Real estate listings describing Sharswood sound like they’re hyperventilating: Booming! Prime location! Investor alert! But they do capture the essence of what’s happening in a neighborhood that has survived decades of neglect and poverty. The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) kick-started Sharswood’s revival, opening a new headquarters on the Ridge Avenue commercial corridor and pouring a half-billion dollars into a transformative multi-phase project that will include all-new homes and businesses. Homebuyers and investors are snapping up the remaining properties, lured by rapid growth in neighboring Brewerytown. “It’s in transition,” says Herman Arce, President of the Brewerytown Sharswood Community Civic Association. “They are doing a lot of new development. People are moving back because of its convenience, and it’s being revitalized.”
Sharswood
Urban Core Neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia County 19121
Neighborhood Reviews
New townhomes have rooftop terraces
Twentieth-century rowhomes – many of them newly renovated – jostle for attention west of N 24th Street near Brewerytown. These single-family dwellings range in price from $128,000 to $250,000. Brand-new townhomes are increasingly common and can sell for up to $379,000. With sleek contemporary designs, these newcomers add a modern touch to the neighborhood’s aesthetic. Some have rooftop terraces with views of the Center City skyline. New multi-unit townhomes, touted as investment properties, sell for about $650,000. Most properties in the neighborhood open onto a stoop that drops a few steps to the sidewalk.
Catch the trolley to West Philly
SEPTA city buses travel across Philadelphia and surrounding counties, and there are several bus stops scattered across Sharswood. The trolley stops near Girard College and runs to West Philadelphia and further east to Port Richmond. Booming Brewerytown is a short walk from much of Sharswood, and the hustle and bustle of Center City is just a mile away.
Girard College sends 95% of its graduates to college
Girl Scouts and chess club are two of the many after-school activities offered at Robert Morris, an elementary and middle school with a C- rating on Niche.com. Vaux High School is a Philadelphia Big Picture School, which means the school assigns a one-on-one advisor to each student. Vaux earns a D+ on Niche. Girard College is a private, five-day boarding school that awards full scholarships to all students in grades one through 12. The school, which scores a B+ on Niche, has a landscaped 43-acre campus.
Grocery Outlet and Aldi bring fresh groceries to shoppers
The neighborhood’s decades-long status as a grocery store “desert” changed in 2022 with the opening of a Grocery Outlet at 21st Street and Ridge Avenue. This outpost of the California-based grocery chain, which sells meats, produce and dairy products, is considered a key component in the neighborhood's rebirth. There is also an ALDI grocery further west. ERA on Poplar Street is a dive bar serving several dozen beers, but it's best known for its delicious Ethiopian fare. Other neighborhood options include take-out joints for hoagies, pizza and Chinese food.
Boxing and double-dutch jump roping
Residents can vent their frustrations inside the boxing gym at the Martin Luther King Rec Center, which has an extensive boxing program. The rec center also has a gymnasium and a computing center. Basketball courts, a playground and a swimming pool are found outside. Employees work hard to keep neighborhood kids active and safe at this neighborhood hub. Girls can learn double-dutch jump roping during the Philly Girls Jump Program at the nearby Athletic Recreation Center, which also has a boxing gym. The center also hosts youth baseball teams.
Celebrate Dizzy at Jazzin’ Up the Ridge
Sharswood was a hotbed for jazz in the 1940s and ‘50s, and jazz greats like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie played at local clubs. Jazzin’ Up the Ridge performances celebrate this musical legacy annually when parts of Ridge Avenue in neighboring Francisville shut down the last weekends of June through October. Locals gather for live music, food and local vendors. “Jazzing up the Ridge is about bringing the community together,” says Arce, “It’s about fellowship. Everyone has a good time.”
Written By
Amy Balfour
Photography Contributed By
Rich Walker
Video By
Michael Voyack
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Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Maria Quattrone
Maria Quattrone
RE/MAX @ HOME
(855) 933-5214
496 Total Sales
1 in Sharswood
$510,000 Price
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Kurt Marhefka
Kurt Marhefka
Responds QuicklyBHHS Fox & Roach-Doylestown
(856) 409-6914
76 Total Sales
1 in Sharswood
$202,000 Price
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Derek Donatelli
Derek Donatelli
Responds QuicklyEXP Realty, LLC
(484) 978-9683
350 Total Sales
1 in Sharswood
$400,000 Price
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Michael Stillwell
Michael Stillwell
Responds QuicklyJBMP Group
(267) 380-2614
224 Total Sales
1 in Sharswood
$243,000 Price
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Noelle Carter
Noelle Carter
Responds QuicklyReal of Pennsylvania
(267) 376-7146
51 Total Sales
1 in Sharswood
$404,000 Price
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Sam Akif
Sam Akif
Responds QuicklyKW Empower
(877) 606-2762
119 Total Sales
1 in Sharswood
$140,000 Price
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 , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Eastern State Playpen
- Trails
- Playground
- Events
Martin Luther King Recreation
Ogden Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Events
Athletic Square Park
Transit
Reviews
Niche Reviews
1/15/2016
Niche Review
I live near Temple's campus so it's always something exciting around the neighborhood. But my only problem is the middle schools around the neighborhood are closing so it's a little sad to children not in school on school days.
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Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Sharswood | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 9 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 6 | 4 |
| Robbery | 8 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 6 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Sharswood, Philadelphia sell after 72 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Sharswood, Philadelphia over the last 12 months is $241,094, down 1% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$235,000
Median Single Family Price
$487,000
Median Townhouse Price
$235,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$279,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$207
Number of Homes for Sale
9
Last 12 months Home Sales
19
Months of Supply
5.70
Median List Price
$247,450
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
0%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
313
Median Year Built
1925
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,579
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,107
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,007
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
871
Open Houses
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Sunday, Apr 2712 - 2pm
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Sunday, Apr 2712 - 1:30pm
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Saturday, Apr 2612 - 2pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
-
-
$1,162 - $1,932 per month
- Girard Court Apartments
- 1-2 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 725+ Sq Ft
- 2101 N College Ave
- Philadelphia, PA
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,721
Median Age
35
Population Density
23 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$33,384
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$53,452
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
77.7%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
24.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.6%
% Population in Labor Force
66.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
13''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
73
/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
61
/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
69
/ 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
Fairmount
This neighborhood is a model for a walkable, artful urban lifestyle
Spring Garden
Urban residential community known for its community gardens close to Center City
Yorktown
Midcentury rowhomes minutes from Temple University and Center City
Brewerytown
Urban community with converted lofts and popular eateries near East Fairmount Park
Poplar
Largely residential neighborhood in the heart of downtown Philadelphia
North Philadelphia West
Row home community located 3 miles from Center City
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