HOMEWOOD
ONE OF THE HOTTEST HOUSING
MARKETS IN BIRMINGHAM
If you would like to live in a walkable neighborhood near shops and restaurants while remaining as close to downtown Birmingham as you can get, you would be hard pressed to find a better community to settle down in than Homewood. Homewood's historic bungalows and Tudor architecture make it visually pleasing, yes, but add top notch schools along with a truly wonderful mix of socio-economic and ethnic diversity, and you have the makings of a very special community. Whether you are a young couple looking to purchase your first home, or an established homeowner in search of an upgrade, you will find plenty of homes to choose from in Homewood. One of the best features of this area is that it has been, and will very likely remain, one of Birmingham's strongest housing markets. With inventory low, and home values climbing, there is no better time than the present to purchase a home in Homewood.
Homewood did not experience significant growth until the rapidly growing city of Birmingham suffered a major cholera epidemic in 1873. In response to the epidemic, many residents began moving to the countryside surrounding Birmingham to get away from the crowded city. The Edgewood area saw probably the greatest amount of development during this period boasting its own electric railway into downtown Birmingham by 1911, and a man made lake by 1915. The communities of Edgewood, Rosedale, and Grove Parc all voted to merge and incorporate under the Homewood name by 1920. The town of Hollywood became a part of the city in 1929.
The great depression and a polio epidemic which sickened 80 children severely damaged the social and economic fabric of the city. The regions economy picked back up as Birmingham's steel mills ramped up production for the WWII war effort. The city's population exploded, increasing by 74% between 1940 & 1950. Oak Grove was annexed into Homewood in 1955. For the most part, Homewood escaped the violence that plagued nearby Birmingham during the civil rights movement of the early 1960s, although an apparently racially motivated bombing did take place in Homewood's Rosedale community in 1963. In 1970, the city created its own school system, breaking away from the Jefferson County school system. The new Homewood High School opened in December 1972.
HOLLYWOOD
MAYFAIR
EDGEWOOD
SOHO
HALLMAN HILL
WEST HOMEWOOD
DOWNTOWN HOMEWOOD
PUBLIC
In1970, Homewood broke away from the Jefferson County school system, creating its own school system, Homewood Public Schools, which includes 3 elementary Schools, 1 Middle School, and 1 High School. Approximately 290 seniors graduated from Homewood HS in 2021. Homewood does not have school bus transportation.
PRIVATE
Private schools in and around Homewood include:
Creative Montessori School (18 mo - 8th Grade)
Alabama Waldorf School (Infant-K)
Joseph Bruno Montessori (K3-8)
Highlands School (6 weeks - 8th Grade)
St. Rose Academy(K3-8)
Prince of Peace Catholic School (K3-8)
St Francis Xavier Catholic School K3-8
Spring Valley School (learning differences)
Jewish Community Center (Infant-K)
NE Miles Jewish Day School (K-8)
The Altamont School (Gades 5-12)
John Carroll Catholic High School
Briarwood Christian School
In addition to the schools listed, there are many other options available.
EVENTS
- Annually, Homewood Parks & Rec hosts "We Love Homewood Day", which includes a 5k run, attractions at the Homewood Central Park and a parade that runs through downtown Homewood.
- The Exceptional Foundation's annual chili cook-off fundraiser.
- 4th of July in Downtown Homewood! Two blocks of 18th Street South & One block of 29th Ave South is blocked for pedestrian traffic to make way for rides and attractions in in Downtown Homewood
- Kick off the holiday shopping season with the Homewood Chamber of Commerce at their annual Holiday Open House.
- Annual Fall festival and witch's ride, Homewood Central Park.
Additional events can be found on the following websites: Homewood Chamber of Commerce, Homewood Parks and Recreation and The Homewood Star.
