In Los Angeles real estate circles, everyone talks about Highland Park. Like other northeast Los Angeles neighborhoods like Silver Lake, Eagle Rock, and Mt. Washington, Highland Park is in a state of gentrification as new shops and restaurants pop up on York Blvd. and homes are being bought and restored. As a result, homes in Highland Park are in demand and prices have risen steadily. But gentrification is not the only reason. Highland Park is a wonderful area to call home.

Highland Park is a nice historic neighborhood located in Northeast Los Angeles. It is a mountainous neighborhood located in the hills of San Rafael along the Arroyo Seco. It is southwest of Eagle Rock and northeast of Cypress Park. People from many ethnic and socioeconomic groups call this neighborhood “home.” The climate is pristine with the highest monthly average temperature of 73 degrees in the hottest month of July and 57 degrees in the coldest month of December. Highland Park experiences light rain; January receives the highest amount with a total of 4.6 inches. According to Walk Score, Highland Park is the most walkable neighborhood in Los Angeles with a score of 72. It is very accessible and most errands can be done on foot. It has some public transportation and is bikeable with a transit score of 47 and a bike score of 53.

According to the 2000 US Census, there were 57,566 residents in the neighborhood’s 3.42 square miles. That’s an average of 16,385 people per square mile. Highland Park is one of the highest density areas in Los Angeles. Highland Park grew to 60,835 people in 2008. The ethnic breakdown was as follows: Latino 72.4%, White 11.3%, Asian 11.2%, Black 2.4%, and Other 2.6%. A higher than average 57.8% of residents were born abroad. 55.3% of them were born in Mexico and 12% were from El Salvador. In the male population, 52.2% were married, 41.2% had never been married, 4.9% had been divorced, and 1.6% were widowed. For women: 50.4% were married, 33.2% were never married, 9.3% were divorced, and 7.1% were widowed. The demographic of people who never married was among the highest in the county. 14.3% of residents age 25 and older had a four-year degree. This was normal for Los Angeles. 45.1% of residents were born in a foreign city. This was a high number for Los Angeles. 4.9% of the people in the population were veterans; this was a low number for Los Angeles. The median age of residents was 28, which is considered young compared to the other areas of Los Angeles.

The median household income in 2008 was $45,478, which is an average number for Los Angeles. The average household size was 3.3 people, 25% more than the national average. Renters occupied 60.9% of housing units, 105% more than the national average. Homeowners filled in the other 39.1%, which is 58% lower than the national average.

Zillow states that Highland Park’s home value index is $662,800, an increase of 13.1% from last year and with a projected increase of 4.3% for next year. The market temperature is very high and ideal for sellers. The average price per square foot is $582, which is higher than the Los Angeles average of $448. The median home price is $652,500, which is 123% higher than the national average. Median rent per month is $2,600, which is 22% higher than the national average. The current Market Health is 5.3/10, which is relative to other markets across the country. Highland Park will continue to grow and develop.

Because Highland Park is in a phase of gentrification with rising home prices, home buyers and sellers are strongly advised to seek out an experienced real estate agent in Highland Park who specializes in the area.