Upper Bern offers country living near the Appalachian foothills
When asked to describe Upper Bern Township, Realtor Dave Mattes starts with two words: “Really rural.” Farmland, campgrounds and the petite Shartlesville community fill the township’s lower two-thirds, while the northern section consists of public hunting land and the Blue Mountain Range. “It’s for somebody who wants privacy, mountainside views, bucolic farms, woods, fields — the whole nine,” says Dave Mattes, a team leader with RE/MAX of Reading, who’s been selling homes in the area since 1995. Interstate 78 runs straight through the area and offers a quick trip to several retail giants just a few miles east. Amazon also operates a fulfillment center just off the freeway, providing job opportunities. “If you’re looking for country living yet want access to good amenities and services, it’s a nice place to live,” says Mattes.
The closest city to Upper Bern is Reading, about 20 miles southeast.
Pass many beautiful farms on a drive through the country in Upper Bern.
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Outdoor opportunities around Shartlesville
Pennsylvania State Game Land No. 110 is a stretch of public parkland with hunting, fishing and mountaintop sights along the 2,000-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Green Acres Golf Course in the township’s southwest corner has offered an 18-hole course since 1965. And Shartlesville Community Park features three baseball and softball diamonds, a playground, a picnic pavilion and a bandstand just south of I-78.
State Game Lands offer a safe area for local hunters to try their luck.
Upper Bern hunters enjoy the easy access to State Game Lands 110.
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Ranch-style homes starting at $350,000
Upper Bern Township has fewer than 600 homes, with many on generous plots of land. “You’re going to have mostly one-plus-acre lots,” says Mattes. These properties feature homes from the mid-1800s onward, though most were built since the mid-1900s. Manufactured homes typically sell for $75,000 to $150,000. Older National-style houses and bungalows in the town of Shartlesville usually go for $200,000 to $400,000. More spread-out, newer houses include ranch-style, split-level and colonials that tend to sell for $350,000 to $550,000. The market in the township is highly competitive, with homes usually selling just two weeks after listing. The CAP Index gives Upper Bern a crime score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Ranch style homes sit on large acre lots in Upper Bern.
Colonial style homes along Main Street in Upper Bern sell in the $250,000 range.
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Specialty courses at Hamburg Area High
Students may start at Tilden Elementary Center, which has a C-plus from Niche, before going to Hamburg Area Middle, which gets a C. Hamburg Area High earns a B-minus and offers career-related studies through specialty and dual enrollment courses.
Hamburg Area High School welcomes all students from the area to it's diverse student body.
A picturesque view of Hamburg's local school, where knowledge blooms and futures take root.
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Commuting into Allentown and Harrisburg
Upper Bern Township's rural layout makes the area car dependent. From the I-78 on-ramp in Shartlesville, commuters can travel 33 miles east to Allentown, while Harrisburg is 45 miles west. Geisinger St. Luke's, the closest hospital, is 9 miles north. Reading Regional Airport is 12 miles south.
I-78 travels right through Upper Bern and offers an easy route to the surrounding areas.
Upper Bern locals use Interstate 78 to access nearby towns.
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Blue Mountain Family Restaurant is a local staple
A few independent eateries and shops operate around Shartlesville, including Blue Mountain Family Restaurant, which has been serving hearty American meals since 1990. Down the street, Kramer’s Korner is a convenience store with grocery items that also serves breakfast sandwiches, subs and burgers. Residents can also take I-78 6 miles east to Walmart Supercenter, Cabela’s, Lowe’s Home Improvement and a slew of chain restaurants.
One of the few local eateries in Upper Bern is Blue Mountain Family Restaurant.
Kramer's Korner in Shartlesville is one of only a few local places to shop in Upper Bern.
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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Parks in this Area
Blue Marsh Lake Park
Tilden Park
Shartlesville Community Park
Centerport Borough Recreation Area
Strausstown Lions Club Park
Jefferson Park
State Game Lands 110
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Upper Bern
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Upper Bern, Shartlesville sell after 79 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Upper Bern, Shartlesville over the last 12 months is $262,642, down 8% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Property Id: 8500052 Bedroom 1 Bathroom Apartment in Shartlesville. Includes WASHER/DRYER. Estimated availabililty 06/15/25. $1300/month. Additional $25/month for a pet fee ( cats only) . Rent Includes water and sewer. Tenant is responsible for all other utilities such as trash, electric, and propane. Heat source is electric baseboards and propane heater . Apartment includes the 1st
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Michael Rossi,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,581
Median Age
49
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
19.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
26.4%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$85,670
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$113,771
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.3%
College Graduates
17.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.4%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
63.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
3''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
23/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 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.
