Kevin Toll
KW Empower
(484) 446-2565
385 Total Sales
9
$40K - $125K Price Range
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.
Written By
Christopher Kopczynski
Photography Contributed By
Joe Pulcinella
Video By
EB Fox
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Neighborhood Map
Chester Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Chester, PA sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Chester, PA over the last 12 months is $210,000, up 100% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$210,000
Median Sale Price
$210,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$651,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$182,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
8
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
100%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$248
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
9,534
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Median Year Built
1930
Months of Supply
0.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,354
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,552
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
840
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
2,178
Average Home Value
Top Schools in Chester, PA
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 Nether Providence El School
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#2 Swarthmore-Rutledge School
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#3 Woodlyn Elementary School
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#4 Eddystone Elementary School
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#5 Stetser El School
C-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#6 Chester Upland School of Arts
D+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Best Public Middle Schools
#1 Strath Haven Middle School
A
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#2 Ridley Middle School
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Best Public High Schools
#1 Strath Haven High School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
#2 Ridley High School
B
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#3 Chichester Senior High School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#4 STEM at Showalter
C
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#5 Chester High School
D+
Niche
2
GreatSchools
Best Private Schools
#1 Drexel Newman Academy
#2 Faith Temple Christian School
#3 Frederick Douglass Christian School
#4 Institute of Islamic Studies
Agents Specializing in this Area
Agent Spotlight
Dawn LittleMy name is Dawn and I live in Upper Southampton, Pa with my husband of 20 years and our three dogs. I am passionate about my family, my dogs, and my neighborhood. I became a Realtor, not just because I love helping people but to guide each client individually to achieving their dream of owning a home. I take the time to understand each family’s unique lifestyles, their needs and their wishes. It is about more than a certain number of bedrooms or a ZIP code. It is about your life, and that is what is important to me. My clients are my focus, they are treated with respect and compassion. When you work with me, you get a loyal and professional REALTOR® who is a committed ally focused to negotiate on your behalf. I have a wealth of professionals who are in my corner to help our process be a smooth one. Referrals are a big part of my business, so I work diligently to have a 5-star transaction, so my clients are comfortable referring to me their friends and family.
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Kevin Toll
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Deneen Thomas
Deneen Thomas
Responds QuicklyEXP Realty, LLC
(855) 967-5652
51 Total Sales
4
$32K - $145K Price Range
-
AJ Simms
AJ Simms
Coldwell Banker Realty
(267) 756-2294
47 Total Sales
1
$100,000 Price
-
Trish Gesswein
Trish Gesswein
Houwzer LLC-Haddonfield
(848) 301-1594
193 Total Sales
4
$190K - $290K Price Range
-
Brian Foraker
Brian Foraker
Foraker Realty Co.
(484) 779-1602
411 Total Sales
1
$86,000 Price
-
Susan Mattern
Susan Mattern
Responds QuicklyVRA Realty
(267) 682-6612
60 Total Sales
1
$155,000 Price
Top Neighborhoods in this City
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