Living in Homewood, Alabama

Why People Are Moving to Homewood

If you ask ten Homewood residents why they live here, you’ll hear the same three things again and again: the schools, the walkability, and the community. Those aren’t marketing claims — they’re the actual reasons buyers pay a premium to live in this specific Birmingham suburb instead of any of the others. Each one deserves a closer look.

The #1 School District in Alabama

Homewood City Schools is currently ranked #1 in Alabama by Niche and grades A+ overall. The district serves about 4,460 students across three elementary schools, one middle school, and Homewood High School. In 2024, U.S. News & World Report recognized Homewood High as one of the top three traditional public high schools in the state. The high school offers 26 AP courses, a nationally recognized marching band, several state-championship sports programs, and CTE pathways ranging from welding to fashion design. The system breaks away from Jefferson County Schools — which Homewood did back in 1970 — and runs its own taxes, leadership, and academic standards. For families with school-age children, this is usually the deciding factor.

Genuine Walkability — Rare in Alabama

Homewood is one of the few places in Alabama where you can routinely walk to dinner, walk to school, walk to the pharmacy, and walk to your kid’s soccer game. Most of the city is built around four walkable commercial districts — Downtown Homewood, SoHo Square, Downtown Edgewood, and West Homewood — connected by tree-lined streets with actual sidewalks. Kids walk to school. Families walk to the Piggly Wiggly. Couples walk to grab dinner at one of the local restaurants. That’s a quality-of-life pattern that’s almost impossible to find anywhere else in the Birmingham metro.

A Real Community, Not a Subdivision

Homewood is small — about 8.3 square miles and 27,900 people — and it’s surrounded by other cities, meaning it physically cannot annex any more land. The city is what it is. The result is a place where neighbors know each other, kids grow up together from kindergarten through high school graduation, and community traditions actually exist. The annual “We Love Homewood Day” includes a 5K, downtown parade, and Central Park festival. The Fourth of July festival closes off Downtown Homewood for two blocks of carnival rides and food. The Homewood Witches Ride at Halloween. Holiday Open House. These aren’t manufactured events — they’re things people show up to year after year because the community actually shows up.

Five Minutes to Everything

Homewood sits about 3 to 4 miles south of downtown Birmingham. UAB, Children’s of Alabama, the Birmingham VA, the financial district — all within a 10-minute commute. The Vulcan Park and Museum sits at the top of Red Mountain at the north edge of the city. Mountain Brook is the eastern neighbor. Vestavia Hills is to the south. For dual-career professional couples, that proximity matters: one spouse can be at UAB by 8 AM, the other downtown by 8:15, and both can be back home for dinner with the kids by 6.

Homewood at a Glance

Before getting into neighborhoods and market data, here’s the snapshot of Homewood itself:

A Brief History of Homewood

Homewood’s story is unusual among Birmingham suburbs because it was deliberately created. In the wake of Birmingham’s 1873 cholera epidemic, residents began moving out of the crowded industrial city and into the cleaner air of the countryside south of Red Mountain. By the early 1900s, three small communities had grown up in Shades Valley: Edgewood, Rosedale, and Grove Park. In 1920, an attorney named Charles Rice spearheaded an effort to merge the three into a single municipality, and the new City of Homewood was officially incorporated on October 29, 1926. The nearby town of Hollywood was annexed in 1929.

Homewood’s growth took off after World War II, with the city’s population jumping 74% between 1940 and 1950 as Birmingham’s steel mills ran at full capacity. Oak Grove was annexed in 1955; the Lakeshore area in 1959–60; and additional parcels through the 1960s and 70s. In 1970, Homewood made the consequential decision to break away from the Jefferson County school system and form its own — a move that has shaped the city’s identity and home values ever since.

One historical note worth knowing: Homewood largely escaped the racially motivated violence that plagued Birmingham during the civil rights era, but the city’s Rosedale neighborhood was the site of a bombing in 1963 — part of the broader pattern of attacks across the metro that year. Today, Rosedale remains a historically significant African American community within Homewood, with ongoing investment and renovation activity.

Homewood’s Neighborhoods: Pick Your Pocket

Although Homewood is only 8.3 square miles, each of its neighborhoods has a distinct personality. The five most-requested submarkets:

Edgewood

The crown jewel walking neighborhood. Edgewood is the heart of Homewood’s pedestrian culture — primarily single-family bungalows and Tudors on tree-lined streets, with Downtown Edgewood (along Broadway and Oxmoor Road) as its commercial core. Within a few-block radius, residents have an independent bookstore, antique shops, coffee shops, ice cream, barbecue, pharmacies, and a children’s clothing store. Edgewood Elementary School and Homewood Middle School are both walkable from most homes. This is where you see strollers, doodles, and elementary-school kids walking home from school on a typical afternoon.

• School zone: Edgewood Elementary → Homewood Middle → Homewood High
• Typical price range: $500K – $1.2M+
• Best for: Families who want maximum walkability and won’t compromise on it

Hollywood

Just east of Edgewood, Hollywood is known for its distinctive Spanish tile-roofed homes along Hollywood Boulevard and Bonita Drive — a unique architectural pocket that gives the neighborhood a Mediterranean feel you don’t see anywhere else in Alabama. Hollywood is in the Shades Cahaba Elementary zone, and the neighborhood offers walkability to Downtown Homewood and SoHo Square.

• School zone: Shades Cahaba Elementary → Homewood Middle → Homewood High
• Typical price range: $550K – $1.5M+
• Best for: Buyers who want architectural character and a quieter walking experience than Edgewood

West Homewood

Once the more affordable corner of Homewood, West Homewood has been on a quiet upward trajectory for the last decade. Charming bungalows and cottages, walkability to its own Patriot Park, the West Homewood community center, and the cluster of restaurants near Oxmoor Road. The development of Homewood Soccer Park and the recent revitalization of the commercial strip on West Oxmoor have added energy to the area. Generally the most accessible entry point to Homewood schools.

• School zone: Hall Kent Elementary → Homewood Middle → Homewood High
• Typical price range: $350K – $700K
• Best for: First-time Homewood buyers, younger families looking for value within the district

Rosedale and Grove Park

Two of Homewood’s three original communities (along with Edgewood). Rosedale is a historically African American neighborhood with deep roots and ongoing investment activity. Grove Park sits adjacent. Both neighborhoods are seeing significant renovation and infill construction. Pricing varies widely depending on whether you’re buying a fully renovated home or a property awaiting work.

• School zone: Edgewood Elementary or Hall Kent → Homewood Middle → Homewood High (varies by block)
• Typical price range: $250K – $650K
• Best for: Investors, renovation buyers, and value-conscious families willing to put in sweat equity

Lake Drive Estates / Lakeshore / Edgemont

The areas around Samford University and Lakeshore Drive (the heart-line of the city, named after a man-made lake that was filled in long ago). A mix of mid-century ranch homes, custom builds, and newer construction. Lakeshore offers proximity to Samford and to the Lakeshore commercial corridor with its own retail and dining.

• School zone: Hall Kent Elementary → Homewood Middle → Homewood High
• Typical price range: $400K – $900K
• Best for: Buyers wanting larger lots than Edgewood while staying in Homewood schools

Schools: The #1 District in Alabama

Homewood City Schools is the single biggest reason people pay the premium to live in this city. The district consistently ranks #1 in Alabama on Niche, is one of the top 100 systems in the country, and has earned national recognition from U.S. News & World Report. Here’s the full lineup:

Why Homewood Schools Stand Out

A few specifics worth knowing:

• Class sizes are smaller. The district averages about 14 students per teacher — well below the Alabama state average of 20 and one of the lowest in the metro.
• Homewood High has 26 AP courses, plus an unusually deep slate of CTE programs ranging from welding to fashion to engineering. The Patriot Marching Band is nationally recognized.
• Reading and math proficiency run substantially above state and Jefferson County averages — 72% combined proficiency vs. roughly 38% statewide.
• Homewood does not provide school bus transportation. This is genuinely unusual and worth knowing — most students walk, bike, or get dropped off. It’s part of why walkability and proximity to schools drive so much of the home value equation here.

Private School Alternatives

If Homewood’s public schools aren’t the right fit, several private options are within easy reach:

• Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School (K3–8) — Located inside Homewood city limits
• Highlands School (6 weeks – 8th Grade) — Highly regarded independent school
• The Altamont School (5–12) — One of the most selective independent schools in the South
• John Carroll Catholic High School (9–12) — Just minutes away
• Briarwood Christian School (PK–12) — Large Christian school in nearby suburb
• Creative Montessori, Alabama Waldorf, Joseph Bruno Montessori — All within the metro

Homewood Real Estate Market: The Numbers

Homewood is one of the strongest, most consistent housing markets in the Birmingham metro. Inventory stays tight — the city is fully built out and can’t annex any more land — and demand from school-driven buyers stays steady year over year. The market currently has 2026 momentum: prices up year-over-year, days on market down sharply, and the typical Homewood home selling within about a month of listing.

Citywide Snapshot

Price by Neighborhood

Pricing within Homewood varies significantly by neighborhood, condition, and proximity to schools. Here’s the rough breakdown:

Cost of Living in Homewood

Homewood runs above the Birmingham metro average for overall cost of living — almost entirely because of housing. Outside the home itself, costs are roughly in line with Greater Birmingham.

The math that surprises a lot of out-of-state buyers: Homewood’s overall cost of living index is roughly 91.5 vs. the national average of 100 — meaning even with the higher housing costs relative to the rest of Birmingham, the city is still cheaper to live in than most major American metros. Property taxes in particular run a fraction of what you’d pay on a comparable home in Texas, Illinois, New Jersey, or California.

Lifestyle: What It’s Really Like to Live in Homewood

Homewood is genuinely a community in a way that’s hard to find in modern American suburbs. Here’s what a year of living here looks like:

Downtown Homewood and SoHo Square

The center of the city. SoHo Square is the main retail/dining hub, anchored by Homewood City Hall (completed 2005), local restaurants, boutique shopping, and the Aloft Birmingham Soho Square hotel. The Square District Theatre, established 2016 and moved into its current location in 2022, produces six community-driven theatrical productions each season. Eighteenth Street South is lined with locally owned restaurants and boutiques — “Homewood’s version of Main Street,” as residents call it. The 4th of July Festival closes off two blocks of 18th Street for rides, food, and family activities.

Downtown Edgewood

The corner of Broadway and Oxmoor Road. Picnic tables outside ice cream shops, antique stores, a children’s clothing boutique, and easily the most walkable few blocks in metro Birmingham. Edgewood Elementary and Homewood Middle School are both within easy walking distance, which is why you see families on this corner at all hours.

West Homewood

Its own distinct neighborhood feel, with the West Homewood Park and Pool, the West Homewood Soccer Park, and a small cluster of restaurants along Oxmoor Road. The annual West Homewood Farmers Market has become one of the best in the metro.

Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Homewood operates four major parks through its Parks and Recreation Board:

• Homewood Park (Central) — The largest, at Oxmoor Road and Central Avenue. Pool, walking paths, playgrounds, community events.
• West Homewood Park — Pool, soccer fields, baseball fields, walking trail.
• Patriot Park — Off Oak Grove Road. Playgrounds, walking trails, sports fields.
• Shades Creek Greenway — Paved walking/biking path along Shades Creek through the heart of the city; connects to Brookwood Mall and beyond.

Beyond Homewood’s own parks, Vulcan Park and Museum sits at the top of Red Mountain at the north end of the city — home to the world’s largest cast-iron statue and the best view of the Birmingham skyline. Red Mountain Park, Ruffner Mountain, and Oak Mountain State Park are all within 20 minutes.

Food and Drink

Homewood’s restaurant scene punches well above the city’s size. Highlights include:

• Saw’s Soul Kitchen — Nationally recognized BBQ
• O’Henry’s Coffee — Local roaster with multiple locations
• Little Donkey — Modern Mexican, James Beard semifinalist mentions
• Demetri’s BBQ — Long-running Homewood institution
• Real & Rosemary — Casual, fresh, family favorite
• Salem’s Diner — Classic Homewood breakfast spot
• Trattoria Centrale — Italian, downtown Homewood
• Edgewood — Multiple restaurants in the small downtown district

Community Traditions

Homewood’s annual calendar is unusually full for a city this size:

• We Love Homewood Day — Annual 5K, parade, and Central Park festival.
• 4th of July Downtown — Two blocks of 18th Street closed for carnival.
• Homewood Witches Ride — Halloween bicycle ride through downtown.
• Holiday Open House — Chamber of Commerce holiday shopping kickoff.
• Fall Festival at Central Park — Family-focused harvest event.

Samford University

Samford University, a private Christian liberal arts university with about 5,700 students, is located in Homewood off Lakeshore Drive. It’s one of the top-ranked private universities in the South and adds a young, academic flavor to the city — Samford basketball games, alumni events, and the campus’s beautiful Georgian architecture are part of Homewood’s daily life. The university doesn’t dominate the city the way UAB dominates Birmingham, but it’s a real presence.

Who’s Moving to Homewood?

A few buyer profiles consistently end up in Homewood:

Healthcare Professionals

UAB physicians, Children’s of Alabama staff, and residents at the various Birmingham hospital systems are among Homewood’s most common buyers. The 5-minute commute to UAB plus #1-ranked schools plus walkability is a near-perfect combination for dual-physician couples.

Young Professional Families

Couples in their late 20s to mid-30s who are starting or growing families and want the schools, the community, and the walkability — all things they often lived without in Atlanta, Nashville, or Charlotte before moving home. Many of these buyers grew up in Birmingham and specifically chose Homewood over the suburb they grew up in.

Returning Alabamians

Alabama and Auburn alumni who built careers in larger metros and are coming back, often around the time their first child reaches school age. They typically have strong incomes, want the schools and the community feel, and have done their homework on which suburb fits them. Homewood and Mountain Brook get the largest share of these buyers.

Empty Nesters Downsizing

A meaningful and growing segment. Couples whose kids are grown but who want to stay close — and who want urban walkability without leaving the suburb. New construction townhomes and condos in Downtown Homewood and SoHo Square have been specifically designed to serve this market.

Samford-Adjacent Buyers

Samford faculty, staff, and alumni who appreciate the campus’s presence and want to live within walking distance.

Renovators and Builders

Homewood has become one of the most active renovation markets in the metro. Builders like Twin Construction and dozens of others have built reputations on taking 1940s and 1950s bungalows and adding modern kitchens, primary suites, and additional square footage while keeping the original charm intact. This is one of the few markets where buying a home to renovate genuinely pencils out.

Buying a Home in Homewood: What to Know

A few realities of this specific market that are worth knowing before you tour homes:

• Inventory is genuinely scarce. Homewood is fully built out — the city physically cannot annex any more land. Combined with steady demand, this means homes that are well-priced and in good condition typically receive multiple offers within days. Average sale-to-list ratio in the best neighborhoods regularly exceeds 100%.
• Pre-approval is non-negotiable. If you’re touring Homewood without a current pre-approval letter, you’re going to lose. Sellers and listing agents won’t seriously consider an offer without it. Get this done before you tour a single home.
• School zone matters within the city. Homewood has three different elementary attendance zones (Edgewood, Hall Kent, Shades Cahaba). The middle and high schools are unified — every Homewood student goes to Homewood Middle and Homewood High — but the elementary feeder zone affects your child’s daily walk to school and the community of families you’ll be part of. Verify your specific address.
• Older homes are the rule, not the exception. Most of Homewood’s housing stock is pre-1970. Beautiful character, real craftsmanship, but also potential issues with knob-and-tube wiring, cast iron plumbing, foundation settling, and aging HVAC. A thorough inspection is essential. Renovation costs in Homewood run real — $150-200/sqft is typical for quality renovation work.
• Flood risk varies by location. Shades Creek runs through the city, and parts of downtown Homewood are in FEMA flood zones. Approximately 20% of Homewood properties are at some level of severe flood risk over the next 30 years. Pull flood maps before falling in love with a property.
• No school buses changes the equation. Because Homewood City Schools doesn’t run buses, families typically prefer to be within easy walking distance of their elementary school. This is a real value driver — homes within a few blocks of a school often command meaningful premiums.
• New construction is limited but premium. Most new homes in Homewood are tear-down rebuilds rather than new subdivisions. They typically price 30-40% above comparable older homes in the same neighborhood. Forest Ridge is one of the only newer-construction developments currently active.
• Property taxes are still low — just not as low. Because Homewood collects its own city property tax on top of Jefferson County’s rates, effective property taxes here run closer to 0.6% rather than the 0.4% you’d pay in unincorporated Jefferson County. Still far below national averages, but worth factoring into your monthly budget.

Selling a Home in Homewood

The seller side of the Homewood market is one of the strongest in Greater Birmingham. A few realities:

Under $600K in good condition: this is the most active segment. Well-prepared homes in any Homewood neighborhood typically receive multiple offers within the first week, often above asking. The biggest seller mistakes at this tier are pricing too aggressively (sellers see neighbors’ recent sales and assume they can match them without realizing condition differences matter) and skipping pre-list improvements that pay back at sale (refresh paint, polish hardwood floors, professionally stage).

$600K–$1M: this is the heart of the move-up market in Homewood. Buyers at this tier have options. Professional photography, video tours, staging, and accurate pricing become significantly more important. Days on market tend to run 30-45 days for well-presented homes at this price point.

Above $1M: this is luxury Homewood — Edgewood and Hollywood premium properties, new construction tear-down rebuilds, and Lake Drive Estates. Smaller buyer pool, longer marketing timelines, and a premium on broker network and reach. Our team handles a range of price points and can build the right marketing strategy for the segment your home falls in.

Getting Around Homewood

Homewood’s geography makes commuting easy. The city sits in Shades Valley between Red Mountain (to the north) and Shades Mountain (to the south), with all the major Birmingham metro arteries running through or alongside it:

• US-280 — Runs east-west along the southern edge of Homewood, providing direct connection to Mountain Brook and the Cahaba River suburbs.
• US-31 / Lakeshore Parkway — North-south through Homewood; the main artery connecting to downtown Birmingham.
• I-65 — Just west of Homewood; the main interstate route south to Hoover, north to downtown.
• Oxmoor Road — Major east-west arterial through the heart of Homewood; connects downtown Homewood to West Homewood.
• Green Springs Highway / US-65 — Western edge of Homewood; major retail corridor.

Homewood is also one of the few Birmingham suburbs with meaningful public transit. The Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (MAX) operates Routes 14, 39, and 42 through Homewood. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is approximately 25 minutes north of Homewood.

Frequently Asked Questions

These are the questions we get most often from buyers considering Homewood. Don’t see yours? Give our team a call at 205-292-2108.