$277,342Average Value$165Average Price per Sq Ft10Homes For Sale
Railroad neighborhood grows into a thriving suburban community
Throughout the 20th century, new suburban communities grew alongside a large railroad hub built about five miles east of Pennsylvania’s state capital at the turn of the century. More than 100 years later, the Rutherford Yard and the neighborhood named for it testify to America’s grit and classic community spirit. “It’s always been a close-knit community,” says local business owner and Rutherford native Steven Wirt, whose father – like many who put roots down in Rutherford – worked on the railroad. Local Realtor Joy Daniels says of the neighborhood: “It’s a clean community with mature, beautiful trees, and it is in the suburbs to the City of Harrisburg, making it convenient to everything.”
Big box retailers and local eateries serving diverse dishes
Paralleling the Rutherford Train Yard and Route 322, Derry Street constitutes the neighborhood’s main commercial thoroughfare. Unassuming shopping centers and office buildings line the road, filled with eateries, shops and local businesses. Establishments like Guras Spice House and Saru Grocery specialize in Indian and Nepalese cuisines and products, and other grocery essentials can be picked up at the Swatara Square shopping center on Paxton Street, with options like Giant, Aldi, Walmart and Sam’s Club. Big box retailers and familiar chain restaurants are found closer to Harrisburg. Closer to home, residents frequent staples like The Pour House on Derry and The Wharf, a bar and grill that has been a neighborhood watering hole since 1976.
Small traditional home styles and larger new construction
Cape Cods, bungalows and midcentury ranch-style houses line the suburban streets here, many featuring sizable backyards and lawns. Daniels notes that homes here tend to be smaller compared to surrounding neighborhoods. Still, newly built contemporary styles in recently developed subdivisions can reach up to 4,000 square feet. Home prices typically range from $130,000 for a small brick Cape Cod to New Traditional homes built in the last few years for $500,000. Wirt says neighbors maintain close ties and friendly relations: “On my block, some of us share snowblowers,” he says. “People who have little gardens will exchange or give out vegetables and fruits. We all look out for each other.”
Central Dauphin County academics and faith-based options
Central Dauphin School District serves students of Rutherford. Kids may start their education at the centrally located Rutherford Elementary School, which earns a B-minus overall grade from Niche. Exceptional students at the school can earn tokens and redeem books from the school’s book vending machine. Students advance to C-plus-rated Central Dauphin East Middle School before finishing at Central Dauphin East Senior High School, which receives a B-plus overall score from Niche with high marks in college preparation and sports as well. Just west of the neighborhood, Bishop McDevitt High School offers a private, faith-based education. “One of the biggest reasons to live in one of these communities is the proximity to the Bishop McDevitt Catholic High School,” Daniels says. The highly rated school serves only 600 students and maintains an A-minus Niche grade.
Pocket parks and recreation at Kohl Memorial Park
Pocket neighborhood parks are scattered throughout Rutherford. Wirt says many of these spaces are respected and well cared for, citing recent upgrades to the playground equipment at Earl Long Memorial Park and Rutherford Elementary. Folks engage in basketball games at the nearby Hodges Heights Park, and kids enjoy the playground at Margie McNaughton Memorial Park. In neighboring Lawnton, Kohl Memorial Park features additional playgrounds, sporting fields and trails. The park is also home to Happy Trails Dog Park, where canine companions are free to play among the dog-friendly obstacles.
Diverse events to celebrate a diverse community
Rutherford’s diverse community is celebrated through the many houses of worship that host events for the public. The neighborhood is home to one of Harrisburg’s only Hindu temples, the Shree Laxmi Narayan Temple, as well as a handful of evangelical and Christian churches. The various places of worship host community events such as pasta dinners, paint nights, and seasonal celebrations and festivals. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, a cultural center dedicated to the spiritual traditions of bhakti yoga, is also located in Rutherford and leads weekly programs and morning meditations.
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
Are you familiar with the Rutherford neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Rutherford
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
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Rutherford Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Rutherford, Harrisburg sell after 16 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Rutherford, Harrisburg over the last 12 months is $237,000, down 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This charming ranch-style home, built in 1952 and beautifully renovated in 2011, offers a perfect blend of classic appeal and modern comfort. With 2 spacious bedrooms and 1full bathrooms, this residence is designed for both relaxation and functionality. Step inside to discover gleaming hardwood and vinyl flooring throughout, complemented by a traditional floor plan that enhances the flow of
Welcome Home. This beautiful 3 bedroom 1 bath in a quite neighborhood have lots to offer. Nicely done kitchen, fireplace in the living room. A partially finished lower level and an oversized backyard make this house a must see. Professional pictures we be loaded Wednesday 29th at night.
RICHARD HEINBAUGHBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty
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