The historic Old East Davis remains one of Davis’s most character-rich neighborhoods. It combines historic architecture, walkability, and a youthful energy rooted in proximity to downtown and campus life. Renters and smaller residences, with high home values for owner-occupied properties, dominate the area. While student density is high, the neighborhood retains a strong identity through community efforts, tree-lined streets, and heritage preservation.
- It lies east of the railroad tracks and runs roughly from 3rd Street to just north of 5th Street, bounded on the east by L Street and on the west by the tracks. It’s just east of Downtown Davis and includes much of the original Davisville core area.
- Established as part of the early Davisville in the late 1860s, Old East Davis showcases Davis’s earliest homes—including the 1876 Drummond House and numerous early 20th-century cottages and bungalows.
- Many homes and other structures are situated within a Heritage Conservation District, where careful upgrades and infill developments preserve the historic character while adding density and enhancing the local community.
- There are 300 homes**,** with a median age of 26 years**,** indicating a largely youthful, transient resident base. The owner occupancy rate is 25%, indicating a high renter profile rate at 75%. It is popular among students, young professionals, and visitors to the UC Davis campus due to its proximity to Downtown and the university’s campus.
- The median home sale price reached approximately $1.1 million in late 2024. This area contributes to the increasing median price in Davis.
- Being situated on the other side of the railroad tracks brings the walkability to 89, ranking as Davis’s second-most walkable neighborhood, just after University Ave/Old North.
- The bike access is excellent with easy routes into Downtown and beyond, resulting in a biking score of 100.
- A few bus lines serve this neighborhood.
