The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 35224 sells for about $95,000, or $60 per square foot.
Prices are down 2.1% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 45 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,073 a month.
ZIP 35224
The 35224 housing market remains a low-cost, high-vacancy environment primarily driven by investor activity rather than owner-occupant demand. While prices have stabilized, the high unemployment rate and significant vacancy levels continue to present risks for the local real estate sector.
This ZIP is best suited for real estate investors seeking value-add opportunities and budget-conscious buyers looking for low-cost entry points into the Birmingham housing market.
Median prices moved down 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 45 days on market with 7.1 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 9.5% · poverty 15.8% — a mixed stability profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.7%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 3.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net outflow — more people moved out than in
ZCTA 35224, Jefferson County AL
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in the 35224 area remain elevated compared to the broader Birmingham metropolitan region, with property crime being a primary concern for residents.
Public schools serving the area generally receive lower performance ratings compared to state averages, reflecting ongoing challenges in the local educational landscape.
The area is subject to standard regional risks including severe thunderstorms and occasional tornado activity, with flood risk localized to specific low-lying drainage areas.
Economic momentum is driven by value-add real estate investment and proximity to Birmingham's industrial corridors, though large-scale commercial development remains limited.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Alabama) — Current Use Valuation: Allows property to be taxed based on its current use value rather than fair market value, potentially reducing the tax burden. Conversion to a non-qualified use triggers revaluation and potential back-tax liability. State (Alabama) — Class III Residential Property Tax Assessment: Property is assessed at 10% of its fair market value. The tax liability is calculated by multiplying the assessed value by the local millage rate. A standard homestead exemption applies to the 6.5 mill statewide property tax on the first $4,000 of assessed valuation. State (Alabama) — Class 3 Residential Property Tax Assessment: Residential property is classified as Class 3 and assessed at 10 percent of its fair market value. A standard homestead exemption applies to the 6.5 mill statewide property tax on the first $4,000 of assessed valuation. State (Alabama) — Standard State Ad Valorem Homestead Exemption: Exempts up to $4,000 in assessed valuation from the 6.5 mill state ad valorem tax levy (providing a maximum direct state tax reduction of $26.00). Formula: Adjusted State Tax = Max(0, (Assessed Value - $4,000)) × 0.0065. State (Alabama) — Statewide Ad Valorem Property Tax and Class III Residential Assessment Ratio: Establishes a baseline 6.5 statewide millage rate ($0.0065 per dollar of assessed value) under Ala.
Residents primarily rely on personal vehicles for commuting, with access to I-20 and I-59 providing direct routes into downtown Birmingham's employment core.
Local amenities include neighborhood parks and proximity to the larger green spaces and recreational facilities found in the western Birmingham suburbs.
The rental market is characterized by a high vacancy rate of approximately 28% and a significant renter share, attracting investors focused on low-entry-price BRRRR strategies.
The local economy is heavily influenced by the broader Birmingham industrial and service sectors, with many residents commuting to nearby manufacturing and logistics hubs.
Transportation is dominated by highway access via I-20/59, with limited public transit options available for daily commuting.
Development pipeline is currently focused on small-scale residential infill and infrastructure maintenance rather than major commercial projects.
The Jefferson County Tax Assessor manages property valuations, with assessments typically updated on a multi-year cycle.
Parcels are subject to Jefferson County property taxes and are served by the Birmingham City Schools district.
Property insurance premiums in the area are influenced by regional weather risks, including wind and hail exposure common to North Alabama.
Alabama is a non-judicial foreclosure state, allowing for relatively efficient processing of defaulted mortgages.
Alabama operates under a 'caveat emptor' (buyer beware) doctrine, placing the burden of property inspection primarily on the purchaser.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Topgolf Birmingham48 mi
- Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure4.410.5 mi
- Dave & Buster's Birmingham4.113.2 mi
- Altitude Trampoline Park Birmingham Amusement Park in Pelham, Alabama4.315.4 mi
- Activate Games4.911.4 mi
- Barber Motorsports Park4.919.2 mi
- Hoover Metropolitan Complex4.614.4 mi
- Topgolf Birmingham48 mi
- Birmingham Race Course Casino3.716.8 mi
- Coca-Cola Amphitheater4.27.8 mi
- Birmingham Zoo4.210.1 mi
- Birmingham Botanical Gardens4.810.3 mi
- McWane Science Center4.78.1 mi
- Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure4.410.5 mi
- Vulcan Park and Museum4.79.1 mi
- Barber Motorsports Park4.919.2 mi
- Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum4.919.2 mi
- McWane Science Center4.78.1 mi
- Vulcan Park and Museum4.79.1 mi
- Birmingham Museum of Art4.87.9 mi
- Birmingham Botanical Gardens4.810.3 mi
- Railroad Park Foundation4.78 mi
- Red Mountain Park4.87.6 mi
- Moss Rock Preserve4.812 mi
- Homewood Central Park4.79.4 mi
- Franklin Ferry Marina4.517.1 mi
- Topgolf Birmingham48 mi
- Avondale Brewing Company4.510 mi
- RTJ Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley4.38.6 mi
- RTJ Golf Trail at Ross Bridge4.510.2 mi
- Highland Park Golf Course4.310 mi
- Publix Super Market at 20 Midtown4.58.4 mi
- Publix Super Market at Edgemont Town Center4.58.6 mi
- T.J. Maxx4.212.4 mi
- The Fish Market Restaurant4.48.7 mi
- Publix Super Market at Montclair Place4.512.5 mi
- Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport4.311.4 mi
- Birmingham Airport Authority4.611.4 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Local community park serving the immediate neighborhood.
Key-figure check: median price diverges 22.1% from the nearest retained anchor (published ten-year series (2026)) — beyond the 12.5% tolerance; an automated validation case is open and the value publishes pending its verdict. Research outlier held out — this pass returned a median of $74,000 (22.1% off the retained reading), contradicting every independent anchor; the prior reading stands pending corroboration. Validation: the flagged $74,000 (-22.1% vs the published ten-year series (2026)) could not be independently corroborated and was reverted to the prior cycle value pending review; the case is under review in the Command Center.