Just 11 miles west of downtown Washington, D.C., Capitol Heights is known for its commuter routes and low housing costs. The Prince George’s County suburb was developed in the early 20th century as a whites-only community based around a prospective streetcar stop. When the Fair Housing Act outlawed housing discrimination in 1968, Capitol Heights’ demographics began to change. Today, around 90% of the 4,000 residents are Black. And though the proposed streetcar stop was never built, a Metro station opened here in 1980. Temi Akojie, a resident of 10 years and Realtor with Keller Williams Capital Properties, says Capitol Heights’ close-knit community is another draw. “One of my neighbors cuts my grass. I’ve borrowed eggs at 6 a.m. And if there’s something going on or happening in town, somebody immediately texts me about it.”
Capitol Heights is a large suburb bordering Washington, DC, currently seeing huge growth.
A row of brand new colonial revival homes on Fairford Way in Capitol Heights.
Marvin Gaye Park is a popular basketball hub located just outside of Capitol Heights.
Coral Hills residents start their commutes at the Capitol Heights Metro Station.
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Capitol Heights’ houses sell for lower than the county’s median price
Most houses in Capitol Heights were built between the early 1900s and ‘60s. Common styles include Craftsman bungalows, Cape Cod cottages and split foyers. The median single-family home price is $325,000, which is less than Prince George’s County’s $425,000. It’s also less than the D.C. metropolitan area’s median price of $600,000. Townhouses and condos can cost between $280,000 and $340,000. In 2023, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development designated Capitol Heights as a very high foreclosure hot spot. The town reported a foreclosure index of 298, which is above the state average index of 100.
Based on 2023 data from the Maryland State Police Department, there were 509 violent crimes per 100,000 people in Prince George’s County, compared to Maryland’s rate of 1,020 per 100,000 people. The county’s property crime rate was 3,702 per 100,000, higher than Maryland's 3,053. The Capitol Heights Police Department and town hall are on Capitol Heights Boulevard.
New build brick town homes like these on Beacon Hill Pl are popping up all over Capitol Heights.
An example of one of the new build colonial revival homes now so common in Capitol Heights.
In rapidly developing Capitol Heights, a few streets lined with older homes still exist.
A colonial revival home in Capitol Heights with a two-door garage and solar panels.
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Living along the Metro’s blue and silver lines
The Capitol Heights Metro station follows the blue and silver lines, both reaching downtown D.C.’s McPherson Square Metro station in about 30 minutes. The Blue Line runs from Franconia–Springfield to Largo, while the Silver Line runs from Ashburn to Downtown Largo. An 11-mile drive on East Capitol Street NE leads to downtown D.C. The drive may take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. Several Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority bus stops are in the area. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is 11 miles west, and Dulles International Airport is 36 miles in the same direction. The nearest hospital is the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center, less than 6 miles east.
Commuters can walk or drive to the Capitol Heights Metro, then take the bus or train.
The Capitol Heights Metro station connects to the Blue Line, which connects to downtown DC.
Metro buses depart regularly from the Capital Heights Metro center.
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Groceries from the town hall or The Capital Market
According to Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation, Capitol Heights is in a food desert. The closest grocery store is Safeway, a mile and a half north. Local government and other organizations have started programs to help alleviate this problem. “There are grocery giveaways at town hall every Sunday to help with food insecurity,” says Aja Hawkins, a Realtor with Vylla Home, who has served the area since 2009. The Capital Market is a farmers market held in the Gethsemane United Methodist Church parking lot, every other Friday from June through October. Fast-food drive-throughs line East Capitol Street, and over 100 nationally recognized retailers are in The Mall at Prince George’s, 8 miles north.
Taste Buds in Capitol Heights is the kind of place where regulars go.
Capitol Heights has no grocery store, but Shoppers is just south of the neighborhood line.
East Capitol Urban Farm Farmers Market is open every other Saturday in Capitol Heights..
Save a Lot is just a short drive from Capitol Heights.
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Capitol Heights Elementary School has a dual-language program
Capitol Heights is zoned for the Prince George’s County Public Schools system, graded a C by Niche. Two elementary schools, one middle school and two high schools serve the area. Capitol Heights Elementary School is a Dual Language STEM school, meaning all science classes are taught in Spanish and English. Prince George’s Community College offers associate degrees and career programs, 7 miles east.
Capitol Heights Elementary is ranked #134 in Maryland Elementary Schools.
Capitol Heights Elementary School is an above average, public school.
Capitol Heights Elementary School is where residents start their k-12 journey.
Doswell E. Brooks Elementary was first opened in 1952 and has a C- rating from Nitch.
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A playground built by the Washington Commanders and several community gardens
About 90% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of one of Capitol Heights’ parks, according to the Trust for Public Land. Opened in 2021, Rollins Avenue Park is the town's largest green space, spanning 19 acres. It has a basketball court, a dog park, and a community garden. “There are a few community gardens in Capitol Heights,” Hawkins says. “More are popping up in town to help with the food [insecurity] problem.” Players for the Washington Commanders helped build the playground outside Oakcrest Community Center, which offers youth football leagues, dance classes and other activities. Northwest Stadium, home of the Commanders, is less than 5 miles east, and Walker Mill Regional Park is 4 miles in the same direction. Locals can expect humid summers and mild winters, with about 13 inches of snowfall per year.
Rollins Ave Park in Capitol Heights has a basketball court, dog park and tennis courts.
Opened in 2021, Rollins Ave Park is testament to the renewal progress in Capitol Heights.
East Capitol Urban Farm is a large community garden right next to the Capitol Heights Metro.
John Howard Community Center has a thriving community garden for visitors to enjoy.
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