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Union Square

Union Square

Neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore City 21223

Neighborhood Reviews
5.0
$261,620 Average Value
$95 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

Historic Baltimore architecture and strong community ties

Home to the Baltimore National Heritage Area headquarters and centered around historic Union Square Park, the neighborhood of Union Square is a snapshot back to Victorian-era Baltimore. The area is almost entirely made up of 19th-century Baltimore row houses, with an average list price that’s about $275,000, higher than in nearby neighborhoods like Franklin Square to the north and Boyd-Booth to the west. “You’re getting more than a house. What you’re getting is true community,” explains Bif Browning, president of the Union Square Association. “We’re the type of place where we do everything in a friendly manner. Where neighbors meet each other and get to know one another and look out for each other.” A walk to Hollins Market or Pigtown delivers access to local businesses and attractions, while Union Square Park’s antique fountain and wrought-iron lamps, picnic spaces and walking paths create a natural oasis within the heart of the city.

Union Square neighborhood has roots in Victorian style architecture.
Union Square neighborhood has roots in Victorian style architecture.
At the center of Union Square neighborhood is the park.
At the center of Union Square neighborhood is the park.
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Historic Union Square Park and the B&O Railroad Museum

Surrounded by homes on all sides, Union Square Park is the heart of the neighborhood. The square acts as a community gathering spot and natural oasis, full of open grassy space, tall shady trees, and a Grecian-style pavilion. Though it does not have a playground, the park offers benches for sitting and paths for walking dogs or pushing strollers. Folks can sit near the antique fountain or picnic under the trees. About 1 mile east, Black Cherry Puppet Theater is a live music and marionette performance space that hosts workshops and puppet shows. The B&O Railroad Museum is just down the road and gives residents a glimpse of Baltimore’s history.

Walk your dog around Union Square neighborhood.
Walk your dog around Union Square neighborhood.
The B&O Railroad Museum in Union Square is a great place to visit.
The B&O Railroad Museum in Union Square is a great place to visit.
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Local restaurants and access to historic Hollins Market

Restaurants near Union Park, like Primo Chicken’s Peruvian cuisine and Zella's Pizzeria, offer dine-in and takeout options. Across the street is Hollins Market, a large public marketplace that has been part of the community since 1836. While Hollins Market is currently undergoing renovations, locals can still enjoy a quick bite or gather for community events. Across the street, Rooted Rotisserie serves French cuisine in a bistro atmosphere. Nearby, Pigtown’s quaint main street has shops like Ma’Ede Ethiopian Market and Café, offering authentic meals and pantry items like teas and lentils. Mount Clare Junction shopping center has a Family Dollar and Price Rite Marketplace for groceries and household items.

Nearby Hollins Market is undergoing some renovations and returning with a fresh new look!
Nearby Hollins Market is undergoing some renovations and returning with a fresh new look!
Primo Chicken in Union Square makes amazing food.
Primo Chicken in Union Square makes amazing food.
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The Union Square Association’s annual events

The Union Square Association hosts several events, ranging from their Crab Fest and Pig Roast to their nonreligious tree lighting ceremony. “We’re the most diverse neighborhood in the city," Browning says. “We’ve got people from over 56 countries living here, which makes it where we have a wide range of food, a wide array of music, and it makes it interesting. We’re a really vibrant community, and that’s what we’re about. We celebrate culture here.” One of the community’s favorite long-standing traditions is its Cookie Tour. Held each December for the past 30 years, it allows neighbors to tour one another's homes while trying holiday treats.

19th-century brick-and-stone Baltimore row houses

Union Square’s late-1800s row houses are brimming with history and modern updates. Spacious three-story Greek Revival and Federal-style houses feature red-brick or stone facades and short front stoops. One of the more well-known residences in the area is the historic H.L. Mencken House on Hollins Street, right next to the park. Now a museum, the house showcases Mencken's life and legacy as a 19th-century author and literary critic. For modern homebuyers, prices for these three-story row homes often range between $200,000 to $400,000. Those looking to invest or build their dream home from scratch can find damaged or abandoned dwellings up for auction starting at prices around $50,000.

The homes in Union Square are often three stories and offer plenty of space.
The homes in Union Square are often three stories and offer plenty of space.
Enjoy the different style row homes in Union Square.
Enjoy the different style row homes in Union Square.
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Commutes to downtown via the CityLink bus lines

The CityLink bus system connects Union Square residents to downtown Baltimore, which is about 3 miles away. For weekends away, Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is about 10 miles south via Route 295. Folks can also walk or bike less than 2 miles to M&T Bank Stadium, where the Baltimore Ravens play football, as well as Camden Yards next door, which houses Major League Baseball’s Orioles. The University of Maryland Medical Center is about 1 mile away for emergencies and checkups.

Baltimore City Public Schools programs and courses

Students in Union Square can attend kindergarten through eighth grade at Franklin Square Elementary Middle School, which is graded a C-minus on Niche. Baltimore students may then apply to the high school of their choice. The Vivien T Thomas Medical Arts Academy teaches medical arts and health science skills. The academy is graded a C on Niche. Students may also travel outside the neighborhood to attend schools such as Baltimore School for the Arts, graded a B-plus, or Paul Laurence Dunbar High School graded a C.

Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy is a public High School in Union Square.
Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy is a public High School in Union Square.
Franklin Square Elementary School in Union Square serves PK-8th grade.
Franklin Square Elementary School in Union Square serves PK-8th grade.
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Crime and community organizations in Union Square

The neighborhood’s CAP Index crime score is an overall 7 out of 10 for crime, higher than the national average of 4. However, the score for homicide is 10. The neighborhood can benefit from community resources in Franklin Square to the north. The Safe Alternative Foundation for Education (S.A.F.E.) Center is a youth organization focused on promoting after-school activities, like hands-on classes that support the development of career goals in STEAM subjects, literacy, health and fitness. For additional assistance, locals can go to the Viva House food bank on South Mount Street, which is open on Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Shelby Sullivan
Written By
Shelby Sullivan
Everett Hall-McNeill
Video By
Everett Hall-McNeill

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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 Lonnie Gilmore, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall

18 min drive

Bus

Baltimore St & Calhoun St Eb

Bus

Lombard St & Stricker St Fs Wb

Bus

Baltimore St & Gilmor St Fs Eb

Bus

Gilmor St & Lombard St Fs Nb

Reviews

Niche Reviews
5.0 2 Reviews
5.0 Current Resident
7/7/2019 Niche Review
Union Square is Baltimore's best-kept secret - it's all about location, location, location. The heart of the city offers diverse and lively events: cultural, social, dining, and sports – just to name a few. Appealing as these features are, living in the heart of the city is a very different thing – there are issues of traffic, restricted parking, cramped quarters and noise. That's the beauty of having a home in historic Union Square. "Close to the heart" with none of the drawbacks, Union Square is a cosmopolitan mix of residential comfort and urban excitement.
Are you familiar with the Union Square neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Union Square US
Homicide 10 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 7 4
Robbery 9 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$205,000
Median Townhouse Price
$267,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$95
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
11
Months of Supply
3.30
Median List Price
$267,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-10%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
227
Median Year Built
1860

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 Lonnie Gilmore, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
655
Median Age
40
Population Density
19 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$76,667
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$87,138

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
90.4%
College Graduates
32.3%
Advanced Degrees
20.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
71.2%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

59 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

88 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit Score®

78 / 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
Union Square