Section Image

Penn North

Penn North

$126,454 Average Value
$299 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

A small neighborhood by Druid Hill Park

The small urban community of Penn North is located just south of Druid Hill Park in west Baltimore. Although it was once in disrepair, today Penn North is experiencing a renaissance as new residents move in. The neighborhood has benefited from partnerships with the Maryland Community Health Initiative and from incentives provided by the city to increase rental and ownership. Named Maryland’s first Black Arts and Entertainment district in 2019, Penn North is making a name for itself as a rising star in Charm City. “A lot of people buy there because they feel that the area is about to change,” says Realtor Joshua Savage with Keller Williams, who was born and raised in Baltimore. “It’s been through some tough times, but people believe in the future of the neighborhood.”
Get Downtown in no time from Penn North via one of the many routes.
Get Downtown in no time from Penn North via one of the many routes.
Friendly residents of Penn North are always looking out for each other.
Friendly residents of Penn North are always looking out for each other.
A lone single family home on a block of rowhomes in Penn North.
A lone single family home on a block of rowhomes in Penn North.
Penn North is just a short drive from Downtown Baltimore.
Penn North is just a short drive from Downtown Baltimore.
1/4
The Penn North Metro is conveniently located in the middle of the neighborhood.
The Penn North Metro is conveniently located in the middle of the neighborhood.

The Baltimore Metro

A defining feature of this neighborhood is its proximity to the Penn-North Metro station, which connects the community to the Johns Hopkins Hospital and shopping destination Owings Mills. Residents can catch the light rail from nearby Station North to Baltimore Washington International Airport, a trip which takes roughly one hour. North Avenue converges with Interstate 83, linking Penn North to Baltimore’s famous Inner Harbor.

Traditional Baltimore row houses

Penn North is comprised mostly of traditional Baltimore row houses featuring short front stoops and narrow fenced-in backyards. “The houses are mostly from the 1880s and on,” says Francis O’Neill, a lifelong Baltimore resident and reference librarian at the Maryland Center for History and Culture. Greek Revival and Federal styles are the most common, with neat rows of windows adorning the street-facing walls, although Queen Anne features like rounded towers are sometimes present on end units. Many of the homes require heavy renovations, with prices for some properties beginning as low as $20,000 and rising to $61,000. For move-in ready houses, prospective buyers can expect prices starting around $100,000 and rising as high as $235,000.
You'll find plenty of traditional brick rowhomes in Penn North.
You'll find plenty of traditional brick rowhomes in Penn North.
Row-homes come in conditions from burned out shells, to rehabbed units in Penn North.
Row-homes come in conditions from burned out shells, to rehabbed units in Penn North.
Older brick rowhomes will often have refreshed coats of paint to spruce up the facade.
Older brick rowhomes will often have refreshed coats of paint to spruce up the facade.
1/3
Penn North has plenty of options of homes for a Baltimore neighborhood.
Penn North has plenty of options of homes for a Baltimore neighborhood.

Between Mondawmin and Charles Village

The closest grocery store to Penn North is the Shoppers at Mondawmin Mall, though many residents prefer to make the 3-mile drive around Druid Hill Park to Giant Food in Green Spring Tower Square. Mondawnmin is the closest shopping destination, featuring over 100 retailers and several casual eateries. Directly in the neighborhood, Sugar Hill Tavern is an understated watering hole where locals gather to cheer on the Orioles and enjoy cold drinks, while Round Belly Deli across the street serves some of Maryland’s most underrated barbecue in an intimate setting. “People mostly go to Charles Village for restaurants since it’s so close by,” Savage says. Charles Village Pub, a casual eatery with simple fare and cold brews, has maintained a loyal customer base in the area for over 35 years.

Hitting the books in Baltimore

Children in Penn North are zoned to begin their education at Mount Royal Elementary/Middle School, which Niche scores a B-minus and where they may participate in a new coding program that focuses on early exposure to basic computer science concepts. Students then apply to their choice of the city’s public high schools, including the nearby Bard High School Early College Baltimore, which earns a C-plus. Here, students can earn a tuition-free associate’s degree in addition to their high school diploma.
Mount Royal Elementary/Middle School servers students from Pre-K through the 8th grade.
Mount Royal Elementary/Middle School servers students from Pre-K through the 8th grade.
Hanlon Park_Bard HS _Building 1
Hanlon Park_Bard HS _Building 1
1/2

Druid Hill Park

Penn North is just south of Druid Hill Park, one of Charm City’s oldest green spaces. The park’s south side features a reservoir that is ringed by the East Coast Greenway, a hiking trail that winds around the shore under the watchful eye of the historic Moorish Tower. There are also several baseball fields, basketball and tennis courts and a public swimming pool. The park’s north end is occupied by the Maryland Zoo, where tourists and locals can wander through the award-winning Penguin Coast exhibit.
There are green space and benches for locals to enjoy the space at Rawlings Conservatory.
There are green space and benches for locals to enjoy the space at Rawlings Conservatory.
Play a round of disc golf at the well-maintained Druid Hill Park course.
Play a round of disc golf at the well-maintained Druid Hill Park course.
Druid Hill Park has numerous basketball courts for residents and visitors.
Druid Hill Park has numerous basketball courts for residents and visitors.
1/3

Baltimore’s first Black arts and entertainment district

Penn North still retains some measure of its history as Baltimore’s first Black arts and entertainment district. The Arch Social Club has served the community for over 100 years and is the last remaining venue for live jazz on this historic commercial strip. The Pennsylvania Avenue Branch of the Pratt Free Library offers story time programming for adults and children and computer literacy courses. At Station North, 1.6 miles east of the neighborhood, residents can jam to local bands at The Crown or catch the latest blockbuster at the historic Charles Theatre.
The Arch Social Clubhouse is the last remaining venue for live entertainment in Penn North.
The Arch Social Clubhouse is the last remaining venue for live entertainment in Penn North.
Culturally significant murals can be found throughout Penn North.
Culturally significant murals can be found throughout Penn North.
1/2

Progress in Penn North

While Penn North’s overall CAP Index crime score is 5 out of 10, just above the national average of 4, the scores for robbery and homicide climb to 8 and 9 out of 10, respectively. However, as of March of 2024 the neighborhood has gone a full year without a homicide. In addition, the Penn North Recovery Center has served as the community's only outpatient addiction treatment provider in the area since 1993. The center serves more than 600 people every day.
Indulge in authentic Caribbean cooking at Brudah's Caribbean Kitchen in Baltimore's Penn North.
Indulge in authentic Caribbean cooking at Brudah's Caribbean Kitchen in Baltimore's Penn North.
A set of colorful rowhomes overlook the busy North Avenue corridor.
A set of colorful rowhomes overlook the busy North Avenue corridor.
Even some newer rowhomes can be found in Penn North like this blue and grey triplex.
Even some newer rowhomes can be found in Penn North like this blue and grey triplex.
1/3
Hugh Taylor
Written By
Hugh Taylor
Jessica Stoddard
Photography Contributed By
Jessica Stoddard
EB Fox
Video By
EB Fox

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

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 Joseph DeSimone, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall

23 min drive

Bus

North Ave & Druid Hill Ave Wb

Bus

North Ave & Pennsylvania Ave Wb

Bus

Pennsylvania Ave & Retreat St Nb

Bus

Cloverdale Rd & Mcculloh St

Bus

Pennsylvania Ave & Fulton Ave Nb

Bus

Fulton Ave & Flora St Nb

Bus

Fulton Ave & Reisterstown Rd Fs Nb

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Penn North US
Homicide 9 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 8 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Penn North Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$467,500
Median Sale Price
$467,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$467,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
47
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
56%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$299

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
710
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1910
Months of Supply
0.30

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 Joseph DeSimone, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
1,819
Median Age
39
Population Density
28 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$31,357
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$53,785

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
73.4%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
7.1%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
30°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
16''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

76 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

79 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit Score®

83 / 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

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Penn North neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
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
Penn North