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City Central

City Central

Neighborhood in Richmond, California

Contra Costa County 94801, 94804

$527,261 Average Value
$328 Average Price per Sq Ft
9 Homes For Sale

Richmond’s City Central sees art, activity and growth

City Central, in the heart of Richmond, is beginning to pull in the richness of the Bay Area. On flat land alongside railroad tracks with a view of the Berkeley Hills in the distance, the neighborhood is seeing signs of growth. A once vacant lot is now an active bike and skate park. An abandoned warehouse is now an art studio for an internationally known metal sculptor. Colorful murals adorn the walls of local shops. While home values are still well below Bay Area averages, neighbors enjoy local gardens, parks and small businesses. Plus, previously barren sidewalks are now full of flowers and foliage to create a more natural feel to the neighborhood. “City Central used to be super lively. I know people who grew up there and loved it. It’s going through a revitalization right now. People living there are redoing things, and it looks one hundred times better than it was 24 years ago when I started in real estate,” says Catherine Krueger, a Realtor with The Agency who has been selling homes in the Bay Area for 24 years.

Richmond's City Center is a small but bustling neighborhood.
Richmond's City Center is a small but bustling neighborhood.
Homes in City Center in Richmond California.
Homes in City Center in Richmond California.
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Urban gardens, art studios and Rosie the Riveter memorial

Signs of community spirit are everywhere. City Central is home to an edible forest hosted by Urban Tilth, a Richmond nonprofit that supports community gardens and sustainable food systems in areas where grocery stores with fresh produce and healthy options have been scarce. Down the street, a metal sculptor set up Archie Held Studio in old warehouses, with a team of artists drawing international attention. A mile and a half toward the bay, the Rosie the Riveter Memorial Park public art project honors women workers of World War II. Throughout the neighborhood and just outside are countless churches of almost every denomination, including Ekalesia Metotisi Samoa, Harmony Missionary Baptist Church, and Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Streets in City Central are decorated with beautiful murals..
Streets in City Central are decorated with beautiful murals..
Memorial Park in Richmond commemorates all of the Veterans in town that have fought in wars.
Memorial Park in Richmond commemorates all of the Veterans in town that have fought in wars.
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Dirt World headlines recreational opportunities

Sports enthusiasts have no shortage of nearby places to play. Dirt World is a free community BMX and skate park for all ages just off Ohio Avenue. It has jumps and tracks of varying skill levels. Unity Park, which the community just revitalized, has a playground, open lawn, community garden and half basketball court. Plus, it has lighted biking and hiking trails. Richmond Plunge is a historic swim center offering community events and swim classes six days a week in neighboring Point Richmond, a 2-mile drive from City Central. Marina Bay Park is less than 2 miles and offers an 11-acre bayside setting for walkers and picnickers.

Dirt World Bike Skills Park takes up a wide swath on the southern end of City Center.
Dirt World Bike Skills Park takes up a wide swath on the southern end of City Center.
City Center contains a wide swath of dirt park for BMX biking, walking and running.
City Center contains a wide swath of dirt park for BMX biking, walking and running.
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Modest homes are a draw in this Bay Area pocket

Sidewalks line the streets of City Central, with trees here and there providing shade. Single-family homes are set amongst apartments and industrial buildings on some blocks. Most of the homes are modest Spanish-inspired bungalows, but there are also duplexes and multiplexes that draw interest from investors. While the majority of properties were built in the 1980s and 1990s, some date back to the 1920s. Small fixer-uppers run from about $200,000 to $600,000. Homes in good condition range from $500,000 to $700,000. “It’s one of the last affordable areas to be in the Bay Area. That’s the nice thing about Richmond, and a lot of people don’t realize that,” says Krueger.

City Center has smaller 2 and 4 unit apartments, single family homes and duplexes.
City Center has smaller 2 and 4 unit apartments, single family homes and duplexes.
A bungalow style home in City Center.
A bungalow style home in City Center.
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Variety of eateries in and around the neighborhood

For dining, there is El Garage, a Mexican eatery and Richmond Eats, a Salvadoran restaurant. Rubicon Bakers, just outside of the City Central has a mission of giving employees who face barriers to employment a second chance. Lidia’s Restaurant, 3 miles away off Richmond Parkway, combines Mexican and Italian fare. On Ohio Avenue, Snapper’s Seafood Restaurant has a simple menu of red snapper and catfish specials. Groceries are found at La Tiendona Market and Produce, Joe’s Market and La Raza Market and Taqueria on MacDonald Avenue. La Raza also serves tacos and burritos alongside shelves and produce stalls. Target is a mile and a half to the east.

Sweet Indulgences at Cassandra Cakes where Cakes, Pies, and Gumbo are in Richmond's City Central
Sweet Indulgences at Cassandra Cakes where Cakes, Pies, and Gumbo are in Richmond's City Central
Savor the Mexican flavors at La Gran Chiquita restaurant in Richmond's City Central.
Savor the Mexican flavors at La Gran Chiquita restaurant in Richmond's City Central.
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High School focuses on needs of the whole family

Kids in the area may attend Coronado Elementary School and Lovonya DeJean Middle School, both are rated C-minus by Niche. The C-rated John F. Kennedy High School is part of the national “Full-Service Community Schools” program, which coordinates wrap-around services for families who need them. It has an on-campus health center available to all students needing physical or mental healthcare.

Lovonya Dejean Middle in Richmond is a small but new middle school in the center of the city.
Lovonya Dejean Middle in Richmond is a small but new middle school in the center of the city.
Kennedy High School is a huge campus serving students of Park Plaza and other neighborhoods.
Kennedy High School is a huge campus serving students of Park Plaza and other neighborhoods.
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Easy access for walkers, bikers and drivers

Nearby Interstates 80 and 580 provide easy access to surrounding areas, including San Francisco, which is 16 miles away, as well as Oakland and Marin County. BART, Amtrak and the AC Transit Local Bus lines all run through the neighborhood and have stops within walking distance of City Central off MacDonald Avenue. With its relatively wide and quiet streets, City Central is also explorable by bike. Plus, Kaiser Permanente Richmond Medical Center is about 1 mile west of the neighborhood.

On Two Wheels in Richmond’s  City Central Neighborhood.
On Two Wheels in Richmond’s City Central Neighborhood.
Memorial Park is located in Richmond
Memorial Park is located in Richmond
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Carol Parish
Written By
Carol Parish
William Rittenhouse
Photography Contributed By
William Rittenhouse
Becky Gaskill
Video By
Becky Gaskill

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 Frances Mouser, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Metro Oakland International

30 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime City Central US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$447,000
Median Single Family Price
$399,000
Median Townhouse Price
$840,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$237,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$328
Number of Homes for Sale
9
Last 12 months Home Sales
16
Months of Supply
6.80
Median List Price
$502,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-20%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
306
Median Year Built
1938
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,174
Significantly below the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,709
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
850
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,356

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 Frances Mouser, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
2,191
Median Age
34
Population Density
28 ppl/acre
Population under 18
28.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.2%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$49,897
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$88,472

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
76.9%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
16.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.6%
% Population in Labor Force
61.3%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
24''
Average Winter Low Temperature
44°F
Average Summer High Temperature
73°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

78 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

75 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

57 / 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
City Central