Bankhead is one of Atlanta’s best-known Westside names. The neighborhood grew up alongside the railroads and industry that shaped this side of the city, and it takes its name from the old Bankhead Highway, the road that runs right through it. Today Bankhead has its own MARTA station, sits next to Westside Park, and is a few minutes from West Midtown and Downtown. If you’re thinking about buying here, here’s what to know and my step-by-step guide.
Want the big picture first? See my Bankhead neighborhood guide for the video tour, market update and local favorites.
Bankhead at a glance
- Location: City of Atlanta, about three miles northwest of Downtown
- Neighbors: Grove Park, English Avenue and West Midtown
- Median sale price: $270,000 across ZIP 30314 (past 12 months)
- Transit: Bankhead MARTA station, the end of the Green Line
- Green space: Westside Park, opened in 2021
- Schools: Atlanta Public Schools
A little history
In the early 1900s, the Bankhead Highway was one of the first roads meant to carry cars across the country, and it was named for Alabama congressman John Hollis Bankhead, a champion of road building. People who lived along the highway in Atlanta started calling their community Bankhead, and the name stuck. In the 1990s, the Atlanta stretch of the highway was renamed Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, honoring the civil rights attorney who won the 1961 case that integrated the University of Georgia. Many Atlantans still call the road Bankhead, and so do the neighborhood and the MARTA station.
What it’s like to live in Bankhead
Bankhead is a neighborhood in transition. You’ll see long-time residents and homes that have been in families for generations, alongside renovations and new construction as the Westside changes. The biggest draws are access and value: a MARTA station, quick highway connections, a huge new park next door, and prices well below many intown neighborhoods. West Midtown’s restaurants, breweries and shops at The Works are a short drive north.
Homes and prices
You’ll find traditional single-family homes, mid-century ranches and a growing number of renovated homes and new builds. Because only a handful of homes sell under the Bankhead name each year, I look at ZIP 30314 for a bigger picture. Over the past 12 months, 147 homes sold across the ZIP at a median of $270,000, with a median of 34 days on the market, and 133 homes were for sale in October. Prices vary a lot between renovated homes and homes that still need work.
Who Bankhead fits
Bankhead tends to fit buyers who want a lower price point close to Downtown and West Midtown, who like having MARTA nearby, and who are excited about a neighborhood that’s still growing. If you want a finished, polished streetscape on every block, or you aren’t comfortable with some uncertainty about how an area will change, another neighborhood may fit better.
My step-by-step guide to buying in Bankhead
Step 1: Get fully pre-approved
Talk with a lender before you tour so you know your budget and monthly payment. A full pre-approval lets you move quickly when the right home comes up.
Step 2: Ask about down payment help
First-time buyers may qualify for Georgia Dream or City of Atlanta down payment programs. Some programs have income limits or require a homebuyer class, so ask early.
Step 3: Compare renovated homes and fixer-uppers
A fully renovated home and one that needs work can be priced very differently. Decide how much work you want to take on, and get contractor estimates before you write an offer on a home that needs updates.
Step 4: Inspect carefully
Plan for a full inspection and a sewer scope. Ask about the age of the roof, plumbing, electrical and HVAC, and whether permits were pulled for past renovations. Quality varies a lot, especially with flips.
Step 5: Check the school zone
Bankhead is in Atlanta Public Schools. Zones can change by street, so confirm the school zone for the exact address.
Step 6: Test your routine
Ride MARTA from Bankhead station, time your drive to work at rush hour, and walk your street and the nearby blocks at different times of day.
Step 7: Spend time in the neighborhood
Walk the trails at Westside Park, grab dinner in West Midtown and talk to neighbors. It’s the best way to see if Bankhead feels like home.
Local favorites near Bankhead
- Westside Park, with the Bellwood Quarry reservoir, trails and skyline views
- Proctor Creek Greenway, a trail connecting Westside neighborhoods
- The Works, West Midtown’s food hall, shops and entertainment
- West Midtown, restaurants and breweries a short drive north
Bankhead FAQ
How much do homes cost in Bankhead?
Few homes sell under the Bankhead name each year. Across ZIP 30314, which includes Bankhead and nearby Westside neighborhoods, homes sold at a median of $270,000 over the past 12 months (Nov 2025–Oct 2026), according to FMLS.
Why is it called Bankhead?
The neighborhood takes its name from the Bankhead Highway, an early cross-country auto route named for Alabama congressman John Hollis Bankhead. The road through Atlanta was later renamed Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, but the neighborhood and the MARTA station kept the Bankhead name.
Is there MARTA in Bankhead?
Yes. Bankhead station is the last stop on MARTA’s Green Line, with trains to Downtown and connections to the rest of the system.
What park is near Bankhead?
Westside Park, which opened in 2021, sits next to Bankhead. It surrounds the former Bellwood Quarry, now a reservoir, with trails and an overlook with skyline views.
What schools serve Bankhead?
Bankhead is in Atlanta Public Schools. Zones can change by street, so always confirm the school zone for the exact address.
Is Bankhead a good place for first-time buyers?
It can be. Prices are lower than many intown neighborhoods, and first-time buyers may qualify for Georgia Dream or City of Atlanta down payment programs. Because homes vary a lot in condition, a careful inspection and a clear budget matter.
Ready to explore Bankhead?
Whether you’re buying your first home, moving up, selling, relocating to Atlanta, or looking for an agent who welcomes LGBTQ+ clients, I’d love to help you find your place in Bankhead. Start with my Bankhead neighborhood guide, or call or text me at 404-643-2013.