$604,617Average Value$317Average Price per Sq Ft34Homes For Sale
Settled between Rock Creek parks and Westfield Wheaton mall
North Kensington is a census-designated place and a prime example of a Montgomery County suburb. “Back in the ‘80s, everyone wanted to go to Chevy Chase or Bethesda and probably didn’t know where Kensington was if you asked them — now people want to live here,” says Gary and Diana Ditto, two longtime Kensington residents and real estate agents with the Ditto Group of Long & Foster. Buyers are drawn to the area’s midcentury homes cloaked in mature trees, especially in subdivisions like the Rock Creek Woods Historic District. The community has three public schools within the neighborhood limits, convenient access to Rock Creek Trail and other parks to the west, and a dense retail center in Wheaton bordering to the east. North Kensington's homes branch out from Connecticut Avenue, which stretches to the nation's capital about 10 miles south.
Midcentury classics and Charles Goodman contemporary homes
Home values range from $450,000 to $1 million, varying by age, square footage and lot size. Much of the development came in the post-World War II housing boom, which spread for miles surrounding Washington, D.C. Styles include Cape Cods, split-levels and brick ramblers, often sitting on spacious grass lawns and shaded by consistent tree coverage. The Rock Creek Woods Historic District lies at the heart of North Kensington and was plotted and designed by architect Charles M. Goodman in the mid-1950s. “The houses are avant-garde and designed very differently than in nearby areas,” Gary Ditto says. “[There are] California-style ranchers with lots of grass, open space, and not many walls. For a long time, it was populated by medical doctors from NIH.” Goodman wanted to distinguish his contemporary home designs from the typical Virginia Colonial Revival homes on the other side of the Potomac. The result is a modern suburb that preserves native plants and topography, creating winding cul-de-sacs dotted with beech, poplar and dogwood trees between homes.
Rock Creek Trail runs through Ken-Gar Palisades Park
"One of the great features of this neighborhood is that it backs right up to Rock Creek Park," explains Harry Moore, a Realtor with eXp Realty LLC. "So biking, hiking, walking and just wandering the woods are all just outside your front door." The vast regional green space of Rock Creek borders North Kensington to the west, so locals can quickly access the 18-mile Rock Creek Trail, which stretches from Rockville into Northwest D.C. Ken-Gar Palisades Park also takes up 20 acres of Rock Creek close to home, featuring basketball and tennis courts, fields for soccer and softball, and a playground for kids. The Montgomery County Road Runners Club, the largest running club in the region, usually trains in Ken-Gar Palisades Park. Farther north is Dewey Local Park, which was renovated in 2020. It has a picnic shelter, a large, lighted dog park and a playground with a "trike track" for kids still pedaling with training wheels. East of Connecticut Avenue is Newport Mill Park, beside Albert Einstein High School. It has a playground and a multiuse field where the community comes out for Mid-County Sparkles in July, a fireworks show that also brings spectators from Wheaton and Kensington.
Train history and community pride in the town of Kensington
Ditto, who served on the board of the Kensington Historical Society for many years, speaks highly of Kensington’s stalwart community spirit and its popular annual events, like the Kensington Train Show, which takes place over a weekend in the fall. “We started that about 12 to 14 years ago,” he says. “Around 2,000 people come, including the local Boy Scouts. There are hot dogs, and on that Sunday, we have a storyteller who comes in and sings old-time train songs.” There’s also the Kensington Farmer’s Market, which runs year-round on Saturday mornings along Howard Avenue, close to the train station. Folks can buy local produce, preserves and artisan goods less than a mile south of home. There’s also the Kensington 8K in the fall, which Ditto says brings out the serious runners in town, while the 1K race is more popular for kids and young adults.
Westfield Wheaton mall is down the street
Less than a mile down Veirs Mill Road is Westfield Wheaton, an indoor mall featuring over 100 retailers with 27 restaurants. Locals can shop at JCPenney or Target and grab a fast-casual lunch from Firehouse Subs or Grill Kabob in the food court. Down Connecticut Avenue is Kensington Shopping Center, with a Safeway for groceries and Artha Rini Indonesian Restaurant, which is locally loved for its authentic dishes like jackfruit curry and lamb satay. It is also the first halal Indonesian Restaurant in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia region.
Einstein High School focuses on college and career readiness
Montgomery County Public Schools serve North Kensington. Students can attend Rock View Elementary and Albert Einstein High, earning A-minus overall ratings on Niche. Then there's Newport Mill Middle School, which has a B rating. Einstein High has an extensive College & Career Center, and the school is part of the Montgomery County Career Advising Program, which works in collaboration with Montgomery College to help middle and high school students search for the right careers.
Trains still chug through Kensington
Commuters can take Connecticut Avenue or 16th Street NW to reach the major employers in downtown D.C. after a 10-mile drive, which takes about 40 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic. The Wheaton Metro station is less than 2 miles east and offers Red Line access through D.C. and Maryland. North Kensington is also within a mile of the Kensington and Garrett Park train stations, which offer MARC train access as far north as Frederick and as far south as far as Union Station in D.C. As Ditto says, Kensington is “where the train still stops, and the people still walk.”
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
Ciara Lascano,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Kensington Heights Neighborhood Park
Winding Creek Local Park
Veirs Mill Park
Dewey Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Kensington Heights Park
Rock Creek Park
Newport Mill Park
Ken-Gar Palisades Park
Transit
Airport
Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl
31 min drive
Bus
Plyers Mill Rd & Jennings Rd
Bus
University W Blvd & Madison St
Bus
Veirs Mill Rd & Schoolhouse Cir
Bus
Dewey Rd & Mahan Rd
Bus
Ferrara Dr & Idlewood Rd
Bus
Newport Mill Rd & Astoria Rd
Bus
University W Blvd & Hillsdale Dr
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
North Kensington
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in North Kensington, Wheaton sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in North Kensington, Wheaton over the last 12 months is $663,801, up 13% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This modern two-bedroom, two-bath condo at The Waterford offers bright, open living with thoughtful updates throughout. Floor-to-ceiling windows in every room lead to a full-length balcony—perfect for outdoor dining and relaxing to the soothing sounds of the water fountain below. Inside, the home features wood flooring and a beautifully designed kitchen, crafted by the owner with custom
Fall in love with this storybook home that blends classic charm with modern updates. The beautifully updated kitchen features sleek quartz countertops, a brand-new gas stove and microwave —perfect for your inner chef. Refinished hardwood floors flow throughout, complemented by fresh paint, a cozy fireplace, and abundant natural light. Enjoy morning coffee or evening gatherings on the wide front
Rebuilt from the foundation up in 2012, this beautifully designed Arts & Crafts home blends timeless charm with thoughtful modern updates in the Kensington View community. Situated on a quiet street, this home offers a spacious, fully fenced backyard with professional landscaping, a patio, solar panels, and an EV charger, adding to its efficiency and convenience.Inside, hardwood floors, oversized
Welcome to 11209 Upton Dr – a well-maintained gem in a prime Kensington location! Currently rented and full of potential, this unique property offers the perfect blend of comfort, flexibility, and convenience. The thoughtfully designed layout features a welcoming front living room with a cozy wood-burning fireplace—perfect for those chilly winter evenings—and a fully renovated kitchen
Welcome to your dream home! This stunning 5-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom residence offers an unparalleled living experience in the heart of Kensington. Built from the ground up in 2020, the main level features an open floor plan with a spacious library, a cozy living room, a gourmet kitchen with quartz countertops, a six-burner stove, and stainless steel appliances, plus a convenient half bath and
Welcome to this beautifully renovated brick single-family home in the heart of Silver Spring, MD. This home boasting an expansive driveway can park for 6 vehicles—and plus additional street parking. This spacious two-level residence offers brand new roof, features 4 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, thoughtfully designed for comfort, functionality, and potential rental income. The main level
Maven at Wheaton brings you to the intersection of comfort and connection. Unbeatable access to the best of Silver Spring, Maryland, and beyond - including a number of highly rated employers and the many attractions of Washington, DC. Our pet-friendly community offers a wide selection of floor plans to accommodate your lifestyle.With a walkable neighborhood featuring the conveniences you
Sunny detached colonial with 2-car attached garage in Kensington View is available for multi-year lease. Will need a basic paint refresh before move-in. Combination wood/carpeting; granite kitchen counters, and some updated appliances. Professionally managed and available in July. Online application $50/adult.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ciara Lascano,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
16,412
Median Age
41
Population Density
11 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$108,807
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$132,139
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
89.7%
College Graduates
48.2%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
23.9%
% Population in Labor Force
76.6%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
27°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
16''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
42/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
32/ 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.
