The principal thoroughfare of West Baltimore’s Upton neighborhood is Pennsylvania Avenue, once a thriving epicenter of commerce compared to Harlem, New York’s Lenox Avenue. One of Baltimore’s earliest African American middle-class communities, Upton was home to many influential figures like T. Willis Lansey, the first black Baltimore City Councilman; Violet Hill White, a community activist and Baltimore's first black female police officer; and Thurgood Marshall who grew up and attended school here before becoming a Supreme Court justice. Today, Upton maintains much of its historic spirit, while facing modern-day challenges and working towards revitalization. It’s home to a subway stop, some of West Baltimore’s best recreation centers, and is served by an active community coalition looking to improve access to essential resources and set the groundwork for full-bodied success in local families.
Historic Upton rowhomes
Homes in Upton vary from historic row houses in Queen Anne and Italianate styles, to more modern builds like the Upton Gateway community, a new development of brick rowhomes. With many homes here built in the early 1900s, most feature charming old-world details like decorative ironwork, bowed fronts, original wood double doors and conical roof towers. The average listing cost is $110,000 with price points ranging from as low as $20,000 for abandoned properties to $400,000 for multifamily homes.
Many homes in Upton were built in the early 1900's and feature charming architectural details.
Historic rowhomes with ornate architectural details are common in Upton, Baltimore, Maryland.
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Dining along Pennsylvania Avenue
Upton residents enjoy the area’s walkability and convenience to local amenities like the Save A Lot grocery store and Walgreens drug store on McMechen Street, or the Dollar General on Pennsylvania Avenue. For fresh produce and good eats, they visit vendors at the historic Avenue Market (formerly the Lafayette Market) established in 1871, or order from one of the many casual eateries located along Pennsylvania Avenue.
The Land of Kush is a popular choice for vegan soul food in Upton, Baltimore.
The Avenue Market is a historic marketplace built in 1871 in Upton, Baltimore.
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Events with the No Boundaries Coalition
No Boundaries Coalition—committed to “deconstructing boundaries and reconstructing community” in central West Baltimore—hosts a wide range of events and programs for Upton residents. The 12-week Block Captains Boot Camp Program builds leadership and community activism skills in young adults, while Fresh at the Avenue and Fresh Fridays offer opportunities to purchase fresh produce at a reasonable price, as well as culinary training. No Boundaries hosts Election Fairs to bring people straight to the polls, and even free Yoga in the Park.
Schools at each grade level in Upton
Students here attend Baltimore City Public Schools like Historic Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary School, which earns a C-minus from Niche. Booker T. Washington Middle School also earns a C-minus, along with Renaissance Academy. Serving over 245 students in grades nine through twelve, this high school option offers both college preparatory course and Career and Technology Education (CTE) pathways, with a focus on law, government and justice studies. Upton is also close to highly-regarded institutions like The University of Baltimore and Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).
Historic Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary School is a public school serving grades PK-5.
Renaissance Academy is a public high school serving students from 9th through the 12th grade.
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Family recreation and Upton monuments
The Shake & Bake Family Fun Center hosts activities like bowling, arcade games and roller-skating for the whole family, while Robert C. Marshall Recreation Center offers group basketball at all age levels, as well as events like Father & Son Basketball. History buffs can spend an afternoon scouting out the area’s iconic landmarks, like the Billie Holiday statue on Pennsylvania Avenue. Built to honor the singer’s famous Baltimore roots, this statue sits across from another monument honoring the Royal Theater and the many jazz clubs that lined its streets during previous decades. Along Madison Avenue, the Douglas Memorial Community has stunned onlookers with its Greek revival style architecture and towering columns since 1857.
Located in Upton Shake & Bake Family Fun Center is a family favorite for a night out.
Wilson and Etting Park is a public park with a basketball court for locals to enjoy in Upton.
The Billy Holiday Plaza is located in Upton and is a stop on the Baltimore Heritage Trail.
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Commuting from Upton
Locals can walk to Upton Station, their namesake Metro stop. CityLink bus stops run along Pennsylvania Avenue, and Routes 5 and 21 run near the neighborhood. Baltimore’s Penn Station sits just over 1 mile away, while major highways like Interstate 83 and Maryland route 295 take residents a little under 11 miles to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. UMMC Midtown Campus and Mercy Medical Center are also about a mile from Upton in case of an emergency.
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.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Stephen Nichols,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
St Mary's Park
Trails
Events
Multi-Purpose Field
Mosher Street Park
Events
Botanical Gardens
F. Scott Fitzgerald Park
Events
Botanical Gardens
Robert C. Marshall Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Football
Greater Model Park
Trails
Playground
Perkins Spring Square Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Multi-Purpose Field
Wilson and Etting Park
Transit
Airport
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall
19 min drive
Subway
Upton
Bus
Pennsylvania Ave & Presstman St Sb
Bus
Pennsylvania Ave & Mosher St Nb
Bus
Pennsylvania Ave & Mosher St Sb
Bus
Lafayette Ave & Myrtle Ave Fs Wb
Bus
Pennsylvania Ave& Laurens St Nb
Bus
Lafayette Ave & Myrtle Ave Eb
Bus
Dolphin St & Pennsylvania Ave Fs Eb
Reviews
Niche Reviews
3.65 Reviews
5.0Current Resident
12/31/2021Niche Review
Great neighborhood for young professionals looking for places to live. It is safe, I can walk at night. The city is working on a Master Plan for Upton and you can see improvements every day. It is within a 20-minute walk from pretty much everything, including downtown. The only thing is that people need to do a better job at keeping our streets clean, some trash here and there, but besides that -- it is awesome and close to everything.
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Upton
US
Homicide
10
4
Sexual Assault
7
4
Assault with Weapon
8
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Upton, Baltimore sell after 76 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Upton, Baltimore over the last 12 months is $175,832, up 13% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Modern elegance meets historic Baltimore in this spacious and thoughtfully updated stand-alone 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhome, ideally situated in the culturally rich Upton Historic District - just minutes from Bolton Hill, Mount Vernon, MICA, Penn Station, and only 10 minutes from the Inner Harbor. Find yourself immersed within the tree-lined streets once walked by Thurgood Marshall and other
Welcome to 1311 Druid Hill Ave, a fully rented 4-unit multi-family property in the heart of historic Baltimore—perfect for the savvy investor looking for reliable cash flow from day one. Say goodbye to vacancy worries and renovation stress—each unit is already occupied with dependable tenants, offering immediate income and a strong return on investment. This property is ideally located
Stunningly Renovated Townhome in Vibrant Baltimore Neighborhood!Welcome to 530 Laurens St, a beautifully remodeled 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom townhouse in the heart of Baltimore. This move-in-ready home seamlessly blends modern luxury with timeless charm. The open-concept living area boasts sleek recessed LED lighting, built-in shelving, electric fireplace, and elegant finishes. A gourmet
Now available for rent: 555 Presstman Street, a fully renovated 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath rowhome offering modern comfort and style in the heart of Baltimore. This beautifully updated home features central A/C and heating, brand-new appliances, luxury vinyl plank flooring, and a bright open layout. The kitchen is equipped with quartz countertops, double wall ovens, and timeless shaker-style cabinetry,
Welcome to Upton Courts, your gateway to comfort and convenience in the heart of Baltimore. Situated at 1506 Pennsylvania Ave, our community offers spacious floor plans prioritizing value and practicality. Enjoy easy access to local attractions, dining, and entertainment within a vibrant neighborhood setting.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Stephen Nichols,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
4,492
Median Age
36
Population Density
29 ppl/acre
Population under 18
29.9%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$21,932
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$35,339
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
82.7%
College Graduates
9.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5%
% Population in Labor Force
51.2%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
30°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
16''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
61/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
86/ 100
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
89/ 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.
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.
