Kirkwood is a fit if you love Craftsman bungalows, a small-town main street feel and a big neighborhood park, all inside the city. It’s one of the pricier neighborhoods on Atlanta’s east side, and homes sell quickly. 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 Kirkwood neighborhood guide for the video tour, market update and local favorites.
Kirkwood at a glance
- Location: East Atlanta, inside the city on the DeKalb County side
- ZIP code: 30317
- Median sale price: $737,042, Kirkwood, past 12 months (FMLS)
- Days on market: 9 (median)
- Known for: Craftsman bungalows, Hosea L. Williams Drive and Bessie Branham Park
A little history
Kirkwood started as an early streetcar suburb in the 1870s, became its own town in 1899 and was annexed by Atlanta in the early 1920s. It sits inside the City of Atlanta on the DeKalb County side. Craftsman bungalows became its signature style, with late-1800s Victorians mixed in, and new infill homes have been going up since the mid-1990s. The Kirkwood Historic District has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2009.
What it’s like to live in Kirkwood
Kirkwood’s main street and park give it a small-town feel inside the city. Hosea L. Williams Drive has restaurants, bars, coffee shops, a wine store and a library, and a streetscape project added bike lanes and better crosswalks. Bessie Branham Park has courts, a ball field, a playground, a recreation center and Atlanta’s only Urban Treehouse. The year is full of community events: the Spring Fling and Tour of Homes, a fall Wine Stroll and Home for the Holidays. The PATH Trolley Line trail runs through the neighborhood.
Homes and prices
Craftsman bungalows are Kirkwood’s signature style, but you’ll find a real mix. Here’s what to expect:
- Craftsman bungalows: Early-1900s homes with front porches and tree-shaded lots, from original condition to fully renovated.
- Victorians and brick cottages: A smaller number of late-1800s Victorians plus mid-century brick cottages, often a little below the median.
- New construction: Infill homes have been going up since the mid-1990s, usually larger two-story homes priced above the median.
- Townhomes and lofts: Newer townhome rows and loft conversions like the Kirkwood School Lofts offer a lower-maintenance way in.
In Kirkwood, 109 homes sold over the past 12 months (Nov 2025–Oct 2026) at a median of $737,042, with a median of just 9 days on the market and homes selling at about 100% of list price. Only 27 homes were for sale in October. Smaller original bungalows usually come in under the median, while renovated homes and new construction sit above it. These numbers come from FMLS InfoSparks and cover a fairly small number of sales, so I’ll pull recent sales for the exact streets and home type you’re looking at.
Getting around
Kirkwood sits on Atlanta’s east side, about 5 miles east of Downtown, between Edgewood and Candler Park to the west and East Lake to the east, with I-20 running along the south side.
- MARTA: Kirkwood sits between the Edgewood/Candler Park and East Lake stations on the Blue Line, and buses run along Hosea L. Williams Drive and Memorial Drive.
- Trails: The PATH Trolley Line trail runs through the neighborhood, connecting toward Edgewood and Decatur.
- Driving: I-20 is just south of the neighborhood for quick trips Downtown and to the airport.
Schools
Kirkwood is served by Atlanta Public Schools in the Jackson cluster. Many homes are zoned for Fred A. Toomer Elementary, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School and Maynard H. Jackson High School, and Charles Drew Charter School is nearby in East Lake. Zoning can vary by street, so always check a specific address with APS before you buy.
Who Kirkwood fits
Kirkwood fits buyers who want walkable intown living with character and community events. If your budget fits, it’s a great first-home neighborhood; if prices stretch you, nearby East Lake and Edgewood are worth a look.
My step-by-step guide to buying in Kirkwood
Step 1: Get pre-approved
With a median of 9 days on market, have your pre-approval ready before you tour.
Step 2: Know you’re in DeKalb
Kirkwood is in the City of Atlanta but on the DeKalb side, so taxes and homestead exemptions go through DeKalb.
Step 3: Plan bungalow inspections
Many homes are about 100 years old: add a sewer scope, check the foundation and wiring, and expect a lead-based paint disclosure on homes built before 1978.
Step 4: Look next door
Infill homes are common; check nearby lots that could be built on.
Step 5: Use your due diligence period
In Georgia you negotiate a due diligence period and can walk away for any reason during it.
Step 6: Ask about down payment help
Georgia Dream and Invest Atlanta offer assistance to qualifying first-time buyers.
Step 7: Write a strong offer and close
I’ll pull recent sales street by street so your offer is competitive.
Local favorites in Kirkwood
- Hosea L. Williams Drive, restaurants, bars and coffee
- Bessie Branham Park, courts, fields and the Urban Treehouse
- Spring Fling and Tour of Homes, every spring
- Wine Stroll, a fall favorite
- Home for the Holidays, tree lighting and holiday market
- PATH Trolley Line trail, walk or bike through the neighborhood
Kirkwood FAQ
Is Kirkwood good for first-time buyers?
Yes, if your budget fits. You get a walkable main street, a big park and classic bungalows. If prices stretch you, nearby East Lake and Edgewood are worth a look.
What is the median home price in Kirkwood?
The median sale price in Kirkwood was $737,042 over the past 12 months (Nov 2025–Oct 2026), according to FMLS InfoSparks.
Is Kirkwood in Fulton or DeKalb County?
It’s in the City of Atlanta, on the DeKalb County side.
Does Kirkwood have historic district rules?
Kirkwood is on the National Register of Historic Places, but that listing doesn’t add city design review for homeowners.
Is Kirkwood safe?
I encourage every buyer to answer this one for themselves: check the Atlanta Police Department’s crime maps, visit at different times and talk to neighbors.
What MARTA stations are near Kirkwood?
Kirkwood sits between the Edgewood/Candler Park and East Lake stations on the Blue Line, and buses run along Hosea L. Williams Drive and Memorial Drive.
What schools serve Kirkwood?
Atlanta Public Schools. Many homes are zoned for Toomer Elementary, King Middle and Maynard Jackson High, and Drew Charter School is nearby. Check the exact address with APS.
What types of homes are in Kirkwood?
Mostly Craftsman bungalows, plus Victorians, brick cottages, newer infill homes, townhomes and lofts like the Kirkwood School Lofts.
Ready to explore Kirkwood?
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 Kirkwood. Start with my Kirkwood neighborhood guide, or call or text me at 404-643-2013.