Suburban vibes just moments from the state capital
Sitting in a pocket of serenity, Oberlin is a blended neighborhood of homes that reflect the many generations of regional growth, from late 19th century farming country to the post World War II boom, now undergoing a third growth period of modern apartments and townhomes. “It’s very quiet,” says real estate agent Brenda Garcia of Weichert Realtors. “You know all of your neighbors, and it’s a very friendly atmosphere.” Yet the neighborhood sits alongside major arteries that take blue and white-collar workers throughout the region, making it a popular settling spot for the workforce that makes the state capital of Harrisburg and the industry of the surrounding region work.
Oberlin is a quiet and peaceful neighborhood outside of Harrisburg.
Oberlin carries a range of homes priced well for many residents in the area.
1/2
Three major routes on the doorstep
One of the amenities that draws people to Oberlin is the direct access to major routes – Interstates 83 and 283, as well as the Pennsylvania Turnpike, can be accessed in moments from anywhere in the neighborhood. This makes commuting to jobs in and around Harrisburg more convenient than many nearby neighborhoods without access, Garcia indicates. However, these routes can become congested at rush hours, and are among the busiest in central Pennsylvania. Oberlin is car-dependent and not particularly bikeable, nor does it have quality public transit, with only a handful of Capital Area Transit (CAT) bus stops in the neighborhood. Harrisburg International Airport is only 8 miles away, with five airlines providing service across the country.
Oberlin has proximity to the Capitol Beltway and Route 283 for easy drives to Harrisburg.
CAT Buses help Oberlin residents to easily explore the Harrisburg capital region.
1/2
Outdoor greenspaces and indoor sweating
Surrounded by thickets of trees, Ivy Ridge Park features a playground and a wide-open grassy field, typically used for youth sports leagues including soccer and flag football. When there are no games, it’s a great place to get some fresh air and have a picnic, either on the field or under the pavilion. On the other end of town, Robert W. Horner Memorial Park has a playground as well as a ball field and basketball court. Residents looking to get a workout in can hit up nearby Planet Fitness or Orangetheory Fitness.
Locals can get out and play at the Ivy Ridge Park in Oberlin.
Horner Memorial Park features a great basketball court for children in Oberlin.
1/2
No need to fear – Underdog is here!
Oberlin is a residential area, but it’s surrounded by strips of stores and dining. The Harrisburg Mall is home to dozens of national retail stores including Bass Pro Shop, the mall's main anchor store, as well as a food court. High Pointe Commons shopping center is home to JCPenney and Target, the nearest grocery stop – a number of Giant food stores are within driving distance however. There are plenty of national chain restaurants nearby, but locals know that grabbing a breakfast or brunch at the Capitol Diner is the right move – it’s a Harrisburg stalwart that has been a meeting place since 1940. Underdog Sports Bar and grille lives up to its name, a small local sports bar fighting and winning against the chain sports bars pushing into the space, while the nearby Lancaster Brewing Company is an outpost of the Lancaster-based brewery also known for elevated brewpub fare.
Bass Pro Shops welcomes outdoor enthusiasts at the Harrisburg Mall in Oberlin.
The Harrisburg Mall is a one-stop spot for retail needs just outside Oberlin.
1/2
Quality public and private options
The Central Dauphin School District serves students in Oberlin. “I went there and I liked it,” says Garcia, “it was a really good experience. I have family members that go there now, and they like it too.” Students start at Tri-Community Elementary School, then head on to Swatara Middle School, both of which are rated as C-plus schools by Niche. Central Dauphin East High Senior High School, with a B-plus grade from Niche, is known for having extensive extracurricular options including a robust music program. Private options include St. Catherine Laboure, Harrisburg Catholic diocese schools, and The Worship Academy School of the Arts.
Tri-Community Elementary School in Oberlin has a close drop-off zone for kids.
Central Dauphin East Senior High School serves grades 9-12 with an overall B+ on Niche.com.
1/2
Kipona Fest is a capital region highlight
As with many residential areas, Oberlin doesn’t host events – instead, residents head into Harrisburg to enjoy everything the capital has to offer. Artsfest is a three-day event every May in Riverfront Park, with a juried show as well as vendors, a flea market, live entertainment and food trucks. City Island is a hub of events, from Harrisburg Senators games to concerts and more. The most unique event, however, is the annual Kipona Festival that runs the first weekend in September, celebrating the blend of cultures that have created the region with family-friendly activities.
Generations of housing intermingle
Oberlin’s location has made it increasingly popular and combined with relatively affordable home prices for the region, leads to homes staying on market for under half the time as the national average, Garcia notes. The growth of the region has created an eclectic mix of homes – Colonial-revival twins and two-story traditional from the late 1800s share streets with post-war Cape Cods and split levels, as modern traditional townhouses and low-rise apartment blocks continue to spring up along tree-lined streets. Older single-family homes regularly sell for between $150,000 and $250,000, while newer townhouses often sell in the range of $200,000 to $300,000. Single-family homes from the late 20th century and the latest custom-build homes can fetch up to $450,000 on the market.
Twin Colonials are charming and affordable for hard-wrking locals in Oberlin.
Split homes with generous yard size are a delight to come home to in Oberlin.
1/2
Flooding concerns and emergency response
Located within the Susquehanna River floodplain, some parts of Oberlin must be aware of flooding risk. While set back far enough from the river to avoid smaller incidents, tropical storms and rapid snowmelts can cause issues in low-lying streets and properties. Local emergency crews are prepared for water rescues – and emergency treatment isn’t far away, with UPMC Harrisburg only 4 miles from the neighborhood.
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
Jared Knaub,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Robert W. Horner Memorial Park
Transit
Airport
Harrisburg International
11 min drive
Bus
Main St & Summit St
Bus
Hanshue St & N Harrisburg St
Bus
Hanshue St & Dewey St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Oberlin
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Oberlin Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Oberlin, Harrisburg sell after 41 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Oberlin, Harrisburg over the last 12 months is $193,000, up 15% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$193,000
Median Sale Price
$193,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$193,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
15%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$121
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
198
Median Year Built
1910
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,574
Below the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,751
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jared Knaub,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
835
Median Age
42
Population under 18
22.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$67,173
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$77,877
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.8%
College Graduates
5.4%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.2%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
25°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
16''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
26/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
27/ 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.
