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Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant

Urban Core Neighborhood in Washington, District of Columbia

District of Columbia 20009, 20010

Neighborhood Reviews
4.6
$1,070,823 Average Value
$621 Average Price per Sq Ft
24 Homes For Sale

A historic neighborhood with vibrant energy

Mount Pleasant is a lively, eclectic neighborhood with a distinct and unique culture of inclusion. Originally a streetcar suburb in the early 1900s, it’s defined today by historic architecture, local businesses and a shared community spirit. “It’s a very dynamic neighborhood,” says Rick Morrison, a real estate agent with the Sky Group at Long & Foster, who says that having Rock Creek Park to the north and the National Zoo to the west is an advantage. “That hard boundary isolates the area, which helps to keep the through traffic out.” The accessibility of public transit also plays a role in controlling traffic, with the Columbia Heights Metro station less than a mile from the neighborhood center and bus stops along Park Road and Mount Pleasant Street. Residents can also head south on 16th street and reach the White House within 15 minutes. Crime is less of a challenge in this neighborhood than others in the greater D.C. area – Mount Pleasant has a CAP score of 5, compared to the national average of 4.

The historic gateway in Mount Pleasant serves as a landmark entry to this bustling neighborhood.
The historic gateway in Mount Pleasant serves as a landmark entry to this bustling neighborhood.
Historic Mt. Pleasant St was once traversed by a street car.
Historic Mt. Pleasant St was once traversed by a street car.
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Shifting demographics and the duality of inclusivity

The history of Mount Pleasant is fraught, tracking the country’s attempts to grapple with some of the biggest challenges regarding race, discrimination and economic instability. The neighborhood was formed around a 73-acre estate initially owned by former U.S. Treasurer William Selden before he was forced to sell it and return to Virginia as a Confederate sympathizer during the Civil War. Most of the land was later sold in parcels, and by the time it became a stop along the streetcar route established in the 1870s, it had transformed into a suburban neighborhood. The development continued into the 1920s, when homebuyers were bound by restrictive covenants forbidding them to sell their homes to African Americans. Such covenants were struck down in 1948, and by 1990, African Americans made up 36 percent of the population, while Latinos made up 26 percent. In recent years, however, the neighborhood has undergone another dramatic demographic shift as housing prices have increased, as lamented by longtime resident Fred O’Regan. “That dualism really is an issue,” he says. “It’s supply and demand, so housing prices have increased, which makes it hard to maintain a healthy diversity.” However, the neighborhood still maintains its cultural roots through its unassuming eateries and neighborhood events that celebrate the spirit of inclusivity. “We want it to be a better place for everybody. It’s a very accepting place to live – you can be old, young, gay, straight, Black, white and you’re welcome,” says O’Regan, who also serves as vice president of the neighborhood volunteer organization Mount Pleasant Village.

Local businesses define the community

The main artery of 16th street is lined by apartment buildings, but the heart of the neighborhood is Mount Pleasant Street. Covered patios with outdoor dining spaces beckon passers-by walking the brick sidewalks to stop in for Thai, Filipino, Salvadorian or Mediterranean food. Residents can go bargain-hunting at the Frugalista thrift store or find their next rainy-day reads at Bold Fork Books before picking up a bottle of wine at Irving Wine and Spirits. Or, if they prefer having their drinks poured for them, they can head to Raven Grill, a self-proclaimed gritty D.C. dive bar known for its jukebox. Purple Patch dishes out Filipino food like lumpia and adobo, while Don Juan, the neighborhood pupuseria, is a local staple for tacos, quesadillas and nachos. For date nights and special occasions, Ellé combines a nighttime four-course tasting dinner menu with a daytime pastry shop maintained as a nod to the historic Heller’s Bakery, which once occupied the space. More nightlife options are a short walk away in Adams Morgan. Mount Pleasant residents can do their grocery shopping at BestWorld Market, loved by the locals for their selection of hard-to-find spices.

Marx Cafe in Mount Pleasant is a cool dinner spot with outdoor seating and revolutionary vibes.
Marx Cafe in Mount Pleasant is a cool dinner spot with outdoor seating and revolutionary vibes.
Mount Pleasant residents can train at Fit 360 DC right on Mt. Pleasant St NW.
Mount Pleasant residents can train at Fit 360 DC right on Mt. Pleasant St NW.
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Mingle at the market

The community comes together on Saturdays at the Mount Pleasant Farmers’ Market, where residents can shop for everything from freshly baked bread to artisan kimchi year-round and rain or shine. Live music creates a festive environment while families browse the various stands and snack on sandwiches and creative flavors of ice cream. During the spring and summer, street festivals are a regular occurrence. “There’s face-painting for kids, people set out food and drinks in front of their houses and there’s a lot of mingling,” O’Regan says. Residents can stop at Suns Cinema to catch an indie flick with a movie-themed cocktail in hand, or take the kids to the Smithsonian Zoo and its more than 2,200 animals. Access to Rock Creek Park’s trails from cul-de-sacs offers residents the option of spending the afternoon hiking.

Shady streets, eye-catching architecture

Mature trees line the side streets in front of big homes, creating a sequestered atmosphere in Mount Pleasant. “You have these really large, Victorian-era rowhomes,” Morrison says. Among the Victorian homes sit several early 20th-century Federal row houses. The structures reflect the pride that residents take in their neighborhood, as the historic facades are well-preserved and tended to. Architectural details like front porch columns, dormer windows and decorative molding add interest to the exteriors, capturing the upscale-yet-quirky attitude of the neighborhood. Housing prices in Mount Pleasant reflect the desirability of the neighborhood. One- and two-bedroom condos may sell for between $500,000 and $600,000, while three-bedroom row houses range from $800,000 to more than $1 million.

An Italianate row home next to a brick condo complex on Kenyon St NW in Mount Pleasant.
An Italianate row home next to a brick condo complex on Kenyon St NW in Mount Pleasant.
A stunning Italianate row home with exquisite colors on Irving St NW in Mount Pleasant.
A stunning Italianate row home with exquisite colors on Irving St NW in Mount Pleasant.
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Highly rated schools with robust community involvement

The District of Columbia Public Schools serving the Mount Pleasant neighborhood are among the best in the district. Students begin their education at Bancroft Elementary, which follows a dual-language curriculum in Spanish and English and has a B-plus rating from Niche. O’Regan says that one of the most successful neighborhood initiatives has been a street closure program, where locals partnered with the city to close off the roads in front of the Bancroft school during the morning and afternoons so that kids can get home safely. From there, they may attend Alice Deal Middle School, which houses the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program and maintains an A grade. Jackson-Reed High School, ranked as the No. 5 best public high school in Washington, D.C., also has an A rating.

Bancroft Elementary in Mount Pleasant features English-Spanish immersion classes.
Bancroft Elementary in Mount Pleasant features English-Spanish immersion classes.
Jackson Reed High School is one of the top rated schools in DC.
Jackson Reed High School is one of the top rated schools in DC.
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Caitlin Coakley
Written By
Caitlin Coakley

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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 Karen Szala, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl

15 min drive

Bus

Irving St NW & Hobart St NW

Bus

Harvard St NW & Adams Mill Rd NW

Bus

Park Rd NW & 18th St NW

Bus

Irving St NW & 16th St NW

Bus

Adams Mill Rd NW & Walbridge Pl NW

Bus

Mt Pleasant St NW & Kenyon St NW

Bus

Mt Pleasant St NW & Lamont St NW

Reviews

Niche Reviews
4.6 14 Reviews
4.0 Current Resident
4/24/2024 Niche Review
As a life long Mount Pleasant resident I can say this; while the neighborhood has avoided racial gentrification, it has not avoided class gentrification. While new restaurants open, they are far more expensive than those they replace.
5.0 Niche User
2/28/2015 Niche Review
Buses pass by frequently and there is more than one way to get somewhere!
5.0 Former Resident
4/13/2017 Niche Review
There is always something new to discover in Mount Pleasant in terms of people and the food. Restaurants of all cultures are lined up next to each other, so you'll have new food to try out literally everyday.
4.0 Niche User
2/28/2015 Niche Review
Area is safe. Police patrol frequently.
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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Mount Pleasant US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 8 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$1,200,000
Median Single Family Price
$1,799,900
Median Townhouse Price
$1,377,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$699,950
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$379,900
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$621
Number of Homes for Sale
24
Last 12 months Home Sales
55
Months of Supply
5.20
Median List Price
$981,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
20%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,569
Median Year Built
1918
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,775
Significantly above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,058
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,120
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
675
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,920

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1 - 3pm

    1865 Park Rd NW Unit 1, Washington, DC 20010

    $1,195,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 5 Baths
    • 2,300 Sq Ft
    • 1865 Park Rd NW
    • Unit 1
    • New 23 hours ago

    Perched above the trees in Historic Mount Pleasant, welcome to this beautifully finished 3 bed, 3 bath, and 2 half-bath condo with parking that truly lives like a house. Tucked up off the street with a covered front porch, the chic, like-new interior spans an estimated 2,300 sq. ft. and features beautiful hardwood floors, 9-foot ceilings, and tons of storage space. Upon entering, the primary

    Megan Conway Compass

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    2 - 4pm

    3221 Walbridge Place NW, Washington, DC 20010

    $1,295,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 4 Baths
    • 2,322 Sq Ft
    • 3221 Walbridge Place NW
    • New 23 hours ago

    Welcome to 3221 Walbridge Pl NW, a beautiful 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom townhouse with garage parking and solar panels located in the heart of Mount Pleasant. Tucked away on a tree-lined street, this character-filled home welcomes you in with beautiful millwork and a classic interior. Decorative arches, hardwood floors, and detailed moldings carry throughout this charming home. Enter from the covered

    Megan Conway Compass

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    2 - 4pm

    2021 Klingle Rd NW, Washington, DC 20010

    $1,435,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 2,088 Sq Ft
    • 2021 Klingle Rd NW
    • New 1 day ago

    This 1877 historic treasure is one of the few single family homes in Mount Pleasant. Architect Victor O Mindeleff designed the home for Dr. Cecil French, a veterinarian and naturalist, and it is known around Mount Pleasant as "the zookeeper's house". Atop a hill overlooking Rock Creek Park and just uphill from the National Zoo - this amazing detached "cottage" has been gloriously reimagined.

    Judy Cranford Cranford & Associates

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Condo Buildings

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Karen Szala, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
9,312
Median Age
37
Population Density
42 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.2%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$102,245
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$133,919

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
84%
College Graduates
66.9%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
44.9%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
85.6%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

88 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

71 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit Score®

74 / 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

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
Mount Pleasant