Section Image

Girard

Girard

Located in Erie County

$245,350 Average Value
$145 Average Price per Sq Ft
6 Homes For Sale

Sunflowers and small-town charm near Lake Erie in Girard

Girard is a blend of activity in the borough and rural scenery in the surrounding township stretching from Lake Erie's bluff-topped shoreline past the rush of Interstate 90. “Girard’s a small, quiet town with that mom-and-pop feel, lots of youth sports and a community pool,” says Libby Remache, a Realtor with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services who’s specialized in Erie County for over nine years. This expansive section of Erie County blends the country-style agriculture and recreation areas the region is known for with its own quirky and historic traditions. “It’s a nice in-between spot for Ohio and Erie without getting too rural.” Girard’s Hagen History Center campus encapsulates the area's lifestyle best. The buttercup-yellow Battles Estate has long been a colorful attraction and museum for agricultural history buffs, but a deeper golden color has drawn more visitors to the surrounding farmland. “They’ve been planting this field of more than a million sunflowers in Girard,” Remache says. “It’s beautiful; it’s become a little hot spot for Instagram selfies.”

The village in Girard offers plenty of owner operated local shops and restaurants.
The village in Girard offers plenty of owner operated local shops and restaurants.
Girard has some great murals made by local artists.
Girard has some great murals made by local artists.
1/2

Historic borough homes and living in the township’s countryside

The borough has grassy residential spaces close to Main Street and Rice Avenue, lined by sidewalks, mature trees and a mix of single-family homes. Older streets often feature Foursquares, National and Victorian houses built from the mid-1800s through the early 1900s. Subdivisions from the 1950s through the 1970s are characterized by ranch-style, split-level and Colonial Revival homes. The township has houses in crossroads villages, in scattered suburban subdivisions or on small acreages between farms and forests. Across both sections of Girard, single-family homes built before 1990 can sell for around $90,000 to $330,000, depending on the condition and property size. Houses built in the last few decades can go for around $220,000 to almost $600,000. Manufactured homes range from around $20,000 to $200,000.

The average home value in Girard is $246,000.
The average home value in Girard is $246,000.
Many home in Girard feature colonial elements.
Many home in Girard feature colonial elements.
1/2

Recreation from Lake Erie’s bluffs to the borough’s youth swim team

Hikers explore miles of forests to find the 90-foot overlook at Erie Bluffs State Park. Kayakers and anglers searching for steelhead trout head to the Elk Creek access point. Farther down the shore, a playground and picnic pavilions perch atop the bluffs at Lake Erie Community Park. “Presque Isle is where all of the tourists tend to go, especially because of its proximity to Waldameer and Erie,” Remache says. “They might stumble onto Girard’s parks, but they’re not advertised enough to out-of-town people for there to be big crowds.” Farther inland, golfers can hit the Over Lake Golf Course. Anglers cast into the pond at Girard Waterworks Park, while athletes hit the sports courts and outdoor swimming pool at Girard Borough Park. The Elk Creek Recreation and Leisure Board hosts programs at local parks and schools, including youth swim and soccer teams.

Girard Borough Park features sport courts and a swimming pool.
Girard Borough Park features sport courts and a swimming pool.
The shoreline near Girard has fascinating views to offer in every season.
The shoreline near Girard has fascinating views to offer in every season.
1/2

Students can earn college credits at Girard High

Girard is served by the Girard School District. Elk Valley Elementary School earns a B-plus from Niche, as does Rice Avenue Middle School. Girard High School scores a B-minus, and offers juniors and seniors the opportunity to take dual enrollment courses at institutions like Pennsylvania Western University, Edinboro.

Elk Valley Elementary School has 553 students.
Elk Valley Elementary School has 553 students.
Girard High School has 505 students.
Girard High School has 505 students.
1/2

Dan Rice Days and other seasonal events

A famous 19th-century performer named Dan Rice once lived in Girard alongside his circus animals. Since the 1960s, the borough has celebrated the ringmaster during the annual Dan Rice Days. For a few days each summer, residents can join a parade, listen to live music and browse food and craft vendor booths in downtown Girard. Locals bring lawn chairs to Lake Erie Community Park for the summertime Music in the Park concert series, and young anglers visit Water Works Park for the spring Kids’ Fishing Derby. Several churches hold services and community events, including Girard United Methodist Church, which serves a monthly free lunch.

Main Street restaurants and businesses in decorative storefronts

U.S. Route 20 becomes Main Street as it bisects Girard. In the borough’s sleepy downtown, Girard Dinor is a mainstay for homestyle breakfasts, lunches and pies. Specialty businesses operate in decorative Victorian commercial buildings, like the studio and gallery space Main Street Art. The Giant Eagle grocery store neighbors a Dollar Tree and fast-food restaurants farther down the road. The Warehouse Sale is hidden away in an unassuming industrial park. “The Warehouse Sale is a really cool overstock store,” Remache says. “They have random things you might not know you need. It’s always worth the trip, because you can find all kinds of things for a steal.”

Main Street Art in Girard is a gallery space right in the village.
Main Street Art in Girard is a gallery space right in the village.
Locals gather at Avonia Tavern for signature smash burgers and seafood platters.
Locals gather at Avonia Tavern for signature smash burgers and seafood platters.
1/2

Erie County highways and commuter hubs

Interstate 90, Route 20 and state Route 5 run through Girard, and all three lead about 20 miles to the city of Erie. People travel to Erie for emergency medical services at Saint Vincent Hospital or UPMC Hamot. Erie International Airport is a shorter drive, roughly 10 miles from home. Residents typically drive to get around, but Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority bus routes also serve the borough and connect to cities like Erie.

Snowstorms bury communities around Lake Erie

Due to its proximity to Lake Erie, Girard experiences heavy lake-effect snowstorms through long, freezing winters. Residents can expect upward of six feet of snow each year, which often impacts commute times until snowplows clear the roads.

Julia Szymanski
Written By
Julia Szymanski
Stefan Ludwig
Photography Contributed By
Stefan Ludwig

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Terry Lazenby, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
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

Parks in this Area

Area Facts

Number of Homes
1,901
Number of Homes for Sale
6
Median Year Built
1966
Months of Supply
1.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,611
Below the national average
1,931
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,452
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
15,245

Homes for Sale

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Girard Has More Owners

Rental Home Trends

Median Single Family Home Rent
$960
Median Condo Rent
$1,735
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,735

Demographics

Total Population
3,153
Median Age
44
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$62,727
Significantly below the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$76,607

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
86.6%
College Graduates
28.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7.6%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
69.2%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
80''

Area Factors

Fairly friendly

Bike Score®®

50 / 100

Somewhat friendly

Walk Score®®

30 / 100

Somewhat friendly

Transit Score®®

30 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

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.
Girard
Terry Lazenby
Marsha Marsh RES Peach
Section Image