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Downtown Harrisburg

Downtown Harrisburg

Neighborhood in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Dauphin County 17101, 17102, 17104, 17120

$218,482 Average Value
$142 Average Price per Sq Ft
4 Homes For Sale

A lively neighborhood in the capital of Pennsylvania

Home to Pennsylvania’s state capital and the heart of the city of Harrisburg, Downtown Harrisburg is a busy spot, day and night. “It’s bustling and alive,” says real estate agent Tonya Lucas of RE/MAX, pointing towards the arts, dining and entertainment that draws in folks after the lawmakers have retreated for the day. While it’s not a major city, it offers plenty to do within arm’s reach, often without the need to even hop in a vehicle thanks to centralized businesses and adequate public transport. Residential options are fairly limited due to the nature of it being focused on business and entertainment, but values can be found, and numerous apartments are available. While Downtown may be filled with lawmakers during the day, the neighborhood is also dealing with lawlessness, with a crime score of 10 from the CAP Index, the highest crime rating.

Home to the state capital, Downtown Harrisburg is the heart of the city.
Home to the state capital, Downtown Harrisburg is the heart of the city.
Aerial of bustling Downtown Harrisburg.
Aerial of bustling Downtown Harrisburg.
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Eating and drinking all along Second Street

North Second Street is a vast strip of shopping and dining running through the neighborhood. Residents and lawmakers might kick off their day with a coffee from Little Amp’s Café, one of Central Pennsylvania’s top roasters known for creative seasonal lattes. Lunch is taken care of with a mouth-watering burger or chicken sandwich from Burger Yum, or for those with alternative diets, The Vegetable Hunter focuses on vegan fare while offering up small-batch beers. Late nights in Downtown Harrisburg often involve crawling up and down Second Street, checking out watering holes like the Bourbon Street Saloon and McGrath’s Pub, while JB Lovedraft’s MicroPub offers up their own beers as well as select other craft beers and local distilleries in a punk and metal themed bar. Strawberry Square Shopping Mall is a multi-use complex with a number of lunch-time dining spots, while light retail and entertainment is scattered around the intersection of Third and Market, including the Whitaker Center and Colonial Theatre. Just north of the neighborhood, Broad Street Market brings local producers together, while for groceries and big box retail residents have to head out of the neighborhood to Giant or the Harrisburg Mall.

JB LoveDrafts is one of the many bars and restaurants on Second Street in Downtown Harrisburg.
JB LoveDrafts is one of the many bars and restaurants on Second Street in Downtown Harrisburg.
Strawberry Square is a mixed-use retail and commercial complex located in Downtown Harrisburg.
Strawberry Square is a mixed-use retail and commercial complex located in Downtown Harrisburg.
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Plenty of options for getting around Downtown

Not only is downtown Harrisburg highly walkable and bikeable thanks to side streets and a full grid of sidewalks, it also has great public transportation options as well. Amtrak runs numerous trains through the region daily, while Capital Area Transit has bus stops across the neighborhood. Nearby Interstate 83 offers convenient access to other major routes, as well as the capital region. UPMC Harrisburg, with 24-hour emergency service, is located within the neighborhood; Harrisburg International Airport, with regional commercial service, is located 10 miles outside of Downtown Harrisburg.

The Harrisburg Amtrak station connects to major cities like Philadelphia and New York.
The Harrisburg Amtrak station connects to major cities like Philadelphia and New York.
Buses are the preferred method of getting around in Downtown Harrisburg.
Buses are the preferred method of getting around in Downtown Harrisburg.
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The jewels of the Harrisburg park system

Multiple parks are spread across Downtown Harrisburg, with the highlight being Riverfront Park. Unsurprisingly, it offers great river views as it runs the full length of the neighborhood along the river, and it’s a very popular spot to hike or bike the Capital Greenbelt or enjoy a picnic with a view. Residents can walk or drive to City Island, featuring the Skyline Sports Complex, City Island Beach where residents can lie out on a concrete ‘beach,’ walking trails and FNB Field, the home of the Double-A Harrisburg Senators.

Riverfront Park is a popular draw for all kinds of activities in Downtown Harrisburg.
Riverfront Park is a popular draw for all kinds of activities in Downtown Harrisburg.
The cherry blossoms that adorn City Island in Downtown Harrisburg are picture worthy.
The cherry blossoms that adorn City Island in Downtown Harrisburg are picture worthy.
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Unique festivals highlight the annual events

Downtown Harrisburg is the host for many of the events that define Harrisburg and the region. Perhaps the biggest annual event, The Kipona Festival is a three-day celebration held every Labor Day weekend on City Island. Celebrating the cultures that have blended together in the Susquehanna Valley, events include a multicultural celebration, tightrope walkers over the Susquehanna, food trucks and of course, fireworks to top it all off. The Ice & Fire Festival in March features dozens of ice sculptures throughout the city, along with fire dancers, an ice slide, fire pits and much more up and down the riverfront.

Attached housing is pretty much all there is Downtown

While residential options in the heart of the capital are limited, it’s not reducing the popularity of Downtown Harrisburg. “A lot of people are moving there from big cities like Philadelphia and New York because even though it’s smaller, it still has a city vibe and it’s cheaper,” says Lucas. Most of the homes in Downtown Harrisburg are condos or row homes, and date back to the early 20th century, featuring Federal-influenced design. Most condos either have rented or permit parking, while many row homes require parking on the street. Homes generally fall between $175,000 and $275,000, and usually sell a week or two faster than the national average, making moving quickly on a unit a must.

The LUX condominium is located across the street from the capital in Downtown Harrisburg.
The LUX condominium is located across the street from the capital in Downtown Harrisburg.
Many row homes in Downtown Harrisburg require parking on the street, though that is plentiful.
Many row homes in Downtown Harrisburg require parking on the street, though that is plentiful.
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Magnet school and private school options for local students

Benjamin Franklin School, with kindergarten through fourth grade, is rated C-minus by Niche, as is Rowland Academy, which is home to grades five through eight. Harrisburg High School, known for an extensive athletics program that includes high level football and basketball programs, also gets a C-minus. Students can take advantage of the Harrisburg magnet school program to attend the Cougar Academy or the Harrisburg High School SciTech Campus that focus on a STEM education. The diocese of Harrisburg offers Catholic schools that finish up at Bishop McDevitt, a school that has won 11 District 3 football championships in the 2000s, as well as one state championship.

Downtown Harrisburg students start their education at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School.
Downtown Harrisburg students start their education at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School.
Harrisburg High School has an extensive athletics program and serves Downtown Harrisburg.
Harrisburg High School has an extensive athletics program and serves Downtown Harrisburg.
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Under the view of Commonwealth

Pennsylvania’s State Capitol looms over the neighborhood, a daunting presence with its signature gleaming dome and the Commonwealth statue that can be seen from blocks away. The full complex takes up 45 acres and features a number of monuments as well as green spaces featuring benches and walking paths. The complex, as well as other government buildings and white-collar employers, make Downtown Harrisburg an extremely busy area during the workday.

The dome of the capital building dominates Downtown Harrisburg  and is always bustling.
The dome of the capital building dominates Downtown Harrisburg and is always bustling.
The steps of the capital building in Downtown Harrisburg are a perfect gathering spot.
The steps of the capital building in Downtown Harrisburg are a perfect gathering spot.
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Andrew Tyson
Written By
Andrew Tyson
Justin Schmidt
Photography Contributed By
Justin Schmidt
Benjamin Rose
Video By
Benjamin Rose

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 Ysmaine Domiciano, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Harrisburg International

18 min drive

Bus

S 3rd St & Chestnut St

Bus

N 3rd St & Walnut St

Bus

N 3rd St & South St

Bus

S 2nd St & Chestnut St

Bus

Market Square Transfer Center

Bus

N 7th St & North St

Bus

Walnut St Opp. 4th St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Harrisburg US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 9 4
Assault with Weapon 7 4
Robbery 9 4
Burglary 10 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 10 4
Larceny 10 4
Crime Score 9 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$216,500
Median Single Family Price
$226,500
Median Townhouse Price
$439,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$179,950
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$142
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Last 12 months Home Sales
16
Months of Supply
3.00
Median List Price
$226,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
12%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
296
Median Year Built
1900
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,773
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
3,270
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,000
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
691
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,306

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 Ysmaine Domiciano, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
4,066
Median Age
36
Population Density
14 ppl/acre
Population under 18
14.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$45,923
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$56,891

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
89.9%
College Graduates
32.8%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.2%
% Population in Labor Force
72.4%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
25°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
14''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

64 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

93 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

51 / 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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Reviews

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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 Harrisburg
Ysmaine Domiciano
NextHome Dream Seekers Realty
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