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About Chester, PA

About Chester, PA

The site of William Penn’s first arrival in the area, Chester is the oldest city in Pennsylvania. The city was initially named Upland and later named after the English city of Chester when William Penn came up the Delaware River. From a small shipbuilding and textile town to an industrial powerhouse manufacturing steel ships for both World Wars and consumer goods. Historic buildings and artistic murals line the downtown streets of a community that is proud of its past and looking towards a better future.

Here you’ll find a community of traditional city streets lined with historic buildings adorned with modern murals. These murals are adorned with messages of community solidarity and collective action as the city engages in revitalization through local art and reinvestment. Homes largely retain their historic quality, sporting the classic twin house style and row houses similar to those found in Philadelphia. Downtown Chester’s twin houses feature spacious open floor plans along with turret windows on the second floor, though Chester’s most common home style is the row house. Colonial and traditional-style houses built in the early 1900s feature two to three-story layouts as well as street parking. Most homes are a quick walk or bus ride to nearby schools and businesses, plus cities like Wilmington and Philadelphia are only a half-hour train ride from the Chester Transportation Center. The range of home prices varies; homes needing major restoration and a little T.L.C. range from $15,000 to $110,000, row houses range from $150,000 to 440,000 and more recent developments are priced as high as $660,000 or more.

Chester offers its students a range of public and private education options. Public and charter schools in the area operate under the Chester Upland School District, with primary schools like Stetser Elementary, which has an overall C minus Niche rating teaching students from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade. Students move on to intermediate and secondary institutions such as Toby Farms Intermediate and Chester High School. The latter high school has an overall C minus Niche rating a longstanding reputation as basketball championship winners since the 1980s and has graduated several professional basketball players.

After school, bring the kids to the historic J. Lewis Crozer Library. The library was founded in 1769 as the Chester Library Company, one of the earliest libraries established in Pennsylvania, and renamed in 1925 after a sizeable donation from philanthropist J. Lewis Crozer. The current building’s exterior is entirely covered by artful murals depicting some classic literary titles and more abstract pieces.

A sizeable revitalization initiative in Chester is reflected in established and new businesses. Downtown shopping offers a range of local retailers and services to browse through. Regional grocery stores like Express Food Market will keep your home stocked with fresh produce, bulk foodstuffs and other household necessities. There are also several local restaurants where you can enjoy a nice meal. Start your day at Penn Café, a locally owned and newly renovated restaurant in the heart of downtown, dishing out specialty beverages, baked goods, and a range of small-plate meals. Name A Better Duo Tacos and Bowls is a local take-out spot offering tacos, bowls, and other Mexican favorites.

Historic homes with quick commutes to schools and nearby metropolitan areas make Chester a choice for a home well worth considering.

Christopher Kopczynski
Written By
Christopher Kopczynski
Joe Pulcinella
Photography Contributed By
Joe Pulcinella
EB Fox
Video By
EB Fox

Neighborhood Map

Chester Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$139,900
Median Sale Price
$135,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$139,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$170,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
232
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
$17
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$106

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes for Sale
53
Months of Supply
2.70

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Chester, PA

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

Nether Providence El School
#1 Nether Providence El School
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Swarthmore-Rutledge School
#2 Swarthmore-Rutledge School
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Woodlyn Elementary School
#3 Woodlyn Elementary School
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Eddystone Elementary School
#4 Eddystone Elementary School
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Stetser El School
#5 Stetser El School
C-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Chester Upland School of Arts
#6 Chester Upland School of Arts
D+
Niche
4
GreatSchools

Best Public Middle Schools

Strath Haven Middle School
#1 Strath Haven Middle School
A
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Ridley Middle School
#2 Ridley Middle School
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools

Best Public High Schools

Strath Haven High School
#1 Strath Haven High School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Ridley High School
#2 Ridley High School
B
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Chichester Senior High School
#3 Chichester Senior High School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
STEM at Showalter
#4 STEM at Showalter
C
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Chester High School
#5 Chester High School
D+
Niche
2
GreatSchools

Best Private Schools

Drexel Newman Academy
#1 Drexel Newman Academy
Faith Temple Christian School
#2 Faith Temple Christian School
Frederick Douglass Christian School
#3 Frederick Douglass Christian School
Institute of Islamic Studies
#4 Institute of Islamic Studies

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

Tim Brogan
(215) 608-0466
After graduating from Rider University, playing Division 1 Soccer all 4 years, I entered into the Pharmaceutical industry as a sales representative. There, in my career, I spent a decade as a top producing sales rep for some of most well-known Pharmaceutical companies.

After successfully investing in buying and selling properties, I decided to make a career jump and in 2010 I joined Coldwell Banker in Old City to pursue my real estate journey. I entered into the Real Estate field fully loaded with extensive sales and marketing training along with top notch customer service.

Born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia and living in Northern Liberties since 2003, makes me a lifelong Philadelphia resident! This not only gives me an advantage but also allows me to advise my clients with a personal touch. My considerable knowledge of Philadelphia's rich history and the market gives my business an authentic edge.
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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.