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Fountain Hill

Fountain Hill

Suburban Neighborhood in Pennsylvania

Lehigh County 18015

Neighborhood Reviews
4.1
$262,557 Average Value
$166 Average Price per Sq Ft
4 Homes For Sale

Pennsylvania borough flowing with history

Bounded by the unhurried waters of Lechauweki Springs and the rushing Lehigh River, Fountain Hill is a beautiful hilly borough flowing with history. While Fountain Hills is separate from Southside Bethlehem, the two really commingle,” says Randyl Walters, a local Realtor with Keller Williams Realty with over 20 years of experience in the industry. “So, it’s great for those who want to live in a more residential town with a close community but still be close to all the action of the city.” Fountain Hill’s history is seen through the community’s stunning architecture, streets, and buildings named after its founders. Yet the area offers a small town atmosphere within minutes of local shops and boutiques in neighboring Bethlehem.

Festivals and concerts at SteelStacks

Fountain Hill residents are just minutes from all the City of Bethlehem offers. “SteelStacks hosts a lot of the city’s events nowadays,” Walters says. What was once the former Bethlehem Steel plant was turned into an event hall with indoor and outdoor venues, annual festivals and film screenings. “There’s always something going on, but the city shows off around Christmas time,” Walters says. Known as Christmas City, residents go all out around the holidays. Apart from sparkling lights on every street, Christkindlmarkt has been featured multiple times by Travel and Leisure as one of the best holiday markets in the nation. Other festivities include Musikfest, a massive outdoor free event.

Shops and eateries in Bethlehem

While Broadway is primarily residential, it’s also home to many of Fountain Hill’s businesses, such as Dollar General, a local pharmacy and several restaurants. “There are a few restaurants and businesses in Fountain Hill, but people tend to go out in Bethlehem,” Walters says. Vineyard Di Norma has been serving up Italian fare since 1990. Cuquita offers authentic Columbian cuisine and is known for its empanadas, but La Lupita, a small Mexican joint, is one of Walters’ favorites. Ideal Food Basket is the closest food market, but “It’s pretty small, so residents often go to the nearest Giant or Shoprite for groceries,” Walters says. There are even more eateries and boutiques like Paisley Sun, a small eclectic gift shop. When the forecast is sunny, Main Street resembles European cities, with cafe tables scattered along the sidewalks.

19th and 20th century homes

The town’s rich history is apparent when walking past various historic homes and churches with Gothic influences. In the 19th century, many of Bethlehem’s upper class lived in stately colonial and Victorian-style mansions in Fountain Hill. While some have been converted into businesses, others are still residential, with prices reaching the mid $400,000s. Other residential properties range from classic Italianate rowhomes and twin duplexes with steeply gabled roofs that range in price from the mid $100,000s to the mid $300,000s. Cape Cods and ranch houses are also common, with single-family homes typically selling between the low $200,000s to the mid $300,000s. Only a few properties feature driveways and the occasional attached garage, while most residents must park on the street.

Higher education opportunities

The Bethlehem Area School District serves the community. Elementary and middle school students may attend C-plus-rated schools on Niche like Fountain Hill Elementary School and Broughal Middle School. Students finish off their education at the B-rated Liberty High School. Liberty’s claim to fame stems from its non-traditional Grenadier marching band, a tradition that began in 1967 that implements bagpipes for a unique British Army military band format. Lehigh University, which prides itself as one of the country’s top research institutions, is only one mile away. Fountain Hill is also home to St. Luke’s Hospital, rated the second-best teaching hospital by Fortune Magazine. The hospital offers a school of medicine in partnership with Temple University and a nursing school. St. Luke’s is Fountain Hill’s most prominent employer and is known for giving back to the community, including improvements to recreational facilities.

Wooded trails and green spaces

In the heart of town is Fountain Hill Park. Here, it’s common to see kids running around the playground or hear the shouts of cheers from the baseball field during little league games. Other amenities range from basketball and beach volleyball courts to the outdoor community pool. Next door is the Dodson Street Fields for local league’s soccer games. With its proximity to the Lehigh River and wooded areas, Fountain Hill offers many hiking trails. Lehigh Mountain Park awaits with riverside views, yet Broadway and areas bordering the river are prone to flooding. South Mountain Park offers more meandering paths and a disc golf course. Lechauweki Springs is another tranquil park shaded by tall trees with a small gazebo in the middle of the natural spring water.

Commutes around Lehigh Valley

Broadway is the main road through town. Although the South Side Historic District is right next door, the heart of Bethlehem is about 2.5 miles away across the Fahy Bridge. With sidewalks throughout downtown Fountain Hill and Bethlehem, the area is walkable. Public transit options are also available, with bus stops along Broadway and Delaware Avenue. Allentown is only 6 miles away for commuters, while its central location makes it simple to head to New York City, Philadelphia or the Poconos within hours. Lehigh Valley International Airport is a quick drive away along Pennsylvania Highway 378, while other nearby roads include Interstate 78 and U.S. Route 22, also known as the Lehigh Valley Thruway. Various historic churches are located throughout the area, like the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, an Episcopal cathedral listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Lillie Duston
Written By
Lillie Duston
Jay Ratchford
Photography Contributed By
Jay Ratchford
Curtis Newkirk
Video By
Curtis Newkirk

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 Loren Keim, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Lehigh Valley International

13 min drive

Bus

Broadway & Springer

Bus

Broadway & Lynn Wb

Bus

Delaware & Kieffer Sb

Bus

Delaware & Fiot Nb

Bus

Delaware & Hoffert Sb

Bus

Broadway & Dodson Wb

Bus

Broadway & Clewell Sb

Reviews

Niche Reviews
4.1 8 Reviews
3.0 Niche User
4/11/2016 Niche Review
The owners are friendly but hours of operation aren't always convenient.
3.0 Niche User
4/11/2016 Niche Review
If you are an older person just looking to have a nice place that is affordable in a nice, quiet and safe area this is the place for you. However, if you're the type that seeks much entertainment (shows, concerts, etc.) and you don't want to have to travel over an hour to do so, this wouldn't be the place for you.
Are you familiar with the Fountain Hill neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Fountain Hill US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$240,500
Median Single Family Price
$250,000
Median Townhouse Price
$220,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$166
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Last 12 months Home Sales
44
Months of Supply
1.10
Median List Price
$240,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
7%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,258
Median Year Built
1922
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,557
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,346
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,356

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Apr 27
    1 - 3pm

    1138 Moravia St, Fountain Hill, PA 18015

    $314,900

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1,192 Sq Ft
    • 1138 Moravia St

    Beautiful Cape Cod home with plenty of outdoor space to enjoy, including a covered oversized wraparound porch. Features 3 bedrooms with closets, plus an additional bedroom with his-and-hers closets and a small kitchenette. Spacious garage with 2 parking spaces leading to the house. If you're looking for a living space with rental potential, this is a great opportunity—you can live in the main

    Saadia Negron Ortiz D.E. Huber Real Estate

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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 Loren Keim, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
4,738
Median Age
39
Population Density
12 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$46,807
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$64,110

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
85.2%
College Graduates
22.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.8%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
60.8%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
48''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
21''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

24 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

42 / 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

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
Fountain Hill