In his posthumously published diaries, the famous artist Keith Haring wrote that growing up in Kutztown, there was: “Excessive amounts of love and sanity. Fresh air. Time to contemplate, time to reflect and dream." Set in the rural north of Berks County, with a population of 4,000 people, Kutztown has a quiet American small-town feel, with plenty of fresh air and time to dream. But in the fall, Kutztown University shakes up the quiet life when the population triples with returning students. "It's a small-town community where everyone knows everyone, and we all care about each other," says Janet Youst, the local library director and long-time resident. "And we wouldn't be the town we are without the college students — even if the locals might rejoice when there's more parking in the summer."
Kutztown
Located in Berks County
From student housing to suburban streets
The heart of Kutztown is filled with colorful row homes built in the early 1900s that start at $200,000. Many have Victorian influences and porches that step right out onto the street. Heading south down Main Street, towards the University, properties are more likely to be close together and surrounded by student rentals. Up north, newer homes enjoy tidy lawns set on quiet suburban streets. Mid-century ranch-style homes cost $300,000, and contemporary homes on quarter-acre lots cost around $400,000.
Main Street
Kutztown’s heart is along Main Street, where familiar faces stop to say hi, stores prop open their doors to welcome customers in, and a banner flying overhead advertises the next town celebration. Stop by the independent bookstore Firefly Books for a family game night or create a custom scent at Paisley & Company. Kutztown Tavern has its own house-made beers on tap, and the bar and restaurant K'Town has a lively atmosphere, especially when college is in session. The Letterman's Diner is a beloved local staple, and just down the street, Pop's Malt Shoppe serves up milkshakes in a retro diner with red vinyl booths and a checked floor. There are several mom-and-pop groceries, and every weekend, Renninger's Antique and Farmers' Market offers fresh produce, deli selections, and eclectic merchandise. For bigger brands, Weis and Giant border the town on either side.
70 years of Folk Festivals
Kutztown is home to the oldest continuous folklife festival in the United States. It's a nine-day event that celebrates the Pennsylvania Dutch way of life, with hundreds of food and craft vendors. There's dancing, live demonstrations and a Fourth of July parade with a fireworks show. The central Kutztown Fairgrounds, which includes a dirt racing track, also comes to life during the Kutztown Fair in August and Oktoberfest in the fall. And for smaller local events, Kutztown Park offers free summer concerts at the Bandshell.
Walk to school
Kids in town can start at Kutztown Elementary School, which receives an A-minus grade from Niche. Then it's on to Kutztown Area Middle, rated B. Kutztown Area High, rated B-plus, has a 1-to-1 technology initiative that provides every student with an Apple MacBook Air. All three schools are located right within town. Kutztown University, known for its arts programs, brings young adults to the area every fall. "The KC Presents group put on performances, and overall, the college brings an air of enrichment and sophistication to the area," Youst says.
Outdoor and indoor fun
Kutztown Park is in the quieter residential north and offers shaded lawns and play areas, including a large sand pit. With a wide variety of sports courts, as well as restrooms and a concession stand, the park is the go-to spot for Kutztown's active youth sports groups. North Park sits along Saucony Creek and offers hiking trails through the wilderness. And during the summer, borough residents get discounted passes to the Kutztown Pool. For fun indoors, residents can head to the Kutztown Community Library. "We have stuff for all ages: storytime for the kids, teen Tuesday every week, and the Better with Age senior program," Youst says. "Even the college kids get involved with our internship program."
Regional trains and highways
Hop aboard the Allentown & Auburn Railroad for regional travel with seasonal themes. Kids ride with Santa in the winter, families enjoy picnic train rides, and the Wine and Mead trip is a popular date activity. The railroad follows a round trip through the Berks County countryside, so it’s more of a scenic day trip than a mode of transportation. When residents of Kutztown really need to head out of town, they get on U.S. Route 222 by car, which goes 25 miles into Allentown and 20 miles down to Reading. Bigger city amenities include large employers, hospitals and airports.
Photography Contributed By
Jay Ratchford
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
Agents Specializing in this Area
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Amber Noble
Amber Noble
Keller Williams - Main Street
(848) 279-8837
100 Total Sales
1 in Kutztown
$333,000 Price
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Mark Chaknos
Mark Chaknos
Keller Williams Platinum Realty - Wyomissing
(484) 507-1825
162 Total Sales
2 in Kutztown
$360K - $699K Price Range
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Jerry Buffa
Jerry Buffa
Responds QuicklyColdwell Banker Realty
(484) 878-3654
147 Total Sales
1 in Kutztown
$255,000 Price
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Loren Keim
Loren Keim
Century 21 Keim Realtors
(610) 831-4500
513 Total Sales
1 in Kutztown
$59,000 Price
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Nancy Bischoff
Nancy Bischoff
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Valley Partners
(848) 281-0796
87 Total Sales
1 in Kutztown
$549,900 Price
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Moises Romero
MR
Moises Romero
Responds QuicklyRealty One Group Supreme
(610) 871-5656
31 Total Sales
1 in Kutztown
$77,900 Price
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
- K to 5th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- 9th to 12th
- Public
Kutztown Housing Trends
On average, homes in Kutztown, PA sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Kutztown, PA over the last 12 months is $310,000, down 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$349,000
Median Sale Price
$310,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$332,450
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
88
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-$10
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$177
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes for Sale
18
Months of Supply
2.50
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Distribution of Home Values
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
Kutztown Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
4,433
Median Age
37
Population under 18
21.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$49,869
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$71,675
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
36.9%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
15.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
18''
