$641,100Average Value$301Average Price per Sq Ft18Homes For Sale
An established residential enclave near University City
One of Philadelphia’s first streetcar suburbs, Spruce Hill is an eclectic neighborhood where a canopy of mature trees hangs over sidewalk-lined streets. “My daughter likes to say that even though you’re in the city, it feels like you’re in the country because it has a lot of trees. Thus the name Spruce Hill,” says Carla Brandoff, a real estate salesperson with Compass and a Spruce Hill resident. “All along my block are beautiful roses, and people have a lot of different types of flowers that you don’t usually see in an urban environment. People grow corn, giant sunflowers and these crazy moon flowers, so it’s a really cool place.” A walk among the neighborhood’s lush greenery will reveal blocks of historic rowhomes – with a family-owned restaurant on almost every corner. Less than a mile west of University City’s prestigious universities and award-winning hospitals, Spruce Hill attracts a diverse community. “West Philly definitely has its own flair,” Brandoff says. “A lot of freak flags flying, as well as professionals, students, professors and everybody else.”
Spruce Hill residents don't have to travel far to get to downtown Philadelphia.
Biking is a popular way to get around among residents in Spruce Hill.
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Victorian-style rowhouses sit on tree-lined streets
Spruce Hill is best known for its Victorian-style homes, which date to the late 19th century and are considered one of the country's largest collections of Victorian architecture. “Many of them have been converted into multi-units, I live in one myself," Brandoff says. "Spruce Hill and the whole University City is very special because the housing stock is large. Elsewhere in the city, 1200 square feet is normal and 1800 square feet is big. In West Philly, you can get a 3000-square-foot house and have four kids in the city." Victorian-style rowhouses and twin homes are adorned with bay windows, leaded glass and intricate woodwork, while Philadelphia-style rowhomes offer spacious front porches. Most properties feature narrow, fenced-in backyards with room for a small patio. While some homes have rear-facing attached garages, street parking is the norm. Prices for rowhouses and twin homes range from around $525,000 to $1 million. The neighborhood is also home to several condo communities, with units selling for about $300,000 to $475,000. Due to its proximity to University City, Spruce Hill is a destination for off-campus student housing developments like Campus Apartments Philadelphia. Many of the neighborhood’s historic estates have been converted into multi-family apartments, and nearly 90% of residents are renters. As student housing companies move into Spruce Hill, the Spruce Hill Community Association has proposed the creation of the Spruce Hill Historic District to protect the neighborhood’s architectural integrity.
Historic row homes in Spruce Hill come with up to three floors of living space.
Gorgeous Victorian style homes are common on the residential streets of Spruce Hill.
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Family-owned restaurants include Abyssinia
Vibrant storefronts dot the corners of Spruce Hill’s tree-lined streets. Green Line Café is a go-to for sustainable coffee and quick bites, while Abyssinia is known for its authentic Ethiopian flavors. Local 44 serves up craft beers and pub grub, with neighbors gathering at its wood-paneled bar long after sunset. Baltimore Avenue runs along the neighborhood’s southern edge and is known as West Philly’s Restaurant Row. The thoroughfare hosts local favorites like Clarkville, specializing in fresh pies topped with everything from pepperoni to tofu ricotta. For Groceries, Walnut Street bisects the neighborhood and features Supremo Food Market and specialty stores like Makkah Market.
Knockbox Cafe in Spruce Hill serves up breakfast sandwiches and baked goods in a cozy setting.
Abyssinia in Spruce Hill has authentic Ethiopian cuisine and has a full bar for cold drinks.
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Award-winning academics at the Penn Alexander School
Most students in Spruce Hill begin their education at the Penn Alexander School, which earns a B-plus from Niche and serves kindergarten through eighth grade. Operating in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, the school has won two National Blue Ribbon School awards for its academic excellence and progress in closing achievement gaps between students. Students outside the Penn Alexander catchment may attend the C-minus-rated Henry C. Lea School, which received $4.1 million in funding from UPenn in 2022. With the neighborhood split between multiple catchments, home prices can vary.“If you buy in the Lea catchment, you can probably spend 20% less than if you buy in the Penn Alexander catchment,” Brandoff says. “Lea also has the free universal Pre-K that’s part of the Philly system, and Penn Alexander does not.” Teens can attend the C-minus-rated West Philadelphia High School and have the option to apply to UPenn’s Young Scholars High School Program, which offers tuition-free enrollment in one college-level course per semester. Nearby private school options include West Catholic Preparatory High School, which earns a B-plus from Niche. The neighborhood is home to Walnut Hill College, known for its culinary arts and hospitality degree programs. Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania are less than a mile east in University City.
Penn Alexander School has 579 students in grades K-8.
West Philadelphia High School is located at 4901 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139.
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Walking paths, sports courts and events at Clark Park:
Residents are less than half a mile north of Clark Park. A collection of over 300 trees envelops the green space, shading paved paths that attract walkers, runners and bikers year-round. Basketball courts and a playground sit alongside an open grassy field known as the Clark Park Bowl. “This past winter what was actually really awesome was when there was a snow day,” Brandoff says. “The park has this bowl that most people walk their dogs in during the summer, and it turned into literally like 400 kids and adults just sledding. The whole place was mobbed.” The green space is also home to the beloved Dickens and Little Nell sculpture, one of the few known sculptures of English author Charles Dickens. In addition to its outdoor amenities, Clark Park features a packed schedule of events. Festivities range from the weekly Clark Park Farmers Market to summertime movie screenings and live performances from the Shakespeare in Clark Park theatre company. The Walnut Street West Library hosts various programs for all ages, and The Rotunda is a vibrant arts and culture venue hosting over 300 events a year.
Friends gather for lunch at the picnic tables that are scattered throughout Clark Park.
Tire out the tykes on the playground in Clark Park.
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Neighborhood festivities include the Halloween Tot Parade
Beyond movies and theatrical performances at Clark Park, neighbors gather for annual events hosted by the Spruce Hill Community Association. The May Fair features a family-friendly day of fun in Clark Park, complete with live music, food trucks and a petting zoo. In October, the Halloween Tot Parade marches through Spruce Hill and ends with a block-party-style get-together where residents share cider and baked goods.
The L provides service to Center City
While Spruce Hill is known for its walkability, residents can also navigate the neighborhood on two wheels. Cyclists have access to miles of bike lanes, and Indego – the city’s official bike-share program – has several stations in the neighborhood. Public transportation is abundant, with SEPTA providing local bus and trolley service to the community. 40th Street Station is served by the Market Frankford Line, locally known as the L. Residents can hop on the rapid transit line and reach Center City in about 10 minutes. The city center is also just a 3-mile drive east across the Schuylkill River. Interstate 76 is less than 2 miles east of Spruce Hill, and the thoroughfare leads south to Philadelphia International Airport – less than a 10-mile drive away.
Hop on the subway at 40th St Station to get around the city from Spruce Hill.
Get around Philadelphia from Spruce Hill on Septa busses.
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Proximity to world-class hospitals in University City
University City is less than a mile west of Spruce Hill and is home to four award-winning hospitals: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The hospitals employ a combined total of over 36,000 people, and HUP is consistently ranked as one of the best hospitals in the county.
Spruce Hill is walking distance to one of the top medical facilities in the nation.
Fruit stands sit on the corner of the University of Pennsylvania in Spruce Hill.
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
Madalyn Eleby,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Clark Park
Basketball
Trails
Playground
Kaskey Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Botanical Gardens
Saunders Park
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Trails
Vidas Athletic Complex
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Soccer
Max Paul Park
Walnut Hill Community Playground
Transit
Airport
Philadelphia International
19 min drive
Subway
Chester Ave & 45Th St
Subway
Baltimore Avenue And 44Th Street
Subway
Baltimore Avenue And 45Th Street
Subway
Woodland Avenue And 43Rd Street
Bus
Walnut St & 45th St
Bus
Walnut St & 46th St
Bus
42nd St & Walnut St
Bus
Chestnut St & 41st St
Bus
42nd St & Spruce St
Bus
Walnut St & 42nd St
Bus
Chestnut St & 45th St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Spruce Hill
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Spruce Hill, Philadelphia sell after 71 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Spruce Hill, Philadelphia over the last 12 months is $668,626, up 15% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Get ready to fall in love with 4518 Walnut Street, a dazzling Victorian Style twin home that’s brimming with original character, charm, and 4-ZONE HVAC! Built in 1925, this spacious gem boasts 8 inviting bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, and a convenient half bath, making it the perfect opportunity to own a slice of history in the coveted Penn Alexander School District—just steps away from all of the
Victorian details galore will greet you at this almost-3000 s.f. semi-detached home in the Spruce Hill section of West Philly’s University City – plus, it’s in the catchment area for the high-performing Penn Alexander K-8 public school.* The home’s well-maintained exterior includes original columns and railings on the open porch, fish scale shingles on the side bays, and a 4-color paint scheme –
2 bedroom 2 full bathroom luxury Apartment built in 2017 with a modern amenity living experience including a modern, amenity rich kitchen, sleek European style baths, in-unit laundry, central air conditioning, well-lit open floor plan and more. The unit features 2 lovely bedrooms each with its own adjacent bathroom. The Unit is on the 4th floor, spacious, sunny and clean. The building features an
Pristine 4 bedroom, 2 bath twin home with lovely front porch and oversized rear yard on one of University City’s prettiest blocks—in the Penn Alexander School Catchment. Also, a finished Lower Level!South-facing with high ceilings, wood floors, and superb light on three exposures. This renovated, right-sized home is perfect for the buyer looking for a spacious feel without needing the
6 bedroom, 4 full bath home in the Penn Alexander Catchment. A recent full renovation, this property is set up as a single family home though with an extra bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. Zoned for multi-units, it is a perfect investment property for rental to one group/roommates or a spacious single family home. Beautiful character, high ceilings, and hardwood floors. Finished lower
Fairfax Apartments, located at 4247 Locust Street in Philadelphia, PA 19104, offers a unique blend of modern convenience and classic charm, making it an ideal place to call home. This 10-story high-rise features a variety of floor plans, ranging from cozy studios to spacious two-bedroom units, with rents starting at $1,225 and going up to $2,795 per month. Each unit is thoughtfully designed with
Fairfax Apartments, located at 4247 Locust Street in Philadelphia, PA 19104, offers a unique blend of modern convenience and classic charm, making it an ideal place to call home. This 10-story high-rise features a variety of floor plans, ranging from cozy studios to spacious two-bedroom units, with rents starting at $1,225 and going up to $2,795 per month. Each unit is thoughtfully designed with
Fairfax Apartments, located at 4247 Locust Street in Philadelphia, PA 19104, offers a unique blend of modern convenience and classic charm, making it an ideal place to call home. This 10-story high-rise features a variety of floor plans, ranging from cozy studios to spacious two-bedroom units, with rents starting at $1,225 and going up to $2,795 per month. Each unit is thoughtfully designed with
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Madalyn Eleby,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
10,456
Median Age
31
Population Density
37 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
6.4%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$49,068
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$75,851
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.3%
College Graduates
68.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
45.3%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
78.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
93/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
95/ 100
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
86/ 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.
