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Anacostia

Anacostia

Neighborhood in Washington, District of Columbia

District of Columbia 20020

$419,028 Average Value
$264 Average Price per Sq Ft
26 Homes For Sale

Just east of the Anacostia River

Named after the Anacostia River, this historic southeast Washington, D.C. neighborhood is home to everything from abolitionist Fredrick Douglass’ final residence (Cedar Hill) to a mid-century styled 19.5-foot-tall chair to newly planned construction projects like the 11th Street Bridge Park. “It’s an area undergoing a lot of robust change,” says Thomas Miller, a Realtor with Keller Williams Capital Properties who lives in the D.C. area. “It’s attracting people because the economic activity is projected to pick up. Someday, it will be a bustling downtown with better connections to the western side of the river,” Miller adds, alluding to the planned construction. Both historic and modern-style homes are common in Anacostia, with many having recently undergone renovations. “People are getting priced out of homes west of the river. But here, houses can go for a third or even half the cost,” Miller says. Locals in this community enjoy spending time at Anacostia Park, which offers riverfront amenities like a roller-skating rink and a historic golf course, or browsing the area’s small corner convenience store markets that dot this neighborhood’s streets. Popular go-to spots here include Kitchen Savages, known for its soul-food entrees, or Busboys and Poets, a restaurant and bookstore that also serves as a gathering place for poetry slams and activist groups. Residents of Anacostia live in a community with a rich African American history and plenty of outdoor spaces, and those who live here appreciate their neighborhood’s easy access to public transit options like the Metro, as many commute to and from the surrounding D.C. areas on a daily basis.

Cedar Hill, Anacostia Community Museum and the Big Chair

Perhaps the most remarkable property in Anacostia is Cedar Hill, the final home of Frederick Douglass, a man who escaped slavery and became a leader in the abolitionist movement. An expansive property, Cedar Hill overlooks the city and includes vast swaths of land, rolling hillsides and the mansion where the writer, reformer and statesman once lived. Visitors can tour the property to learn about Douglass’ life and work. Less than a mile away, the Anacostia Community Museum, which falls under the Smithsonian Institution umbrella, offers temporary rotating exhibits about life and culture east of the river, informing visitors about the economic, social and environmental issues impacting the area. The museum also regularly hosts community events like “Coffee and Collections,” which allows visitors to get a closer look at artifacts from current exhibitions. Adding to Anacostia’s arts scene is this neighborhood’s 19.5-foot-tall chair. Originally constructed as an advertisement for Bassett Furniture, this oversized sculpture overlooks the intersection at Martin Luther King Avenue and V. Street S.E.

The Anacostia Community Museum offers free entry to residents and visitors.
The Anacostia Community Museum offers free entry to residents and visitors.
The iconic big chair sits in the center of Anacostia's downtown area.
The iconic big chair sits in the center of Anacostia's downtown area.
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Anacostia’s historic and diverse housing market

Anacostia’s housing options range in style and age from historic 19th-century Italianate designs to modern townhouses and condo offerings. Featuring a diverse breadth of architectural styles, this neighborhood boasts old-world charm within a contemporary setting. Historic properties line the streets and range from Italianate and Queen Anne designs to red brick colonials and brightly colored Federals. Many include small front porches and well-maintained small yards, with the average property sitting on 3000 square feet. As is common in most major cities, condo buildings are also popular here. The median sales price in Anacostia is $425,000, but properties can range from the low $100,000s for a 1-bedroom condo to upwards of $800,000 for a larger 2400-square-foot home. Residents here utilize street parking, and sidewalks provide walking paths lined with mature trees.

Colorful and unique townhomes line the streets in Anacostia.
Colorful and unique townhomes line the streets in Anacostia.
Anacostia also has plenty of apartment complexes for residents to choose from.
Anacostia also has plenty of apartment complexes for residents to choose from.
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Historic Parks: Anacostia Park and Fort Stanton Park

For some time outside, locals can head to the over 1200-acre Anacostia Park, where they’ll find plenty of things to do. Home to the National Park Service’s only roller-skating rink, this park encourages visitors to lace up their skates and race their friends. Fishing enthusiasts can try to catch sunfish in the Anacostia River, and cyclists can head to the Anacostia Bike Trail, which runs along the river. Miller says, “Unlike the very popular Mount Vernon and Capital Crescent trails, the Anacostia Trail is just as beautiful, but a fraction of the people ride it, so there’s much less traffic.” The park takes full bloom in the spring during the Anacostia River Festival. This event tacks onto the National Cherry Blossom Festival and features music, food and fellowship. Southeast of Anacostia Park is Fort Stanton Park, where ruins from the Union Army forts can still be found. Today, the park also features a reservoir, recreation center and urban farm. Visitors can walk the Fort Circle Hiker-Biker Trail that winds through towering tulip trees, even going past the Anacostia Community Museum and entering Ward 7. The park also hosts the MLK Garden, where the neighborhood’s children can learn about gardening by planting, harvesting and even cooking what they grow.

Anacostia Park is a popular place for pet owners to walk their dogs.
Anacostia Park is a popular place for pet owners to walk their dogs.
Anacostia residents have access to a convenient boat launch offering easy access to the river.
Anacostia residents have access to a convenient boat launch offering easy access to the river.
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Anacostia under construction

While Anacostia is one of the District of Columbia's oldest neighborhoods, its evolution continues into the present with some fairly large construction projects. The 11th Street Bridge Park, for example, will connect the Washington Navy Yard to Anacostia Park and is scheduled to be completed as early as 2026. It will be D.C.’s first elevated park, and Miller says, “East of the river has traditionally been very isolated, and the city is trying to connect the two parts through this bridge.” Urban planners have implemented measures against displacement and have planned for outdoor performance spaces, an education center, urban agriculture and playgrounds, too. The city is also working on efforts to make the Anacostia River swimmable again. The Anacostia River Pool Initiative hopes to create a permanent pool in the river.

Small corner markets, local restaurants and the Anacostia Arts Center

Anacostia doesn’t offer any big-box grocery retailers, but this neighborhood does have many convenient corner markets like DC Market and Nam’s Market, where residents can pick up quick snacks and drinks on-the-go. The FRESHFARM market, which runs from April to November at the Anacostia Community Museum, was just recently established in and is another spot offering residents' easy access to local produce. Those wanting to grab a bite can head to Kitchen Savages, a fine-dining soul-food establishment ranked by the Washington City Paper as the best new restaurant of 2023, or plan to stop by Busboys and Poets’ Anacostia location, a popular spot among artists and activists. Considered a one-stop shop for continued arts and culture enrichment, residents can swing by on the first Saturday of every month for karaoke nights or check their events calendar for scheduled poetry slams. Nearby, the Anacostia Arts Center is home to many Black-owned businesses like MahogonyBooks and Elife, a vegan restaurant serving comforting soul food. For those wanting to grab a drink with friends, plan to head across the Fredrick Douglass Memorial Bridge to Navy Yard to enjoy establishments like Bluejacket, a former industrial space turned brewery.

Busboys and Poets has a great selection of food and a fun atmosphere for Anacostia residents.
Busboys and Poets has a great selection of food and a fun atmosphere for Anacostia residents.
MahoganyBooks is a local bookstore in the Anacostia Arts Center.
MahoganyBooks is a local bookstore in the Anacostia Arts Center.
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District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)

Students who reside in Anacostia can enroll in the D.C. Public Schools, or DCPS system, which serves over 48,000 youth and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. Students can attend schools like Ketcham Elementary, Kramer Middle and Anacostia High, all three of which received ratings of C-minus or higher from Niche. Anacostia High School is known for its AP course offerings and career-specific education pathways in fields like civil and environmental engineering and architecture. Anacostia High also features a public leadership academy and partners with nearby organizations like Anacostia Park and the Department of Energy and Environment. Private school options, like Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys and Washington School for Girls, are also available.

Ketcham Elementary School serves students in Anacostia and the surrounding areas.
Ketcham Elementary School serves students in Anacostia and the surrounding areas.
Many students in the Anacostia neighborhood attend the nearby Anacostia High School.
Many students in the Anacostia neighborhood attend the nearby Anacostia High School.
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Public transportation and commutes

Some D.C. residents own cars, and they can use the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, which also features pedestrian and bicycle paths, for journeys to the other side of the river. While others rely heavily on public transportation options, like the Metro or the WMATA bus system, for getting around. Offering quicker and less traffic-laden commutes, residents appreciate their proximity to the Anacostia Metro Station and the area’s many Metrobus stops. For healthcare and emergency needs, The Cedar Hill Medical Center is just a 6-minute ride via bus line A2 from the Southern Avenue Station. Or for commutes into downtown, residents can hop on the Green Line and be at L’Enfant Plaza or Gallery Place Station within 15 minutes. For those who prefer to drive, Interstate 695 and the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway is the most common route. Or for longer commutes, the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, or DCA, is just 6 miles away and offers flights to many domestic locations. Anacostia residents can choose to drive or take the Metro’s Green or Yellow Lines to get to DCA.

Mya White
Written By
Mya White
Jack Adams
Photography Contributed By
Jack Adams
Remi Cox
Video By
Remi Cox

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 Wahid Khugyani, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl

13 min drive

Bus

W St SE & 16th St SE

Bus

Erie St SE & 18th St SE

Bus

Good Hope Rd SE & 13th St SE

Bus

M L King Jr Ave SE & W St SE

Bus

Morris Rd SE & High St SE

Bus

W St SE & 13th St SE

Bus

W St SE & 14th St SE

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Anacostia US
Homicide 10 4
Sexual Assault 7 4
Assault with Weapon 8 4
Robbery 9 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$400,000
Median Single Family Price
$499,700
Median Townhouse Price
$459,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$235,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$77,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$264
Number of Homes for Sale
26
Last 12 months Home Sales
33
Months of Supply
9.50
Median List Price
$417,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-12%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
718
Median Year Built
1928
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,651
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,341
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
783
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
629
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,049

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Apr 27
    1 - 3pm

    1518 W St SE, Washington, DC 20020

    $499,900

    • 2 Beds
    • 1.5 Baths
    • 1,714 Sq Ft
    • 1518 W St SE

    New price! Open Sunday 4/27 from 1 to 3 pm. Own a perfectly restored piece of DC history in the heart of the vibrant and ever-evolving Anacostia neighborhood. This historic 1890 home has been brought back to life by the L’Enfant Trust with a $500,000 renovation using tasteful and stylistic finishes designed to preserve the original character of the home. 1518 W Street SE is a single-family,

    Mandy Hursen RLAH @properties

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  • 1486 Bangor St SE, Washington, DC 20020

    $445,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1,433 Sq Ft
    • 1486 Bangor St SE

    Charming 4-Bedroom Townhouse in the Heart of AnacostiaWelcome to 1486 Bangor Street SE, a beautifully renovated interior-unit townhouse offering 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and private alley parking for two cars—with the potential to convert into a garage. Ideally situated just minutes from Capitol Hill, SW Waterfront, Nationals Park, Anacostia Park, the Washington Navy Yard, and an array of shopping,

    Christopher Rhodes Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

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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 Wahid Khugyani, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
5,213
Median Age
35
Population Density
12 ppl/acre
Population under 18
31.7%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.4%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$31,000
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$62,464

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
85.2%
College Graduates
23.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
9.1%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
31°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
13''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

43 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

73 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit Score®

78 / 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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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
Anacostia
Wahid Khugyani
K Realty
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