,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
7%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
5%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,302
Median Year Built
1984
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,929
On par with the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,385
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,475
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
729
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
312
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,356

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1 - 3pm

    534 E Zaragoza St Unit 8, Pensacola, FL 32502

    $560,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,497 Sq Ft
    • 534 E Zaragoza St
    • Unit 8

    Experience the best of historic downtown Pensacola living in this stunning top-floor corner unit filled with natural light and gorgeous views. This condo features two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a charming winding staircase leading to an upstairs loft—ideal for a guest bedroom or home office. Designed for convenience, this unit is located right next to the dumbwaiter, making transporting items

    Katy Collins Levin Rinke Realty

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1 - 3pm

    534 E Zaragoza St Unit 7, Pensacola, FL 32502

    $545,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,524 Sq Ft
    • 534 E Zaragoza St
    • Unit 7

    Enjoy the ultimate waterfront lifestyle in this stunning Pensacola Bay condo, offering unmatched views of Pensacola Bay and a front-row seat to watch the American Magic sailing team in action. Perfectly located just steps from Seville Square and downtown Pensacola, this home allows you to walk to work, dine at top restaurants, and enjoy the best of city life—all while living on the water. This

    Katy Collins Levin Rinke Realty

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  • Tuesday, Apr 29
    4:30 - 7pm

    157 S Spring St, Pensacola, FL 32502

    $755,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 1,832 Sq Ft
    • 157 S Spring St

    FULLY FURNISHED AND CURRENTLY ON AIRBNB! Features Impeccable fixtures to include Quartz Countertops and all furnishings. From Bedroom suites to Washer & Dryer! Enjoy Downtown Living from your own Private Rooftop! This Three Story Unit comes with a Private Garage and an Elevator! Two Master Suites, One additional Guest bedroom. Currently this unit is on AirBnb. Enjoy the convenience of the variety

    Patricia Ramirez Engel & Volkers Pensacola

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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 Angela Sherrill, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has Equal Renters and Owners

Demographics

Total Population
3,704
Median Age
44
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
15.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$48,382
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$80,566

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
87%
College Graduates
41.4%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
18.4%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62.5%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
68''
Average Winter Low Temperature
44°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

70 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

77 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

36 / 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
Downtown Pensacola
Angela Sherrill
Connell & Company Realty Inc.
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