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Central Oak Park

Central Oak Park

Neighborhood in Sacramento, California

Sacramento County 95817, 95820

Neighborhood Reviews
2.6
$388,533 Average Value
$381 Average Price per Sq Ft
14 Homes For Sale

Growing demand for this community-oriented suburb

Central Oak Park, about 4 miles from downtown Sacramento and part of the greater Oak Park suburb, has changed a lot since the late 1880s, when it was a working-class neighborhood. Oak Park was one of the only Sacramento suburbs in the mid-20th century not to enforce restrictive racial covenants on land ownership. The community weathered some economic struggles in the 1980s and ‘90s when the streetcar system was decommissioned, and many businesses left the area. In recent years, Central Oak Park has attracted many new residents thanks to job opportunities at the nearby UC Davis Medical Center and the neighborhood’s proximity to thriving small businesses in North Oak Park. “North Oak Park saw that growth first, and now it’s going down into Central Oak Park,” says Robin Rollman, a real estate agent with Rollman Properties who's lived in Sacramento more than 10 years. Central Oak Park has not yet seen the same level of commercial growth as North Oak Park, but as demand increases, some of the area’s older homes are being renovated, and property values are rising. Development has changed this historic suburb, but longtime residents have stayed engaged and vocal through events at McClatchy Park and nonprofits like City of Refuge Sacramento.

Recently renovated Craftsman bungalows and midcentury properties

Housing in Central Oak Park includes Craftsman bungalows from the 1910s and ‘20s, as well as minimal traditional ranch-style homes and bungalows from the mid to late-20th century. “A lot of the homes have old charm, similar to East Sacramento,” Rollman says. “There has been a real push to rebuild with people moving in and fixing up the homes. It’s exciting to see that vibrancy.” Properties typically feature stucco or vinyl exteriors and small front yards with iron or wooden fencing. Mature pine, oak and palm trees shade narrow sidewalks, and streets are lined with parked cars on both sides. Older homes are in various stages of repair, ranging in price from about $250,000 to $600,000. The area is prone to flooding, and some lenders may require flood insurance.

This ranch-style home in Central Oak Park has stucco with a southwest vibe.
This ranch-style home in Central Oak Park has stucco with a southwest vibe.
This renovated bungalow home is becoming more popular in Central Oak Park.
This renovated bungalow home is becoming more popular in Central Oak Park.
Some bungalows in Central Oak Park are ready to be renovated to match most the neighborhood.
Some bungalows in Central Oak Park are ready to be renovated to match most the neighborhood.
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Local restaurants on Broadway and Stockton Boulevard

Many popular shops and restaurants are just north on Broadway, within walking distance of Central Oak Park. Fixins Soul Kitchen is a local favorite for southern classics like fried chicken and grits. On the same block, Old Soul café serves lattes and breakfast next to Underground Books, a bookstore operated by local nonprofit St. Hope. Although Central Oak Park has less retail, several restaurants line Stockton Boulevard on the neighborhood’s east side. Opened in 1953, Luigi’s Pizza Parlor prides itself on its homemade pizza dough. The historic Colonial Theatre, built in the early 1940s, hosts cabaret shows, live music and other performances. Local bands often play at The Colony, a smaller venue next door. Nearby grocery options include neighborhood corner stores like Stanford Market and chains like Smart & Final. The Oak Park Farmers Market in McClatchy Park opens every Saturday from May until November, with local vendors selling produce and artisanal goods.

Anna’s Vegan Café serves delicious styles of food for the non-meat eater in Central Oak Park.
Anna’s Vegan Café serves delicious styles of food for the non-meat eater in Central Oak Park.
Luigi’s Pizza Garden has been serving Central Oak Park for over 70 years.
Luigi’s Pizza Garden has been serving Central Oak Park for over 70 years.
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Annual events at McClatchy Park and other community activities

Lots of community groups and nonprofits hold events within Central Oak Park. Annual events include Celebrate Oak Park, held in June at McClatchy with kids STEAM activities, free ice cream and community resources. Community Shop Class on Stockton Boulevard teaches carpentry and other trades in an inclusive environment. At the center of the neighborhood, the city-operated Oak Park Community Center hosts kids' game nights and senior activities like ping pong tournaments. The nonprofit City of Refuge Sacramento provides free resources like diapers and weekly use of their laundry machines and showers. Once a month, the organization opens The Front Porch, a small community-building event with rocking chairs, dinner and an open mic.

Specialty programs at Hiram W. Johnson High

Within Central Oak Park, families can walk to Father Keith B. Kenny Elementary, which has a C grade on Niche. The B-plus-rated California Middle offers over a dozen after-school activities, including a Taylor Swift Club and Mathletes teams. Hiram W. Johnson High, rated B-minus, houses specialty programs and pathways in law, business and medical sciences. For higher education, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law is in the neighborhood’s west end, and Sacramento City College is nearby.

Father Keith B. Kenny School is a highly rated school in Central Oak Park.
Father Keith B. Kenny School is a highly rated school in Central Oak Park.
California Middle is a safe environment for students to learn and thrive.
California Middle is a safe environment for students to learn and thrive.
An entrance view to Hiram W. Johnson High School in Sacramento.
An entrance view to Hiram W. Johnson High School in Sacramento.
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Carnival-themed playgrounds and athletic courts at McClatchy Park

The 15-acre McClatchy Park, on the neighborhood’s west side, was once home to the Joyland amusement park. It now has a carnival-themed playground paying homage to the park’s history. The park also features a baseball field, two tennis courts and a nine-hole disc golf course. During hot California summers, when temperatures rise well above 90 degrees, locals can beat the heat at the park’s public pool. Smaller parks with playgrounds and basketball courts can be found around the park’s north and south ends, including Jack Davis Park and Fourth Avenue Park. Tanama Garden, on the neighborhood’s east side, is a community garden where volunteers work together to grow produce and other flora.

Man goes for the hole in one on the 9 hole disc golf coarse at McClatchy Park.
Man goes for the hole in one on the 9 hole disc golf coarse at McClatchy Park.
Pickle ball is popular to play at James McClatchy Park.
Pickle ball is popular to play at James McClatchy Park.
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Commuting to downtown Sacramento or the nearby UC Davis Medical Center

California State Route 99 forms the neighborhood’s western border, contributing to road noise during the day. Those who work in downtown Sacramento have a 4-mile commute, while UC Davis Medical Center, another major employer, is less than 2 miles away. Construction is underway on a large expansion project for the medical center, which will add over 300 rooms along with other new facilities. The addition is expected to bring many jobs to the area and will most likely be finished by 2030. Bike lanes and Sacramento Regional Transit bus stops line major roadways like Broadway and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The Sacramento International Airport is about 16 miles away.

Andi Sink
Written By
Andi Sink
Daniel Reagan
Photography Contributed By
Daniel Reagan
Zack Kojoyian
Video By
Zack Kojoyian

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 Tony Nguyen, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Sacramento International

23 min drive

Bus

Stockton Blvd & Broadway (Sb)

Bus

12th Ave & Freeway (Wb)

Bus

12th Ave & 36th St (Wb)

Bus

Stockton Blvd & 9th Ave (Nb)

Bus

Broadway & San Rafael Way (Eb)

Bus

M L King Jr Blvd & 9th Ave (Nb)

Bus

14th Ave & 42nd St (Wb)

Reviews

Niche Reviews
2.6 24 Reviews
2.0 Niche User
6/18/2014 Niche Review
There's an occasional food outside market
2.0 Current Resident
8/29/2017 Niche Review
I have lived in Oak Park for the last 30 years. Before it was family-orientated loving everybody knew everybody. Now it is gang infested, we need to invest in the community, we need to uplift with love and be family-oriented again .
3.0 Current Resident
11/26/2018 Niche Review
I would love to see non black people help the black families in the community keep their homes instead of buying them an selling them and fix up the abandoned homes an rent them to people with section 8 housing vouchers that pass rental credit checks and not ask for 2 to 3 times the rent because in all reality if section 8 voucher holder made 2 to 3 times the rent they would NOT be alloed to be on section 8 so help change the neighborhood by hiring the people that live there to help build the houses an clean them up you can save also provide some neighborhood watch u iforms an help them to help their neighborhood by looking out over it
4.0 Former Resident
7/11/2019 Niche Review
Everyone from here is extremely friendly and loving to their neighbors. The opportunities that come from this area are outstanding and unmatched by most areas in Sacramento. I would, however, like to see less gentrification of the area.
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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Central Oak Park US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$380,000
Median Single Family Price
$394,500
Median Townhouse Price
$577,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$381
Number of Homes for Sale
14
Last 12 months Home Sales
57
Months of Supply
2.90
Median List Price
$415,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-3%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,620
Median Year Built
1938
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,065
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,536
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,227

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 Tony Nguyen, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
5,458
Median Age
36
Population Density
14 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.8%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$62,544
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$75,340

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
82.1%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
30.4%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
10.1%
% Population in Labor Force
63.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
18''
Average Winter Low Temperature
39°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

82 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

73 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

40 / 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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
Central Oak Park