$209,177Average Value$133Average Price per Sq Ft66Homes For Sale
Allentown’s center of culture and commerce
Under a skyline featuring Art Deco silhouettes and sleek, glass high-rises, Center City is a bustling blend of the old and the new. “We’ve had lots of new businesses and ribbon cuttings for new storefronts. Allentown is starting to come into its own as the third largest city in Pennsylvania,” says Brittney Ciardi, Senior Vice President of Allentown Initiatives for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. New entertainment and commercial spaces mingle with established cultural hubs and residential blocks, positioning Center City at the heart of Allentown’s ongoing rebranding and development as a serious northeastern entertainment destination outside of Philadelphia and New York City.
Shopping and dining on Hamilton Street
Centered around Hamilton, Sixth and Seventh streets, Center City’s major business centers combine significant recent redevelopment with holdovers from the 19th and 20th centuries. Along Hamilton Street, pedestrians pass the Resurrected Life Community Church, a new congregation housed in an iconic 260-plus year-old Gothic Revival church known for hiding the Liberty Bell from the British, towering modern office buildings and mismatched Italianate commercial buildings leftover from the iron and silk manufacturing era that are now home to dozens of restaurants and specialty businesses. “I get coffee from La Vida Café pretty much every day, and I love assembly 88. It’s hard to find a great men’s boutique” Ciardi says. Smaller, hole-in-the-wall restaurants and those with more updated dining rooms serve global cuisines from authentic Mexican favorites to Carribean staples, and trendy spots like Pennsylvania Rye Company and Brü Daddy's serve cocktails and craft brews to the post-work crowd. For groceries, shoppers head to small convenience stores throughout the area but can find a wider selection at Supremo Food Market off Seventh Street.
Row and townhouses from $55,000 in Center City
Dense blocks of two- and three-story row houses and townhouses branch from busy commercial areas, lining streets with a wide range of historic revival details popular in the mid-1800s through early 1900s like protruding bay windows and roofs adorned with dormer windows. Prices range from $55,000 to $350,000 depending on rehabilitation needs and square footage. Most Center City residents rent rather than own their homes, and many properties on the market contain several rentable units. Front yards are hard to come by, with most front doors and small porches opening directly onto sidewalks lined by the occasional tree and lines of street-parked cars.
Pocket parks and playgrounds throughout Center City
A handful of small green spaces provide breathing room between dense city blocks, like the ArtsWalk Pocket Park, shadowed by young trees and colorful murals on nearby buildings. “It’s like a little outdoor lobby for all the businesses there,” Ciardi says. Further from the central business district, playgrounds and basketball courts populate classic community parks like Stevens and Valania parks, as well as Fountain Park, a much larger collection of baseball and soccer fields between Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Little Lehigh Creek.
Allentown Symphony Orchestra, Phantoms games and summer festivals
Center City nurtures an evolving arts and entertainment scene, putting on a bevy of year-round and seasonal events. The Miller Symphony Hall hosts performances by the Allentown Symphony Orchestra and a wide array of traveling musical groups, and the Allentown Art Museum’s permanent and rotating exhibits are free to the public. During hockey season, fans cheer on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at PPL center. The annual Blues, Brews & Barbecue Festival draws tens of thousands of foodies and music fans to Center City each summer, ready to enjoy a day of enormous block-party vibes, live music, vendors and plenty of barbecue treats and craft brews.
Attending Allentown City School District
Depending on home address, kids might attend Central Elementary School which earns a D-plus on Niche, followed by Raub Middle School which earns a D-plus and Allen High School which earns a C-minus. Allen High has a student-teacher ratio of 20-to-1.
Lehigh Valley International Airport, walkability and LANTA buses
Frequent fliers leave Center City for Lehigh Valley International Airport, less than 5 miles north of home. Extensive sidewalk systems allow Center City commuters to walk to dozens of major employers within a mile of home. LANTA bus routes make stops throughout the city, and those with personal vehicles may depend on subscriptions to downtown parking garages and lots rather than seeking out metered street-parking spots each day. Center City has a CAP Index crime score of 7 out of 10, higher than the national average of 4.
Noise and traffic in the heart of Allentown
As a center of business and entertainment, areas closest to Hamilton, Sixth and Seventh streets experience a higher level of noise during rush hour and in the evenings thanks to traffic and nightlife.
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
Are you familiar with the Center City neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Center City
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
9
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
7
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Center City Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Center City, Allentown sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Center City, Allentown over the last 12 months is $215,000, up 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautifully Remodeled 5-Bedroom Row Home with Historic Charm and Modern Comfort is waiting for its new owner. As soon as you step into the spacious living room through the leaded glass double doors you find a home brimming with character and warmth. The stunning living room showcases hardwood flooring and a leaded glass bay window that fills the space with natural light, and a period-style
Spacious four bedroom brick twin with upgrades galore! Situated on a corner lot, this gem features new gleaming hardwood floors. Living room, dining area and kitchen with oven/range, dishwasher and pantry closet. Three generously sized bedrooms with new flooring and renovated full bathroom on second level, along with an enormous fourth bedroom containing a 14 x 3 walk in closet featured on third
Don’t judge a book by its cover—this 5-unit investment in Allentown delivers serious numbers. Now offered at an improved price with a 9.36% cap rate, gross annual income over $84,000, and a clear CO. Two buildings on one deed with separated utilities, new roofs (2021 & 2023), and 4 of 5 units renovated within the last 3 years. Strong cash flow in a desirable, walkable Walnut Street location—an
16’ x 65’ Level Lot Near Downtown AllentownPreviously the site of a home, this level lot offers potential for new construction (with City of Allentown approval) or possible use as a parking pad. Conveniently located close to downtown, shopping, and amenities. Lots of possibilities, but please verify your plans with Allentown Zoning for permitted uses.
This spacious 5-bedroom, 1.5-bath home for rent features a full brickfront façade with a welcoming covered front porch. Inside, laminate floors flow throughout the main living areas, including a bright living room with a bay window and ceiling fan, as well as a formal living room with its own ceiling fan. The large kitchen offers plenty of cabinet storage, stainless steel appliances, and ample
Welcome to The Hamilton at Grand Plaza, where modern luxury meets inspired living in the heart of Allentown. Here, every apartment is crafted to offer a lifestyle of unmatched style and convenience. Our stunning studio, one-, and two-bedroom homes are spacious, open, and meticulously designed with high-end finishes that bring sophistication and comfort to your everyday life.Inside your
Welcome to this lovely home in the heart of Allentown, featuring five spacious bedrooms filled with natural sunlight. This property offers brand-new windows, a well-maintained heating system, and a full basement for additional storage and utilities. With newly completed renovations that give the home a modern and prestige appearance, the aura truly speaks for itself. The landlord requires tenants
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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