$96,881Average Value$70Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Where Italian roots and community spirit run deep
The Erie neighborhood of Little Italy was first settled by Italian immigrants in 1864. While the community has become a melting pot over the years, the neighborhood’s Italian heritage is well preserved in its restaurants, community events and Catholic organizations. “My great-grandparents lived on 18th and Cascade, and they owned a deli in the neighborhood,” recalls Jake Scheloske, a 14-year veteran Realtor and vice president of sales for Agresti Real Estate. “St. Paul’s Catholic Church still puts on the Italian Festival every year, and the Nuova Aurora Society, an Italian private social club, is just down the street.”
In recent years, many properties were bought by investors who turned them into rentals. “Most buyers in Little Italy are still investors,” Scheloske says. The neighborhood's northern edge along West 12th Street is primarily manufacturing and commercial. Together, these influences have resulted in a fair amount of urban blight.
Organizations like the Erie County Redevelopment Authority and the Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network are working to change this trend. ECRDA has purchased the former Erie Malleable Iron factory site on West 12th Street and plans to turn it into a mixed-use facility for local businesses. On the local level, the SSJ Neighborhood Network is a grassroots organization run by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania. “The Sisters plant gardens throughout the neighborhood, and they have a fresh food market on 18th Street,” says Melinda Colao Koeth, a Realtor with Howard Hanna Erie Airport who grew up in the neighborhood and serves on the Nuova Aurora Society board. “Safety is a big concern of people here, but we stick together and watch out for each other. It’s still a close-knit community. We love where we grew up.”
There are a variety of homes in Little Italy.
Little Italy is just off the south shore of Lake Erie.
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From Italian bakeries to live music and nightlife
Little Italy’s Italian heritage is never more evident than in its bakeries. The Majestic Baking Co. on Walnut Street has been crafting artisan bread and pinwheel pastries in its large brick oven since 1915. International Bakery on West 18th has served the community for nearly as long with its signature pepperoni bread, desserts, cookies and other Italian specialties. Larry’s Central Market on Sassafras Street is a disappearing breed. Residents can pick up homemade sausage, capicola and grocery items at this small corner market. Little Italy today is also a culinary melting pot, with restaurants like Shawarma King, which cooks up traditional Middle Eastern food, and Benny’s Panini, a new Puerto Rican restaurant on West 26th that serves paella, fried chicken and paninis on soft, chewy Puerto Rican bread. At night, the neighborhood comes alive at hot spots like Rathskeller Café, which hosts live bands every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and Philly on the Rocks, a bar and grill that features underground art and music. The Warner Theatre, a few blocks north on State Street, is an elegant performing arts center with an Art Deco interior that opened in 1931. The theater hosts over 150 annual events, including symphonies, ballets and Broadway shows.
Larry's Central market is a popular shop in Little Italy.
Benny's Panini is a hidden gem in Little Italy.
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Music, food and drink at events like the St. Paul’s Italian Festival
The annual St. Paul’s Italian Festival takes place in August at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church on Walnut Street. The event includes a spaghetti-eating contest, traditional Italian dancers and plenty of Italian food. People stand in lines that stretch for a block to get their pasta e fagioli dinner.
La Nuova Aurora Society of Erie across the street (“nuovo aurora” means “new day” in Italian) also hosts events throughout the year that benefit the community. In September 2024, it hosted a Celebrity Bartending Fundraiser that supported the Sisters of St. Joseph. The event featured live music, games of chance and opportunities to network. “We have a restaurant and banquets here,” Colao Koeth says. “It’s a very social place, especially with the bocce ball leagues. Members take their bocce very seriously.”
The SSJ Neighborhood Network, founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph, advocates for neighborhood revitalization through beautification efforts, increasing safety, youth programs, community gardens and the Little Italy Farmers Market. The market is held on Monday afternoons from June to September and often includes music and children’s activities.
Meet new residents at Little Italy Farmers Market.
St. Paul Catholic Church is in Little Italy.
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Lower-cost homes ripe for renovation and investment
Most homes in Little Italy are colonial-style houses that sell for $30,000 to $150,000. Built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these homes often feature large dining rooms, fenced-in yards and off-street parking. “While prices have soared across the country, you can still get a lot for your money in Little Italy,” Colao Koeth says. Craftsman-style bungalows with large front porches and original hardwood trim and floors list from $85,000 to $135,000. Historic homes from the 1800s with Italianate details can cost as much as $360,000 or as little as $60,000, depending on their condition and size. “It’s a part of the city that hasn’t been maintained well,” Scheloske says, “which is why investors are attracted to it.” Nearly half of the homes in the neighborhood are multifamily properties priced from $35,000 to $145,000, some designed as duplexes and others converted to two or more units. “Most are historic charmers,” Scheloske says. “So any improvement buyers make can benefit the neighborhood.”
This home is nestled in Little Italy.
This home with a shed dormer can be found in Little Italy.
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Little Italy green spaces and sports stadiums
Small city parks dot the neighborhood, including Columbus Park, which is a favorite because residents can walk or bike there to enjoy its basketball courts, skate park and playground. Washington Park offers an entire city block of green space with walkways, shade trees and a central gazebo where bands are known to play in the summer. Ainsworth Field, a 3,000-seat baseball stadium that formerly hosted Erie minor league baseball teams, has seen its share of big-league stars, from baseball legend Babe Ruth to comedian Bill Murray. The Erie City School District plans to renovate the stadium and use it for its baseball teams and community functions. A few blocks north, UPMC Park is home to the Erie SeaWolves, the city’s professional baseball team, and Erie Insurance Arena is right next to it, home to the Erie Otters, who are part of the Ontario Hockey League.
Ainsworth Field is a 3,000 seat baseball stadium located in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Go for a walk on the paved paths in Washington Park.
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Public transportation, highways and community resources in Erie
Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority buses travel through Little Italy on West 18th, 26th and other streets. At Union Station on 14th Street, travelers can hop on an Amtrak train to Boston, New York or Chicago. Built in 1927, the station was the first in the United States to be designed in the Art Deco style. The three-story structure occupies two city blocks and houses other businesses, such as the Brewerie at Union Station, Erie’s first local brewpub and restaurant, and Habibi, a stylish Mediterranean restaurant. The closest airport is Erie International, 6 miles west on Route 5.
Route 5/West 12th Street and Route 20/West 26th Street border the neighborhood. Both connect to Interstate 79, less than 2 miles west. I-79 runs to Pittsburgh, 125 miles south. Interstate 90 is 4 miles south of the neighborhood and connects to Buffalo, 95 miles east, and Cleveland, 100 miles west.
Saint Vincent Hospital on West 25th Street offers several institutes for specialized care, including emergency medicine, cancer treatment and cardiovascular care.
Little Italy has an extensive bus service.
Interstae-90 is just 4 miles from Little Italy.
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Investments in public and private schools
The schools serving Little Italy are part of the Erie City School District, which receives a C-plus from Niche. Perry Elementary, a C-rated school, encourages students to help others through community service and food collection activities. At Strong Vincent Middle, which also earns a C, honors students often go on to attend Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy, an A-plus public high school nearby that’s one of the top secondary schools in the country. In 2024, Erie High, another C school, invested $6 million to upgrade its football stadium to a multisport facility. Just north of the neighborhood, Cathedral Preparatory School, a private Catholic high school that scores an A-minus, built its new football stadium and indoor athletics facility on West 12th Street. Gannon University, too, is only a few blocks north of Cathedral. The Catholic university is in the heart of downtown, within walking distance of restaurants, shopping and entertainment.
Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy is a public school.
GreatSchools:
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View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tom Jones Group,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Washington Park
Columbus Park
Ainsworth Field
Transit
Airport
Erie International/Tom Ridge Field
11 min drive
Bus
Liberty St & W 19th St
Bus
W 18th St & Myrtle St
Bus
State St & W 24th St
Bus
Liberty St & W 24th St
Bus
W 18th St & Raspberry St
Bus
Raspberry St & W 23rd St
Bus
Raspberry St & W 20th St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Little Italy
US
Homicide
7
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
8
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Little Italy, Erie sell after 33 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Little Italy, Erie over the last 12 months is $104,456, up 8% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Investor Special! 2-Unit Multifamily – Sold As-Is. This 2 unit is in the middle of a remodel and needs to be finished. Off street parking is a bonus. Don’t miss this great investment opportunity, offering strong rental income potential. Whether you're an investor or an owner-occupant looking to offset your mortgage, this property is a valuable addition to any portfolio.
Welcome to this well-maintained full-occupancy duplex, perfect for investors. Each unit boasts its own hot water tank, electric box, and furnace. Equipped with PEX plumbing. Both units have separate on site laundry hook ups. off-street parking.
Don’t miss this incredible investment opportunity! This hip and stylish triplex features three 2-bedroom, 1-bath units, perfectly designed for short-term rental success. Centrally located in a high-demand area, it attracts guests year-round with its modern aesthetic and unbeatable convenience. Each unit is thoughtfully designed with chic interiors, updated amenities, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tom Jones Group,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
7,327
Median Age
37
Population under 18
27%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$31,363
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$42,175
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
85.5%
College Graduates
14.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.6%
% Population in Labor Force
52.3%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
29''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
52/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
66/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
38/ 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.
