$217,151Average Value$139Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Renowned legacies live on in this historic community
The Wright-Dunbar neighborhood is significant to Dayton's history. It's where aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright grew up and nurtured their dreams alongside classmate and friend Paul Laurence Dunbar, the famed African American poet and novelist. The legacies of all three men live on in the community, with several museums, historical landmarks and gathering places standing in their honor. People are welcomed into the neighborhood by a life-size sculpture of the Wright brothers' 1905 Wright Flyer III, and at Oak & Ivy Park, visitors enjoy a community space that pays homage to Dunbar's first work. As the neighborhood continually honors its history, it also uplifts new businesses and residents. "West Dayton is predominantly African American, but Wright-Dunbar village has become very diverse," says Jeff Jackson, president of the Wright Dunbar Village Neighborhood Association and 23-year resident. "We run the gamut, and we celebrate and embrace our diversity."
The Wright Cycle Co. building in Wright-Dunbar is listed as a National Historic Landmark.
Wright-Dunbar is mixed-use area.
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Protecting Victorian architecture while inviting modernity
Built mainly in the late 1800s, homes in Wright-Dunbar come primarily in turn-of-the-century Victorian styles, featuring bay windows, turrets and colorful exteriors. Preserving this architecture is important to the community, so homes are carefully renovated, and modern in-fill construction must resemble the area's historic homes. "About a decade ago, the village hosted a 'Rehabarama' where they sold historic homes for $1, and you could get a grant to renovate them. If houses were uninhabitable, buyers could tear down and build new homes that looked just like the originals," explains Jeffrey Roberts, Realtor with RE/MAX Alliance Realty. Apartment complexes and townhouse communities also keep with the neighborhood's visual landscape. Expected to open in Spring 2025, The Townes at Wright Dunbar will have ultra-modern interiors but historic-looking red brick exteriors with Italianate flourishes. Single-family homes typically have two stories, but single-story ranch-style houses, bungalows and Cape Cods are also common. Prices consistently range between $100,000 and $280,000. Most homes have detached garages with alleyway access, but people also use street parking. Front yards are kept tidy, with mature trees and seasonal blooms dotting lawns, and well-maintained sidewalks invite neighbors to walk around the community. "As neighbors, we pitch in our time and sweat equity, as well as financially, because we want to be one of the elite neighborhoods in Dayton. There's no other way to put it: we have pride in where we live," says Jackson. Besides the Wright brothers' home, there are a couple of other historic houses in the neighborhood. The Fitch House is the neighborhood's oldest house, and the former home of Frank Hamburger now holds the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park's administrative offices. The Mallory House also still stands. Captain Robert H. Mallory played a pivotal role in Dayton's African American community as the executive director of the Linden Community Center.
Wright-Dunbar has many renovated homes.
This newer Wright-Dunbar home was built in 2000.
Small single floor homes can be found in Wright-Dunbar.
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Celebrating at Oak & Ivy Park
Recreation is a valued part of living in Wright-Dunbar, especially exploring the community on foot. On a single street corner, people can walk between the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center, the Aviation Trail and the Wright Cycle Company Shop. Each offers valuable information about the lives and legacies of the Wright brothers and Dunbar. Visitors are also only a few blocks away from Dunbar's former home and the original site of the Wright brothers' home. Beyond the historical sites, locals gather at Oak and Ivy Park to celebrate the community's history and enjoy the outdoors. Named after Dunbar's first published book, the park invites activity with its old-fashioned lampposts, bubbling fountain and shade-speckled pathways. Many events occur at the park's outdoor amphitheater, from historical celebrations to live music and comedic performances. Jackson says it's also the new site of the Dayton Potato Festival. On the scenic bank of the Great Miami River, Sunrise MetroPark offers skyline views, glimpses of blue herons and walkways brimming with wildflowers. Cyclists and runners share the Great Miami River Recreational Trail, which follows the river for over 90 miles.
McIntosh Park near Wright-Dunbar has a playground.
Sunrise MetroPark in Wright-Dunbar offers stunning views over the water.
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Earning college credit through Sinclair Community College
Although the Dayton Public School District allows flexible zoning, many students attend the schools closest to them. Edison Elementary School is north of the neighborhood and has a C-minus rating on Niche. Wogaman Middle School has a D-plus rating, and Paul Laurence Dunbar High School has a C-minus rating. The high school offers college credit courses through Sinclair Community College, which has a B rating. Two charter schools and Central State University's Dayton campus are inside the neighborhood. This public, historically Black university earns a C-minus from Niche.
Mound Street Academies in Wright-Dunbar offers computer-based, academic instruction.
Edison Elementary School near Wright-Dunbar teaches kids through sixth grade.
Dunbar High School near Wright-Dunbar gets a C-minus from Niche.
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Wright Dunbar Inc. preserves history and connects the community
The neighborhood is helped by Wright Dunbar Inc., a non-profit dedicated to economically revitalizing the Wright Dunbar Business District. A neighborhood association also addresses residents' concerns and connects the community. As the association's president, Jackson says neighbors frequently come together to collaborate and commemorate. Each June is Wright-Dunbar Day — a family-friendly block party celebrating Paul Laurence Dunbar's birthday. Live entertainment, food trucks and vendors fill a blocked-off stretch of West Third Street. Another big event is the annual Dayton Regional Walk of Fame inductee luncheon. Smaller events are just as frequent. "We've done cocktail walks in the neighborhood where we'll go from house to house to try wonderful cocktails. We've done a beer and Girl Scout cookies event, and in the summer, we do porch, patio and backyard parties," Jackson says. "And our December meeting isn't a meeting but a Christmas party instead."
Two major highways intersect with Wright-Dunbar
Residents have several options for traveling around the neighborhood. Public bus stops and a Link Bike Share station are along West Third Street, the community's primary path into downtown. West 5th and West Washington streets also help drivers cross the Miami River into east Dayton. Interstate 75 passes through the neighborhood, and the nearest onramp is just over the West Third bridge. The interstate insects with Highway 35, the community's southern border. The highways get noisy around peak traffic times, but most residents are okay with trading a bit of quiet for quick access. Some significant structural changes may be coming to Highway 35, but the city is still in the preliminary phases of applying for funding through the USDOT's Reconnecting Communities Pilot. For flights, the neighborhood is 13 miles from the Dayton International Airport.
Bike lanes are available on West Third Street in Wright-Dunbar.
Wright-Dunbar runs south from West Third Street near the Great Miami River.
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Bringing new life to the Wright Dunbar Business District
Wright-Dunbar has a new 6,400-square-foot food hall called West Social Tap + Table. Featuring a myriad of global cuisines, people dine on Italian fare at Illy's Fire Pizza, Filipino barbecue at Lumpia Queen and authentic Mexican at Taco Street Co. Outside West Social Tap + Table is a prominent mural for the Dayton Regional Walk of Fame, which lines West Third Street and the brick-laid Williams Street. New honorees are inducted every year for their contributions to the community, so the collection of stones continues to grow. The neighborhood's list of restaurants is also growing. Saoko Leaf & Vine, a tea house owned by two Dayton natives, is set to open along West Third Street in Spring 2025. Small convenience stores offer quick essentials, but people drive about 1 mile away for groceries. However, from May to October, the Oak and Ivy Family Market is open. It runs on the last Thursday of each month from 4 to 8 p.m. Vendors sell locally grown produce, freshly baked goods, handmade artwork and more. Wright-Dunbar is just across the river from downtown Dayton, expanding nearby dining, shopping and entertainment options. It's also 2 miles from the University of Dayton Arena, where thousands go to watch NCAA tournaments.
West Social Tap & Table in Wright-Dunbar is a food hall featuring a roundup of global cuisine.
Tasty Bird Market offers fresh meats and produce in Wright-Dunbar.
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Crime
The CAP Index gives the area a crime score of 8 out of 10, above the national average of 4 out of 10. Some categories of violent crime rate as high as 10 out of 10. Currently, the Dayton Police Department West Patrol Operations Division headquarters is inside the neighborhood. The division will move to a new building about 2 miles away in late 2025 but still patrol and respond to the neighborhood after its move.
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
Andrew Gaydosh,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Liberation Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Playground
Sunrise MetroPark
Picnic Area
Trails
Dayton Bike Yard
McIntosh Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Picnic Area
Transit
Airport
James M Cox Dayton International
21 min drive
Bus
Norwood & Horace
Bus
Norwood & 334 Norwood
Bus
Edwin C Moses & Washington
Bus
3rd & Horace
Bus
Mound & Germantown
Bus
Germantown & Germantown
Bus
Germantown & Hawthorn
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Wright-Dunbar
US
Homicide
10
4
Sexual Assault
7
4
Assault with Weapon
10
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
7
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
8
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Wright-Dunbar Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Wright-Dunbar, Dayton sell after 109 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Wright-Dunbar, Dayton over the last 12 months is $307,500, up 111% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Totally renovated home in the Historic Wright Dunbar District. This home has been renovated from top to bottom including: new roof, new wood siding on home and garage, new garage door with opener, complete new kitchen with granite tops and whirlpool gold appliances, island with slide in electric range, LED lighting, two custom updated bathrooms, new HVAC, all new drywall, interior trim, doors,
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Andrew Gaydosh,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
646
Median Age
36
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
31%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$14,166
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$36,942
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
60.8%
Significantly below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
18.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.2%
% Population in Labor Force
50.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
21''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
53/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
34/ 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.
