$268,903Average Value$155Average Price per Sq Ft10Homes For Sale
Railroad neighborhood grows into a thriving suburban community
Throughout the 20th century, new suburban communities grew alongside a large railroad hub built about five miles east of Pennsylvania’s state capital at the turn of the century. More than 100 years later, the Rutherford Yard and the neighborhood named for it testify to America’s grit and classic community spirit. “It’s always been a close-knit community,” says local business owner and Rutherford native Steven Wirt, whose father – like many who put roots down in Rutherford – worked on the railroad. Local Realtor Joy Daniels says of the neighborhood: “It’s a clean community with mature, beautiful trees, and it is in the suburbs to the City of Harrisburg, making it convenient to everything.”
Big box retailers and local eateries serving diverse dishes
Paralleling the Rutherford Train Yard and Route 322, Derry Street constitutes the neighborhood’s main commercial thoroughfare. Unassuming shopping centers and office buildings line the road, filled with eateries, shops and local businesses. Establishments like Guras Spice House and Saru Grocery specialize in Indian and Nepalese cuisines and products, and other grocery essentials can be picked up at the Swatara Square shopping center on Paxton Street, with options like Giant, Aldi, Walmart and Sam’s Club. Big box retailers and familiar chain restaurants are found closer to Harrisburg. Closer to home, residents frequent staples like The Pour House on Derry and The Wharf, a bar and grill that has been a neighborhood watering hole since 1976.
Small traditional home styles and larger new construction
Cape Cods, bungalows and midcentury ranch-style houses line the suburban streets here, many featuring sizable backyards and lawns. Daniels notes that homes here tend to be smaller compared to surrounding neighborhoods. Still, newly built contemporary styles in recently developed subdivisions can reach up to 4,000 square feet. Home prices typically range from $130,000 for a small brick Cape Cod to New Traditional homes built in the last few years for $500,000.
Wirt says neighbors maintain close ties and friendly relations: “On my block, some of us share snowblowers,” he says. “People who have little gardens will exchange or give out vegetables and fruits. We all look out for each other.”
Central Dauphin County academics and faith-based options
Central Dauphin School District serves students of Rutherford. Kids may start their education at the centrally located Rutherford Elementary School, which earns a B-minus overall grade from Niche. Exceptional students at the school can earn tokens and redeem books from the school’s book vending machine. Students advance to C-plus-rated Central Dauphin East Middle School before finishing at Central Dauphin East Senior High School, which receives a B-plus overall score from Niche with high marks in college preparation and sports as well.
Just west of the neighborhood, Bishop McDevitt High School offers a private, faith-based education. “One of the biggest reasons to live in one of these communities is the proximity to the Bishop McDevitt Catholic High School,” Daniels says. The highly rated school serves only 600 students and maintains an A-minus Niche grade.
Pocket parks and recreation at Kohl Memorial Park
Pocket neighborhood parks are scattered throughout Rutherford. Wirt says many of these spaces are respected and well cared for, citing recent upgrades to the playground equipment at Earl Long Memorial Park and Rutherford Elementary. Folks engage in basketball games at the nearby Hodges Heights Park, and kids enjoy the playground at Margie McNaughton Memorial Park. In neighboring Lawnton, Kohl Memorial Park features additional playgrounds, sporting fields and trails. The park is also home to Happy Trails Dog Park, where canine companions are free to play among the dog-friendly obstacles.
Diverse events to celebrate a diverse community
Rutherford’s diverse community is celebrated through the many houses of worship that host events for the public. The neighborhood is home to one of Harrisburg’s only Hindu temples, the Shree Laxmi Narayan Temple, as well as a handful of evangelical and Christian churches. The various places of worship host community events such as pasta dinners, paint nights, and seasonal celebrations and festivals. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, a cultural center dedicated to the spiritual traditions of bhakti yoga, is also located in Rutherford and leads weekly programs and morning meditations.
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
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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Rutherford
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Rutherford, Harrisburg sell after 9 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Rutherford, Harrisburg over the last 12 months is $273,931, up 4% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath duplex tucked away in Rutherford, part of Swatara Township. Offering over 1,150 square feet of comfortable living space, this home features plush carpet throughout and a finished lower level that gives you even more room to spread out. You'll appreciate the attached 1-car carport and a large backyard that's perfect for relaxing or entertaining. The location is
Welcome to this beautifully maintained, original-owner split-level gem in the sought-after Rutherford neighborhood. Built in 1960 and thoughtfully updated over the years, this spacious 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom detached home is bursting with charm, comfort, and functionality. The heart of the home is an expansive main level featuring a generous addition that seamlessly blends a sunlit dining area and
Welcome to this well-maintained 2-bedroom, 2-bath home nestled in the peaceful Rutherford neighborhood of Swatara Township. Lovingly cared for by a single family since its construction, this residence exudes warmth and character and is ready for you to make your own. Step inside to discover hardwood floors that grace the kitchen and dining areas, creating an inviting atmosphere. The first floor
Sunpointe Townhomes is the perfect place to come home to. Our brand new, spacious 2 and 3 bedroom townhomes all include 2.5 bathrooms. All of our units have a full size washer and dryer, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances. Appliances include refrigerator, oven, microwave, and dishwasher. Our living areas are very spacious, and all of our units have a balcony, or patio. Our rent
Welcoming 2-bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment. Conveniently located between Hershey and Harrisburg. Less than 1 mile from Route 322, Sam's Club, Aldi's, and Starbucks! When you enter the building, you will feel right at home! This lovely 900 square-foot apartment features many new upgrades, such as, new replacement windows and high-efficiency baseboard heaters, and central air conditioning. These
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
5,590
Median Age
39
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$76,627
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$93,431
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
85.7%
College Graduates
29.3%
Advanced Degrees
6.6%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
72.4%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
20''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
23/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
30/ 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.
