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Downtown Akron

Downtown Akron

Suburban Neighborhood in Akron, Ohio

Summit County 44304, 44307, 44308, 44311

$108,189 Average Value
$72 Average Price per Sq Ft
9 Homes For Sale

Houses surrounding the University of Akron

With homes comprising only about 5% of Downtown Akron, the neighborhood is defined more by outdoor amenities and commercial buildings than its homes. Even though most of the city’s entertainment is housed within the community, single-family homes with driveways and over 1,000 square feet are the main housing option — not condos or townhouses. “The housing market is pretty robust. It seems like the whole world found out it’s very affordable here,” says Barbara Snyder of Snyder & Snyder Real Estate, a Realtor with 40 years of experience in the Akron market. “Akron grew from the center outward, and we had a rubber boom between 1910 and 1920, so it’s older housing stock downtown.” Most properties center around off-campus housing for the University of Akron, but some folks live in Downtown Akron full-time and embrace its convenience. Surrounded by main thoroughfares and interstates, locals can efficiently venture north to Cleveland or southwest to Columbus.

Residential areas of Downtown Akron are not far from the main city center.
Residential areas of Downtown Akron are not far from the main city center.
Owners take great pride in maintaining their homes in Downtown Akron.
Owners take great pride in maintaining their homes in Downtown Akron.
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Local businesses and a limited nightlife scene

While there are vacant office buildings throughout Downtown Akron, there are shops and restaurants along Main Street and Exchange Street, and the amenities available will likely expand with time. “There’s a lot of development going to try to make downtown a lively place,” Snyder says. Locally owned stores like The District Boutique and Full Grip Games make up most of the retail downtown, though an Aldi is only blocks away from the university campus for grocery needs. When looking to dine out, Spaghetti Warehouse serves Italian food near the Towpath Trail, and Crave offers American cuisine in a cozy setting steps from Lock 3. Nightlife is limited, but Interbelt Nite Club is an old theater turned dancing hot spot in the neighborhood, and Jilly’s Music Room is a live music spot hosting anything from local tribute bands to jazz music.

Akron is home to several locally owned restaurants.
Akron is home to several locally owned restaurants.
The entrance and home of
The entrance and home of "The Black Keys" in Downtown Akron.
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Colonial homes from the 1900s close to Main Street

Mature trees shade front lawns and residential streets. Sidewalks link homes to Exchange Street and Main Street, but the community maintains a quiet atmosphere. Colonial-style homes from the 1900s are most prominent, and most properties have a multi-car driveway. Because the University of Akron is the heart of the neighborhood, nearly 90% of homes are rented; however, there are a few homes for first-time buyers and those looking to stick close to the city’s entertainment hubs. “For a decent starter home, $150,000 is probably a good starting price, but investors are buying cheaper,” Snyder says. Most properties that cost closer to $200,000 have five or more bedrooms and operate as off-campus student housing.

Residents of Downtown Akron enjoy a quiet neighborhood.
Residents of Downtown Akron enjoy a quiet neighborhood.
Two-story homes stand out in Downtown Akron.
Two-story homes stand out in Downtown Akron.
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RubberDucks games right in the neighborhood

While Akron doesn’t have any major league sports, it does have the RubberDucks — and Downtown Akron is home to Canal Park. The stadium is known for having not a bad seat in the house, as the facility only seats about 7,600 fans at a time.

The crowd cheers on the Rubber Duck straight through the 7th inning stretch.
The crowd cheers on the Rubber Duck straight through the 7th inning stretch.
In excitement, fans cheer on the Rubber Ducks in Downtown Akron.
In excitement, fans cheer on the Rubber Ducks in Downtown Akron.
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Life along the Towpath Trail

With the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail running down the neighborhood’s center, locals can explore up to 90 miles from Cleveland to New Philadelphia. “You see a few more bicycles when it gets nice out,” Snyder says. “We have the Towpath Trail, and a lot of people flock to that area to go cycling.” Lock 3 is also a popular green space in Downtown Akron that hosts a summer concert series. For indoor activities, Downtown Akron has several art and event spaces. “We have a nice, old atmospheric theater. It’s one of the only ones left in the whole country, and it looks like you’re outside when you’re inside,” Snyder says. The Akron Civic Theater holds musical performances and concerts throughout the year, but it’s not the only event space in the neighborhood. Akron Art Museum and Summit Artspace also draw crowds for exhibits and the Akron ArtWalk.

The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Downtown Akron is a great place to enjoy fresh air.
The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Downtown Akron is a great place to enjoy fresh air.
Downtown Akron embraces arts through a variety of portraits and paintings.
Downtown Akron embraces arts through a variety of portraits and paintings.
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Easy access to Cleveland via the interstate

While buses serve Downtown Akron, many homeowners choose to drive because of the city's parking-friendly nature. Even during peak travel times, rush hour traffic doesn’t cause too much delay for residents. Ramps to Interstate 76 and Interstate 77 are along the neighborhood’s southeastern edge, and Martin Luther King Boulevard borders Downtown Akron to the west. Locals can reach Cleveland in 40 miles, expanding job opportunities to two cities, and the Akron-Canton Airport is about 15 miles southeast.

Access to Akron Public Schools and higher education

Students can attend Akron Public Schools, starting with Leggett Community Learning Center, which receives a C grade from Niche. From here, students can transition to Jennings Community Learning Center, a C-minus-graded school, and graduate from North High School, which gets a C-plus grade. At North High, graduation rates hover around 79%, and over 60% of teachers hold at least a master’s degree. The University of Akron is also downtown, allowing students to walk to top programs, including those at the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering.

Kids are challenged to excel at Leggett Community Learning Center.
Kids are challenged to excel at Leggett Community Learning Center.
North High School is a quality school located in Chapel Hill.
North High School is a quality school located in Chapel Hill.
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Crime rates above the national average

According to the CAP Index, Downtown Akron receives a crime score of 8, which is higher than the national average of 4. To combat crime, the police department wants to connect to the community with programs and events, like Christmas with a Cop and National Night Out.

Alicia Swain
Written By
Alicia Swain
Kyo Nguyen
Video By
Kyo Nguyen

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to John Scaglione, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Akron-Canton Regional

20 min drive

Bus

S. Broadway St & E. Mill St

Bus

S. Main St & Selle St

Bus

E. Exchange St & Brown St

Bus

S. Main St & Bowery St

Bus

E. Exchange St & Spicer St

Bus

Akron Ohio Metro Transit

Bus

W. Cedar St & Pine St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Akron US
Homicide 7 4
Sexual Assault 7 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 7 4
Burglary 7 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 7 4
Crime Score 7 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$93,000
Median Single Family Price
$89,950
Median Townhouse Price
$106,500
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$163,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$72
Number of Homes for Sale
9
Last 12 months Home Sales
61
Months of Supply
1.80
Median List Price
$104,777
Median Discount From 1st List Price
6%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-1%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,296
Median Year Built
1914
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,312
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,767
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,317
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,791

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to John Scaglione, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
10,782
Median Age
28
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.5%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$22,614
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$30,689

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
85.7%
College Graduates
29.9%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.5%
% Population in Labor Force
56.6%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
12''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

51 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

73 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

59 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Akron