At a glance
| Typical home value | $429,800 (−1.4% in a year, Zillow, Aug 2026) |
|---|---|
| Location | Southwest of downtown, along the St. Johns River |
| Rough boundaries | I-10, the river, Fishweir Creek, and Roosevelt Boulevard with the CSX line |
| Origins | Riverside platted 1868 and annexed 1887; Avondale developed from 1920 |
| Local historic district | Yes: Riverside Avondale, with Certificate of Appropriateness review |
| ZIP codes | 32204 and 32205 |
| Shopping areas | Five Points, King Street and the Shoppes of Avondale |
Where Riverside and Avondale are
The two neighborhoods run together along the west bank of the St. Johns River southwest of downtown. The rough limits are Interstate 10 to the north, the river to the east, Fishweir Creek to the south and Roosevelt Boulevard and the CSX rail line to the west. The line between Riverside and Avondale is informal; one version uses Seminole Road and Belvedere Avenue, the north edge of the Avondale Historic District.
Five Points, the King Street District and the Shoppes of Avondale on St. Johns Avenue are the main commercial areas. Memorial Park and Riverside Park are on the city parks list, and the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is in Riverside.
What the homes are like
Riverside grew fastest after the Great Fire of 1901, with larger houses near the river and more modest bungalows inland, and building continued until the late 1920s land bust. It is often described as Florida's most architecturally varied neighborhood. Avondale, started in 1920, was planned with more uniform homes, mostly in the Mediterranean Revival style.
Many houses here are around a century old. Ask for permit history, insurance quotes and a full inspection before your inspection period ends; our Florida home inspection checklist covers the basics.
Avondale and Riverside home prices
Zillow's typical value was $429,793 in Avondale and $366,297 in Riverside in August 2026, both slightly down on the year, while Jacksonville overall was $285,103, down 0.8%. The ZIP figures are lower because they mix in other areas: 32205 was $255,208 and 32204 was $319,300. Compare sales on the same street, and see the Jacksonville ZIP code guide for how these ZIPs compare with the rest of the city.
Historic district rules for buyers
Riverside Avondale is one of the city's locally designated historic districts. A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is needed for exterior work, including window and siding repairs, fences, driveways and sheds, even if the house is listed as non-contributing or not visible from the street. Interior work that does not change the exterior needs no COA.
- Timing: staff approvals take about one to two weeks. Demolition of contributing buildings, new construction, two-story garages and two-story additions go to the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission, which takes at least a month.
- Fees: commission review costs $315 for alterations, $495 for additions or new construction and $610 for demolition, and fees double for work started without approval.
- Validity: a COA lasts one year, or five years once work has begun.
Ask the seller whether past exterior work had a COA, and look up the address in the city's COA search. Owners of locally designated properties who complete an approved rehabilitation can apply for a partial exemption on the city portion of their property tax; the project must be reviewed before work begins and approved by City Council. Riverside Avondale Preservation, founded in 1974, is a private nonprofit and not the approving body.
Flood zones and schools
Parcels near the river and Fishweir Creek can be in FEMA's high-risk A or AE zones. Check the exact address, ask for the seller's flood disclosure and quote insurance early; a new NFIP policy usually starts 30 days after purchase. Read our Jacksonville flood zone guide for the map codes.
Duval County Public Schools assigns schools by address. In the state's 2025-26 grades, Fishweir, West Riverside and Ruth Upson elementaries received an A, Central Riverside Elementary a B and Riverside High School a C. Confirm the zoned school and see the Jacksonville schools guide for magnet options.
Common questions
What is the typical home value in Avondale, Jacksonville?+
Zillow's typical home value in Avondale was $429,793 in August 2026, down 1.4% from a year earlier. Neighboring Riverside was $366,297, down 0.3%. Both are well above the Jacksonville figure of $285,103. Prices vary a lot by street, so compare recent sales close to the home you are considering.
Do I need permission to renovate a house in Riverside Avondale?+
For exterior work, yes. Riverside Avondale is a local historic district, so windows, siding, fences, driveways, sheds, additions and demolition need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the City of Jacksonville. Staff approvals take about one to two weeks; items that go to the Historic Preservation Commission take at least a month. Interior-only work does not need one.
Where are Riverside and Avondale in Jacksonville?+
They sit southwest of downtown along the St. Johns River, roughly between Interstate 10 to the north and Fishweir Creek to the south, with Roosevelt Boulevard and the CSX line to the west. Most homes use ZIP 32204 or 32205. Five Points, King Street and the Shoppes of Avondale are the main shopping areas.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Riverside (Jacksonville)
- Zillow Research: Home value data (ZHVI, August 2026)
- City of Jacksonville: Certificate of Appropriateness process
- City of Jacksonville: Historic preservation FAQ (COA rules, fees, timing)
- City of Jacksonville: Historic district search by address
- City of Jacksonville: Historic preservation financial incentives
- Riverside Avondale Preservation: Our story
- City of Jacksonville: All parks (addresses)
- FloodSmart (FEMA): What is my flood zone?
- FloodSmart (FEMA): Buy a flood insurance policy (30-day wait)
- Florida Statutes 689.302: Flood disclosure in the sale of residential property
- Florida Department of Education: 2025-26 school grades (released September 2026)
- Duval County Public Schools: School choice options