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1st Ward

1st Ward

Neighborhood in Allentown, Pennsylvania

Lehigh County 18101, 18102, 18103

$170,825 Average Value
$134 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

The oldest neighborhood in Allentown

The oldest neighborhood in Allentown, the 1st Ward, dates to 1852 and is situated on the Lehigh River. Once a booming district with many factories along the water, many industrial sites were vacated by the beginning of the 21st century. While other neighborhoods throughout Allentown have seen growth and new developments, the 1st Ward has not. The recently released 1st and 6th Ward Neighborhood Plan calls for new commercial and residential developments along the waterfront. the neighborhood also has existing benefits to its location for all current and future residents. “It has easy access by foot or bus to many of the nearby amenities, says Dana Cardona, a Realtor with Keller Williams and Lehigh Valley resident who has been selling the market for nearly a decade. “It is just a convenient area, especially for individuals who don’t have access to a vehicle.”

Duplexes and townhomes in Allentown’s tightly packed streets

Tight city streets are packed with parked cars and lined by well-maintained sidewalks shaded by scattered trees. Spaced tightly together are brick and stone row homes and duplexes that vary in color, some even donning beautifully painted murals. Prices range from $125,000 to $199,000. “We see a lot of first-time homebuyers and investors look here. The market still has extremely low inventory. Because of that, homes move quickly if priced appropriately,” Cardona says.

Here is a row of Colonial style homes in 1st Ward in Allentown, PA.
Here is a row of Colonial style homes in 1st Ward in Allentown, PA.
Traditional Row Homes in 1st Ward in Allentown, PA are common sights throughout the area.
Traditional Row Homes in 1st Ward in Allentown, PA are common sights throughout the area.
1st Ward Traditional Townhomes in Allentown, PA offers street parking as the best option.
1st Ward Traditional Townhomes in Allentown, PA offers street parking as the best option.
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Bus Terminal in 1st Ward of Allentown, PA is in constant use during the weekdays.
Bus Terminal in 1st Ward of Allentown, PA is in constant use during the weekdays.

LANta bus line allows for car-free travel

For residents without access to a car, the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANta) provides public transit across the Lehigh Valley. The 1st Ward is along multiple routes throughout the city, and stops are scattered across the ward, including at West Gordon and 2nd Streets.

Harrison Morton Middle School is an option for student residents of 1st Ward in Allentown, PA.
Harrison Morton Middle School is an option for student residents of 1st Ward in Allentown, PA.

Education for every future career at Dieruff High School

Children are zoned into the Allentown School District, which scores a C-minus on Niche and serves more than 16,000 students, making it the fourth-largest district in Pennsylvania. 1st Ward students might attend Mosser or Sheridan Elementary School, Harrison-Morton Middle and Louis E. Dieruff High School. The elementary and middle schools each earn a C-minus from Niche, while the high school scores a C-plus. Dieruff allows students to pick from five pathways to achieve success, including the collegiate high school experience, trade school, apprenticeships, independent studies, and the ASD virtual academy.

Shopping at the American Plaza or dining by the Lehigh River

The American Plaza on American Parkway features a collection of small shops, cultural markets, and multiple restaurants, including Sarandonga Latin Bistro, Wun Wu Garden, a Chinese restaurant and a Dunkin Donuts. Another local favorite is the Riverside Restaurant and Lounge, which features outdoor seating and has a Mediterranean restaurant.

1st Ward in Allentown, PA has delicious Mediterranean food at their local Riverside restaurant.
1st Ward in Allentown, PA has delicious Mediterranean food at their local Riverside restaurant.
Riverside Market has shopping items readily available in the 1st Ward of Allentown, PA.
Riverside Market has shopping items readily available in the 1st Ward of Allentown, PA.
Linden Street Market is a neighborhood staple around 1st Ward in Allentown, PA.
Linden Street Market is a neighborhood staple around 1st Ward in Allentown, PA.
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Bucky Boyle Park has playgrounds and youth sports

On the banks of the Lehigh River, Bucky Boyle Park provides multiple recreation areas for nearby residents. The park has playgrounds and a splash pad to help beat the summer heat, and two hard-surfaced basketball courts and bare-infield baseball fields. The park is home to the Allentown A’s, a youth football organization in the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Football League.

Hockey games and music festivals at the PPL Center

The PPL Center on Hamilton Street is an 8,500-seat arena less than a mile from the 1st Ward. The venue is home to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League and brings many other events like concerts to the city. Being in the Lehigh Valley puts residents close to annual events like music festivals in Bethlehem, the Kutztown Fair and more.

The 1st and 6th Ward Neighborhood Plan

In spring 2022, the city announced the 1st and 6th Ward neighborhood plan to revitalize the two wards. The city will seek to build more housing, foster small business growth, and improve after-school programs. These conclusions resulted from a year's worth of meetings and surveys with essential stakeholders of both wards, including residents of all ages.

Sarah Rainey
Written By
Sarah Rainey
Danny Lambert
Photography Contributed By
Danny Lambert
Everett Hall-McNeill
Video By
Everett Hall-McNeill

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 Rebecca Miklas, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Lehigh Valley International

9 min drive

Bus

Allentown (E), Pa

Bus

Hamilton & American Parkway Wb

Bus

American & Linden

Bus

Hamilton & 2nd Eb

Bus

Hamilton & 2nd Wb

Bus

Hamilton & American Parkway Eb

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime 1st Ward US
Homicide 8 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 8 4
Robbery 8 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 7 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 7 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$181,500
Median Single Family Price
$117,500
Median Townhouse Price
$186,250
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$134
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Last 12 months Home Sales
14
Months of Supply
0.90
Median List Price
$184,950
Median Discount From 1st List Price
3%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
17%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
441
Median Year Built
1890
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,512
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,548
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,742

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 Rebecca Miklas, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
2,738
Median Age
31
Population Density
11 ppl/acre
Population under 18
33.1%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
8.8%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$28,930
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$42,728

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
75.5%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
8.1%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
1.1%
% Population in Labor Force
67.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
45''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
8''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

56 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

72 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

41 / 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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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
1st Ward
Rebecca Miklas
Miklas Realty
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