$95,091Average Value$331Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
South Allison Hill’s eclectic landscape offers a low cost of living
Overlooking the city of Harrisburg from its namesake hilltop location, South Allison Hill is an urban enclave with an eclectic mix of properties. Church steeples peek over brick townhouses, and small businesses represent the multinational makeup of the residents. Part of the larger Allison Hill community, South Allison Hill has the lowest average home value in the city, attracting residents and business owners seeking a low cost of living in Pennsylvania’s capital. “Our price point is very low here, but it was really low prior to COVID,” says Wendell Hoover, Realtor at Iron Valley Real Estate in Harrisburg. As housing and rent prices have rapidly increased since the pandemic, the area has started to see more investors pick up properties in the neighborhoods, Hoover says. “Prices vary block by block, to a degree. There are preconceived notions about certain areas, but there is a lot of renovation you would have never seen before.”
Fixer-uppers and move-in-ready properties from the early 20th century
As in Allison Hill, most of the housing in South Allison Hill was built in the early 1900s, with brick rowhouses and duplexes among the most common styles. Brick apartment buildings are also typical. “Most people don’t know the difference or care between Allison Hill or South Allison Hill,” Hoover says. “People who have lived there for a while know the difference, but it won’t really affect [home] values.” Properties that need extensive rehabbing sell for as low as $5,000 to $10,000. Move-in-ready properties, some of which have been renovated, usually go for between $50,000 and $150,000.
Brick rowhouses are one of the more common style of housing found in South Allison Hill.
Colorful homes dot the residential streets of South Allison Hill.
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Local businesses along Derry Street serve global tastes
Corner stores, locally owned restaurants, churches and organizations intermingle with the neighborhood’s residences, offering convenience and walkability for locals. Derry Street has a concentration of businesses, including international grocers like Hajmas African Market and La Estrella Mexican Store. The street also has restaurants such as Tacos Mi Tierra, a casual Mexican eatery, and Golden Star Restaurant, a Chinese-takeout spot. A supermarket, Giant, is less than 2 miles east.
International food markets such as Ajoke African Food Market line Derry Street in South Allison Hill.
Tacos Mi Tierra is a popular lunch spot in South Allison Hill serving up traditional Mexican fare.
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Several nonprofit organizations host events and offer resources
Community centers offer resources and host events in and around South Allison Hill. The Latino Hispanic American Community Center, located on Derry Street in the neighborhood, connects residents with bilingual and immigration services, among others. It also distributes food and offers development programs for area seniors and Latino students. The group held its 14th-annual Hispanic Heritage Festival in September 2024. Nearby, the Central Allison Hill Community Center has workforce development programs, youth services and an event space. Other organizations, such as Wildheart Ministries, host get-togethers like street cleaning days, seasonal block parties and an annual Harvest Party with local vendors, train rides and free food. Wildheart Ministries also created The Hill Farm, a community-run garden on South 18th Street.
The Latino Hispanic American Community Center connects South Allison Hill residents with bilingual and immigration services.
Wildheart Ministries teamed up with local volunteers to recently create the Heart of the Community Garden in South Allison Hill.
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The Capital Area Greenbelt Trail goes through Reservoir Park
Reservoir Park has green space just east of South Allison Hill. Set on a hill overlooking the city below, this park has a newly renovated playground, grassy lawns and basketball courts. It's also home to the National Civil War Museum. The Capital Area Greenbelt Trail spans 20 miles around Harrisonburg, taking pedestrians and cyclists through the park and along the city’s waterfront.
Reservoir Park is the oldest and largest municipal public park in Harrisburg, covering more than 85 acres.
Families can learn all about the Civil War at the Civil War National Museum located within Reservoir Park.
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Harrisburg School District serves South Allison Hill
Several elementary schools serve the neighborhood, including Downey and Ben Franklin. Both schools earn C-minus grades from Niche. Most students continue to C-minus-rated Camp Curtin Academy for sixth grade, D-plus-rated Rowland Academy for seventh and eighth grade, and C-minus-rated Harrisburg High School through 12th grade. Harrisburg High has a B-plus score in Niche’s athletic category, as the school has nearly two dozen sports teams and a varsity football program consistently ranked among the top 20 high school teams in Pennsylvania.
There are several alternative school options nearby. “We have more families that live in the city than we used to, because we have a lot of non-traditional school options,” Hoover says. Cougar Academy is a C-minus-rated magnet school for kindergartners through 12th graders, and the A-rated Capital Area School for the Arts Charter School serves high schoolers.
Downey Elementary School is a highly diverse public school located in Harrisburg, PA with a student population of around 385.
Harrisburg High School is home to 1,375 students and 122 full time teachers.
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Getting around Harrisburg by bus or car
Capital Region buses stop along Derry and Market streets in South Allison Hill, with routes 1 and 17 taking riders to downtown Harrisburg, The Point Shopping Center, Hamilton Health Center, UPMC Community Osteopathic Hospital and more destinations. Harrisburg International Airport is 8 miles southeast, and Interstate 83 borders the neighborhood to the south.
South Allison Hill has a CAP Index Crime Score of 7, above the national average of 4, with some violent crimes scoring higher.
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
Adrian Young,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Transit
Airport
Harrisburg International
16 min drive
Bus
S 13th St & Chestnut St
Bus
Derry St & S 15th St
Bus
Derry St & S 13th St
Bus
Market St & 18th St
Bus
Derry St & S 17th St
Bus
S 13th St & Swatara St
Bus
Christian St & Mulberry St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
South Allison Hill
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
8
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
7
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
South Allison Hill Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in South Allison Hill, Harrisburg sell after 50 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in South Allison Hill, Harrisburg over the last 12 months is $399,240, up 25% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
2 unit investment property! Both units are currently vacant. The first floor unit (accessed from the side of the building) is ready to be lived in and features one bedroom and one bathroom. The 2nd floor unit (accessed from the front of the building) has 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms and is ready for your renovations to bring it to its full potential. Both units are section 8 approved and were
Attention Investors! Beautifully renovated Rental home so close to the Train & Bus Station, Strawberry Square and the Capitol. Currently RENTED. Rental term is 6 months and ends at the end of September 2025 at $1300/mo. Current Tenants need advance notice 24hrs -48hrs needed Pics are prior to tenant moving in officially April 1st.Owner Financing Available (Short Term)
Discover a prime investment opportunity in the heart of Dauphin County with this charming end-of-row townhouse, built in 1900 and brimming with potential. Spanning 2,016 square feet, this property features six spacious bedrooms and two full bathrooms, making it an ideal candidate for rental income or a profitable flip. The traditional brick exterior exudes timeless appeal, while the average
Come check out our newly renovated one-three bedroom apartment homes. Conveniently located in the heart of the Allison Hill neighborhood, with tons of public transportation nearby and a plethora of local businesses to visit. Our Harrisburg apartment rentals combine a wonderful setting with all of the amenities you expect at a price you can afford. Apply Now! -
Huge single family home, newly renovated with brand new floors, fixtures, counter tops. 2 minutes away from downtown. Washer dryer hookups. READY FOR MOVE IN. Surrounded by brand new apartment complexes.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Adrian Young,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
6,992
Median Age
32
Population under 18
32.1%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.3%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$42,658
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$54,209
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
73%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
13.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.6%
% Population in Labor Force
69.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
25°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
16''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
52/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
80/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
46/ 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.
