Homes for sale in Downey, CA

Downey, CA offers all the conveniences of a central location in Los Angeles County and the tranquility of a suburban community with great schools and an abundance of parks, shops, and restaurants. If you're looking for the perfect family-friendly community in Southern California to call home, Downey just might be the right place for you.

Welcome to Downey, CA

Downey is a medium-sized city comprising 12.6 square miles and a population of over 111,000 (according to 2021 Census estimates). The birthplace of the Apollo space program, the city has a storied connection with aerospace and aviation.

During World War II, Downey's largest employer was Vultee Aircraft, which made 15% of all of America's military aircraft by 1941. Vultee Aircraft has the distinction of being a pioneer in employing women for manufacturing positions, as well as the first aircraft company to make airplanes on a powered assembly line.

Downey is also famous for being the location of the oldest-running McDonald’s across the globe.

The city was named after founder John Gately Downey, who served as the youngest-ever governor of California and is considered the father of the modern subdivision. He was also instrumental in introducing orange growing in the Southern California region.

While Downey was founded in 1873, it incorporated as a city only in 1956. It remained an agricultural community until after WWII when the aeronautic industry boomed in the city. Orange groves were replaced by residential plots, and the city came to be known as one of the earliest planned communities where high quality homes offer easy access to neighborhood parks, highly rated schools, and shopping centers.

The Downey, CA real estate market is dominated by single-family properties, but you will also find condos, townhouses, and multifamily homes. Homes in the city were mostly built from the 1950s to the 1970s but many houses were also constructed from the 1980s to the 2000s.

You won't find the typical cookie cutter homes in Downey. Detached properties here come with distinctive architecture, with California ranch and mid-century California bungalows as the most popular home styles. You'll also find plenty of houses in the Craftsman, cottage, and Mediterranean styles.

Square footage is anywhere from just under 1,000 to over 6,000 with two to 5 or more bedrooms. Lot sizes range from around 1,700 square feet to over ⅓ acre, guaranteeing ample yard space. The most upscale homes feature patios, pools, and outdoor living areas, in addition to spacious driveways, attached garages, updated kitchens, and the

Home prices and appreciation rates

Home prices in the city range from just under $400,000 to $3 million and above. Property values have increased by around 227.24% since 2000 or an average of 5.23% annually.

Owners outnumber renters in the city, with homeowners staying an average of around 19 years in their property. This means homes in the city don't come on the market often, so it's best to work with a Realtor who can constantly keep an eye out for new properties for sale that can potentially match your needs and preferences.

Popular neighborhoods

Downey, CA boasts established neighborhoods where homes with large landscaped yards line tranquil streets. The most popular neighborhoods include:

• Northeast Downey

  Known as the Beverly Hills of southeast Los Angeles, Northeast Downey features stunning expansive homes and estates mostly in the mid-century Ranch style, sitting on lot areas of at least 10,000 square feet.

• Cherokee Estates

  This venerable neighborhood has been around since the 1940s. It got its name from the Cherokee roses planted by Downey pioneer Albert Ball along a path leading to his estate, which has since been subdivided into smaller yet still sizable lot areas. Today, Cherokee Estates is still home to some of the most prestigious homes in Downey and is a treasure trove of classic mid-century California houses.

• Yankee Circle

  If you’re looking for an intimate neighborhood with classic single-level mid-century homes, head to Yankee Circle. This three-block neighborhood features beautiful exquisitely preserved houses from the post WWII era sitting on large lots of at least 7,500 square feet.

• Private Brookmill Road

  For quiet and privacy, you can’t beat Private Brookmill Road, which features homes set well away from each other on large tracts of land. Homes on Private Brookmill Road are also conveniently located only minutes away from nearby schools and retail and dining areas.

• The Island

  One of the most desirable neighborhoods in Downey, The Island is known for its secluded location surrounded by riverbeds, with easy access to The Treasure Island park which borders the neighborhood to the east. With The Island's ideal location and surrounding amenities, homes here offer great value that continuously attracts homebuyers.

The Climate

Like most of Southern California, Downey has a pleasant Mediterranean climate with an average of 287 days of sunshine throughout the year. Temperatures in the summer range from the low 70s to the mid 80s, while temperatures in the winter are usually be

GETTING AROUND

There is an extensive public transportation system in Downey, CA, with 107 bus stops spread throughout the city. Driving is also a popular way of getting around Downey and beyond, particularly with several major highways traversing the area, including I-105, I-5, and I-710.

Schools

Most of Downey is served by the Downey Unified School District, which includes a total of 62 schools at Downey, including 21 preschools, 39 elementary schools, 17 middle schools, and 13 high schools. There are several highly rated schools in the district including:

• Price Elementary School
• Unsworth Elementary School
• Old River Elementary School
• Rio San Gabriel Elementary School
• Williams Elementary School
• Doty Middle School
• Griffiths Middle School
• Downey High School
• Columbus (Christopher) High

TOP RESTAURANTS

Downey, CA has a thriving food scene, with a number of local restaurants that are guaranteed to whet your appetite. Your choices include Mexican, American, Argentinean, and Mediterranean cuisine. Whether you’re looking for a casual breakfast or brunch or an entertaining dinner with friends, you’re sure to find a restaurant that fits your needs.

These are some of our top picks:

WORLD CLASS SHOPPING

Downey offers an assortment of shopping options that range from sprawling shopping malls to vibrant farmers markets. Here are the top places to go:

These are some of our top picks:

Attractions and entertainment

Downey isn’t just a dining and shopping mecca. There are also many fun things to do here for people of all ages. Take the kids out for a day of fun and educational experience, or immerse yourself in culture and the arts. No matter your interests, you’ll find something in Downey to catch your fancy.

Outdoor recreation

Downey boasts of over 13 beautiful parks and facilities that cater to sports enthusiasts, dog owners, families with young children, skaters, and just about everyone. If you crave wide open spaces during the weekends, or have a regular outdoor fitness routine, here are the top places to go: