One of Dayton's first suburbs, McPherson has stood the test of time by growing alongside the city. It's just 1 mile north of Downtown Dayton, which is continually undergoing revival due to the efforts of the city government and the Downtown Dayton Partnership. "They have pumped literally billions of dollars into Dayton, and that is starting to seep across the river and into McPherson," says Miranda Biedenharn of Comey & Shepherd Realty, who has been selling homes in Dayton for over 15 years. "You can feel the revitalization coming." Driving along the neighborhood's narrow roads, it's clear that renovation is underway, as many of the older homes from the early 20th century have gotten a facelift. While there are few retail options besides car dealerships in the community, plenty of shops and restaurants are just across the bridge. Plus, locals are next door to Interstate 75, the Miami River and multiple green spaces, from playgrounds to bike trails.
Ornate Victorians and Queen Annes on shady streets
Office buildings, businesses and a large synagogue occupy most of the neighborhood, so residential streets are on the community's western side. Homes sit within the McPherson Town Historic District, considered Dayton's first suburb. Since the 1970s, properties have seen continual renovation and renewal through the Neighborhood Development Corporation, a resident-formed 501C3 organization tasked with updating the neighborhood to stay current with the city's growth. Biedenharn says that investors also play a pivotal role in reviving the area since they renovate homes up to modern standards, attracting both homebuyers and renters. Most homes in McPherson are large, older homes with Queen Anne and Victorian influences, from octagonal turrets with double-hung windows to prominent front-facing gables. Many properties are row-style, sitting quite close to one another. Prices typically range between $170,000 and $270,000, although some properties can sell up to $400,000. Driveways are few and far between, so residents depend on on-street parking, but with the well-paved sidewalks, the neighborhood is walkable. Mature oak trees line the quiet streets in the residential areas, providing shade in the summer and an array of colors in the fall.
Home prices in McPherson typically range between $170,000 and $270,000.
Beautiful and colorful Queen Anne style homes are found throughout McPherson.
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Dining and shopping just across the Miami River
Right across the Miami River are plenty of restaurant and retail options. "Everything you'd ever need is right across the bridge, so it's very easy to get to shopping," says Biedenharn. Black and white photos adorn the walls of Flying Pizza, a family-owned business that's been open for generations. Mudlick Tap House, an upscale gastropub, pairs specialty cocktails with brunch specials. For special occasions, Table 33 is a white tablecloth eatery offering market-price seafood specials and steak frites. New eateries open frequently, as the city welcomed almost 20 new restaurants in the summer of 2024, with even more scheduled to come. Stop-N-Save Food Inc offers locally sourced groceries, while nationally recognized brands like Kroger are 2 miles away off Highway 35. Locals visit The Oregon District or 3rd Sundays Outdoor Market to shop local clothing and boutique stores. Entertainment venues are all over downtown, too. Ballets and theater productions grace the stages of Victoria Theater and Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, while Levitt Pavilion Dayton is the spot for live music. Closer to home on the other side of Interstate 75, The Dayton Art Institute is renowned for its historical art collection and interactive children's gallery.
Flying Pizza serves the best pizza in the heart of Dayton, next to McPherson.
Residents can visit the Dayton Art Institute, just outside of McPherson.
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Biking along the Great Miami Recreational Trail
McPherson Town Park is the neighborhood's pocket park, but most residents head to McKinley Park to picnic and play together. Across the street are a couple of tennis courts open for public use. For a walk or leisurely bike ride along the Miami River, the Great Miami Recreational Trail stretches along the neighborhood's southern border. It winds past the Korean War Veterans Memorial and extends roughly 93 miles across multiple cities. One mile away is Deeds Point MetroPark, which is part of the Five Rivers MetroPark system. The park features many trails, some of which are also part of the Great Miami Recreational Trail. The green space also has several commemorative monuments and onshore fishing areas. Maureen Johnson, a visitor services representative at Five Rivers MetroParks, says the park itself has no restrictions on fishing, but anglers are required to have an Ohio fishing license and must abide by all posted state guidelines to cast a line. For indoor recreation, the YMCA of Greater Dayton is half a mile south.
The Great Miami River Trail offers 93 miles of trails through Kittyhawk and beyond.
McPherson is home to the Korean War Veterans Memorial and is a beautiful space to walk.
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Montessori and arts-focused education
Children in McPherson attend Dayton Public Schools, beginning at River's Edge Montessori School, which has a C-minus rating from Niche. The school offers enrichment clubs during the last 30 minutes of the school day. The clubs have diverse focus areas, from Japanese paper folding to swing dance. Older students move to Wright Brothers Middle School, which also has a C-minus rating. High schoolers attend Stivers School for the Arts, which offers eight magnet concentrations in performing arts, visual arts and writing. It has a B-plus rating, and Niche considers it the sixth-best high school for the arts in Ohio. The neighborhood is also 1 mile from Downtown Dayton's B-rated Sinclair Community College.
River's Edge Montessori is a place for students to expand their knowledge daily.
Students at Stivers School for the Arts are talented and high achieving.
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Paths through the city and over the river
Interstate 75 creates the neighborhood's northern border. Residents trade increased noise levels for convenience, as the highway connects drivers to the city's edges and beyond in just a few miles. On the other side of the interstate is Kettering Health Dayton, a major hospital with ties to Ohio University. Lined with bus stops, Ohio State Route 48 and Riverside Drive are the primary paths over the Miami River into Downtown Dayton. For air travel, Dayton International Airport is 11 miles north.
Crime
The neighborhood has a CAP Index score of 7, versus the national average of 4. The area has higher-than-average scores for property crime. The West District of the Dayton Police Department addresses this by regularly patrolling the neighborhood and informing community members of crime-stopper resources.
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 neighborhood?
Reach out to
LaToya Webb,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
RiverScape MetroPark
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Trails
Deeds Point Metropark
Bike Trails
Fishing
Picnic Area
McKinley Park
Trails
Playground
Kettering Field
Baseball/Softball
Events
Concessions
Great Miami Recreation Trail
McPherson Town Park
Transit
Airport
James M Cox Dayton International
19 min drive
Bus
Riverview & Floral
Bus
Riverside & River
Bus
Riverview & El Morado
Bus
Riverview & Wilbe
Bus
Main & Babbit
Bus
Main & Mcpherson
Bus
Main & Emmet
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
McPherson
US
Homicide
7
4
Sexual Assault
7
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
8
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
8
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in McPherson, Dayton sell after 32 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in McPherson, Dayton over the last 12 months is $109,000, down 16% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Wonderful investment opportunity in Downtown Dayton, in the desirable McPherson Town Historic District. This duplex consists of 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Building consists of 3,134 sf total and an unfinished basement for both units. Updates include new HVAC (2025) in unit 212, new plumbing in 212, and new interior paint in 212. Unit 210 is currently occupied on a month-month lease and unit 212
Property Id: 58468*** WATERFRONT Community ****If you crave excitement, color, and unique amenities in the place you call home, then make East River Place your fabulous new residence. Our exceptional look, tradition, and energy is derived from the perfect Dayton location … at the crossroads of our metropolitan, entertainment, and culturally rich community.You'll
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
LaToya Webb,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
488
Median Age
47
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
13.5%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$47,702
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$57,482
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
55.2%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
22.1%
% Population in Labor Force
69.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
21''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
89/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
69/ 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.
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.
