The community of Sandtown-Winchester, or Sandtown as it’s often called, earned its name in the early 19th century. As horse-drawn wagons entered and exited the area they would leave trails of sand in their wake, leading to the name “Sandtown.” Near Upton and Druid Heights in West Baltimore, this was once known as Baltimore’s “Harlem,” and was home to many affluent Black Americans throughout the 1950’s and 60s. “This used to be the heart of the community. All around in Sandtown Winchester is where African Americans were able to buy homes and raise families,” says David Morton, president of James A. Morton and Sons Funeral Home, Inc., a business his father started in Sandtown back in 1954. Today, Sandtown maintains much of its historic spirit and is working toward revitalization, battling back from recent challenges of urban living. “What we’re seeing is tremendous investment by the city. There’s a lot of reconstruction in terms of renovation of buildings; A lot of work in the city to rebuild the infrastructure water pipes cable. There’s been a significant rebound in the housing and sense of community,” Morton says. Still retaining the bones of a desirable community, like proximity to downtown Baltimore, Morton says he believes the community could return to its glory days with the right inputs and continued investment.
Sandtown-Winchester
Neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore City 21217
Traditional Baltimore homes
Homes in Sandtown-Winchester consist primarily of traditional Baltimore row houses, complete with red brick facades and short front stoops. Some homes here, like those along Stricker Street, are painted lively shades of dandelion, olive, pink and lavender, adding a pop of color to the community. Price points in Sandtown-Winchester vary widely depending on the age, size and condition of the property, ranging from lows of around $35,000 for an investment property to highs of $210,000 for a fully renovated home.
No easy commute
In Sandtown-Winchester, North Avenue, which doubles as Route 40 and Route 1, aka North Monroe Street, are major thoroughfares carrying traffic to destinations in every direction. They tend to have moderate to heavy traffic, particularly at the height of commuter traffic. MTA (Maryland Transit Authority) operates buses in the neighborhood along North Gilmor, North Fulton and Presstman.
Carver preps for careers
Students here attend Baltimore City Public Schools, like the Sandtown-Winchester Achievement Academy (Elementary/Middle) and Carver Vocational-Technical High, both of which Niche rates D-plus. Serving over 1,000 students in ninth through twelfth grades, Carver High offers both college preparatory courses and Career and Technology Education (CTE) programs. Through CTE, students can earn industry licenses or certifications in more than a dozen pathways, ranging from construction and development skills, like electrical and masonry trades, to health and bioscience skills, like nursing assistant and pharmacy technician roles. Niche rates Baltimore City Public Schools C-plus overall.
Save a Lot, drive a little
The community of Sandtown is primarily residential, but for everyday essentials, residents can visit local mini-marts and convenience stores that offer quick bites. The closest grocery store here is the Save A Lot off of McMechen Street, with a Walgreens drug store and a Dollar General also nearby on Pennsylvania Avenue. For fresh produce, residents can also try one of the vendors at the historic Avenue Market (formerly the Lafayette Market) established in 1871.
Pauline Fauntleroy to relax
There are no parks in Sandtown-Winchester. However, for some greenery, residents can walk through nearby Pauline Fauntleroy Park, which has a wide open green space and a baseball field. They also can take one of the area’s Metro lines at Penn North or Upton station downtown to stroll the Inner Harbor and the waterfront promenade.
All for one
A number of the local events in Sandtown revolve around the community working together to help one another. Local churches and organizations play an active role observing annual milestones with a helping hand. At the start of the school year, they gather school supplies for kids. Likewise, around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, the same organizations distribute food baskets and toys to those in need. For more conventional activities, the neighborhood is only 3 miles from the football stadium and baseball park and inner harbor, meaning fun activities are never far away.



Agents Specializing in this Area
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Paula Fanning
Northrop Realty
(240) 569-8704
23 Total Sales
1 in Sandtown-Winchester
$19,900 Price
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Alonna Davis
Realty One Group Universal
(667) 303-2801
94 Total Sales
1 in Sandtown-Winchester
$145,000 Price
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Alexis Wise
Realty One Group Performance, LLC
(301) 603-3634
27 Total Sales
1 in Sandtown-Winchester
$36,000 Price
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Pete France
EXP Realty, LLC
(443) 960-7197
76 Total Sales
2 in Sandtown-Winchester
$32K - $138K Price Range
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Dona Dmitrukowski
ERA Real Estate Modo
(443) 912-5406
41 Total Sales
1 in Sandtown-Winchester
$60,000 Price
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Jeff Washo
Compass
(667) 771-3741
285 Total Sales
1 in Sandtown-Winchester
$108,000 Price
Schools
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Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Sandtown-Winchester | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 10 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 7 | 4 |
Robbery | 8 | 4 |
Burglary | 4 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
Larceny | 3 | 4 |
Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Sandtown-Winchester, Baltimore sell after 52 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The average sale price for homes in Sandtown-Winchester, Baltimore over the last 12 months is $87,959, up 16% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Home Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
Excellent Transit
Transit 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

Baltimore history and modern living meet near Maryland Institute College of Art

Classic West Baltimore row houses near Druid Hill Park and the Maryland Zoo

Quiet streets of historic rowhomes central to all things Baltimore

A historic thoroughfare along Pennsylvania Avenue undergoing community-led growth

An accessible West Baltimore neighborhood with relatively affordable housing

A tiny residential community in West Baltimore