Willow Glen

Willow Glen is a thriving urban neighborhood in the city of San Jose, which is located in the Santa Clara County, California. It is a highly walkable neighborhood which features shady streets and unique boutiques. The neighborhood is quite popular with urban sophisticates and offers many opportunities to explore the arts, as well as cultural events and fine dining options. It is a family friendly neighborhood with quiet streets, low crime rates and high rates of homeownership. There is plenty of room for people and pets to run, abundant green spaces and an abundance of California sunshine. Most families in the neighborhood prefer to send their children to private and preparatory schools. It is a predominantly white-collar neighborhood where over 60% of the workforce hold executive positions. There is a mix of ethnicities and ancestries that give the neighborhood a distinctly diverse nature. Common ancestries in the mix are European American, Latino and Asian. English remains the primary language of the neighborhood followed by Spanish, Polish and Vietnamese. 

The neighborhood spans approximately 3.697 square miles. It is an affluent neighborhood and is among the top 5% of America’s wealthiest neighborhoods. In 2107, the approximate population was are 25,506 and the approximate population density was around 6,889 people per square mile. In the same year, the approximate median real estate price was $1,200,425 and the average rental price was $2,974 monthly. Most residents of Willow Glen drive private vehicles for their daily commutes, which average 15-30 minutes daily.  

The neighborhood was once an independent municipality which began in the mid-1800s. It was later annexed by the city of San Jose, but still features its own downtown historic area with a variety of shops and restaurants. Frank Lewis and Isaac Bird are considered the founders of the community. The first school in Willow Glen was founded in 1863 revealing that the community was growing and thriving. It remained an unincorporated community for many years finally incorporating in 1927. It remained independent until it was annexed by San Jose in 1936. 

This warm and welcoming neighborhood hosts several wonderful events throughout the year, including the Dancin’ on the Avenue Street Party, the Founders Day Celebration and the annual Christmas Tree Lights events where everyone decorates a small tree in their yard. This tradition was started by Robert and Arlene Cimine in 1950 and has continued since. Trees were purchased and delivered to the participating homes. Now the decades long tradition of a tree on every lawn stretches over 200 area San Jose streets. The neighborhood features bike trails, parks and more. 

 Housing in the neighborhood consists primarily of medium-sized single-family homes with three to four bedrooms. Most homes in the neighborhood were constructed between 1940 and 1970, though some more historic homes date back closer to 1940. Homes for sale come in a variety of styles including Victorian, Neoclassical, Colonial Revival, Craftsmen, Spanish Eclectic, Tudor, Prairie and more. To begin your home search in bustling Willow Glen, call local real estate agent and expert Melanie Ventura at 408-590-4272 today.