An urban community and one of Saginaw's largest neighborhoods
Hugging the west side of the Saginaw River and about 2.5 square miles in size, Southwest is one of Saginaw’s largest neighborhoods with a population of around 6,000. This urban community is home to casual local restaurants popular among all Saginaw residents. It’s also a launching point for boating down the river. While the overall CAP Index crime score is 5 out of 10, just above the national average, violent crime scores hover between 6 and 8, while property crimes range from 3 to 5. Century-old single-family homes are prominent and typically modest in price. The median household income is $27,772, below the citywide median of $37,298. “There’s poverty here, so we do a lot of ministries to help the community. There are so many other churches making a difference as well,” says Melene Wilsey, pastor of New Heart Mission Church in Southwest. “We do a food and clothing pantry. There are also a lot of people who don’t own cars, so we do a bicycle ministry where we give out free bikes.”
Southwest's streets lined with many century-old homes that sell for modest prices.
Boaters in Southwest have easy to the Saginaw River with the Rust Boat Launch.
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Modest homes close together
Small bungalows and ranch-style homes built between the late 1800s and mid-1900s are common in Southwest. Some larger Tudor-style homes and Colonial Revivals can also be found. Houses are typically right next to each other and have fenced backyards, sitting on an average of 0.15-acre lots. Many homes need renovations. These fixer-uppers range from $5,000 to $40,000. A move-in ready house without the latest renovations can sell for $50,000 to $80,000. A fully renovated house goes for $90,000 to $250,000.
Compact bungalows with attached porches are a common home style found in Southwest.
Rare Tudor Revival homes are peppered here and there in the north of Southwest.
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Local staple restaurants and nearby retailers
Some stores and restaurants are located along Michigan Avenue and Gratiot Street. Tony’s is a well-known chain around Saginaw with spots along the two main roads, including the original location on Michigan Avenue. It’s known for its “Giant Steak Sandwich” and other American foods. Old Town Drive-In is also nearby, where people can order the restaurant’s famous coney dogs and root beer from a car hop. When locals want to hang out late, they head to Maple Gardens, a dive bar with pool tables, a patio and frequent live music that stays open until 2 a.m. every day. Shopping is limited in the neighborhood. There’s a Dollar General and Family Dollar. Department and grocery stores, such as Walmart and Kroger are less than 5 miles away.
Southwest's Old Town Drive-In keeps the old-timey look of drive-in diners of old.
Walmart's selection of groceries makes it one of the preferred shopping stops near Southwest.
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Community parks and access to the Saginaw River
Locals can visit Fordney Park, just steps away from homes on the neighborhood's north side. The 8-acre park is full of grassy areas with mature trees to relax and play. There’s also a playground and a picnic pavilion. The Saginaw River Headwaters Rec Area takes visitors on a stroll by the river and marshland. The Saginaw Marina stores boats off the water and sells fishing gear. It’s next to the Rust Avenue Boat Launch, where people can head out on the Saginaw River. “People are out all the time boating and kayaking,” says Wilsey. “A lot of people go fishing too, but no one keeps the fish because the river is polluted.” The river has been historically polluted by the Dow Chemical plant in Midland, and has been designated as an area of concern by the United States Environmental Protection Agency due to contaminated sediment, which has affected fish. For indoor entertainment, The Vault concert hall hosts national touring artists and can hold about 1,000 concertgoers.
Fordney Park has a paved half-mile of trails perfect for a daily run.
National tours and local cover bands regularly draw hundreds of Southwest fans to The Vault.
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Education through Saginaw Public School
Students attend Merrill Park Elementary, which is in the neighborhood and receives a C-minus grade from Niche. They’ll go on to Thompson Middle School, which also receives a C-minus. Saginaw United High School opened in 2024. The brand-new high school has not been graded yet. It has a floor for each grade level and features state-of-the-art classroom technology.
Thompson Middle School student needs are met with an 18-to-1 teacher student ratio.
Saginaw United High School is a new public high school that will soon open in Saginaw.
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STARS buses available for public transportation
STARS buses operate routes throughout the neighborhood’s residential streets and main roads. To get downtown, it’s about a 10-minute drive or a 20-minute bike ride. Travelers can fly out of MBS International Airport about 25 minutes away.
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
Michelle Hill,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
Fordney Park
Potthoff Park
Rust Park
Saginaw River Headwaters Recreation Area
Ojibway Island City Park
Randall Wickes Children's Playground
Riverfront Saginaw
Borchard Park
Transit
Airport
MBS International
29 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Southwest
US
Homicide
8
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Southwest, Saginaw sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Southwest, Saginaw over the last 12 months is $85,691, up 53% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Welcome to this beautifully updated 4-bedroom, 2-bath home featuring a unique and modern wet room bathroom. Thoughtfully renovated throughout, this home combines comfort and style with spacious living areas and contemporary finishes with full basement. The kitchen and baths have been tastefully updated, not missing a single detail, including the stunning wet room designed for both luxury and
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Conveniently located in Saginaw Mi, next to the Federal Wildlife Reserve, our complex offers nature enthusiasts the perfect setting to explore the great outdoors. Enjoy picturesque trails, bird watching, and a peaceful environment right at your doorstep. 10 Minutes from Downtown Saginaw, Hospitals and Dow Event Center. At the Lux of Saginaw, we offer spacious 1 and 2 bedroom apartment homes that
Property Id: 1168673How about a nice stroll through Old Town? You are only a few minutes away! This one bedroom apartment has been totally remodeled! New bathroom, carpet, lighting, windows and window coverings. Water, trash pickup, lawn and snow service provided.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Michelle Hill,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
6,087
Median Age
37
Population under 18
27.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$27,772
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$40,850
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
84.3%
College Graduates
11.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.5%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
59.1%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
39/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
26/ 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.
