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Douglass

Douglass

Neighborhood in Middletown, Ohio

Butler County 45044

$106,636 Average Value
$117 Average Price per Sq Ft

Outdoor recreation and century-old homes in Douglass

Families gather in Douglass Park for outdoor movies on summer nights in Middletown, Ohio. The park spans nearly 30 acres and shares a name with the surrounding neighborhood. Except for a few churches and a recruiting office for the National Guard, Douglass is primarily residential. Cottages date back to the early 20th century, and the Great Miami River offers waterfront recreation a few blocks away. The area went through its fair share of difficulties after AK Steel officially left town in the early 2000s, resulting in empty homes and shrinking populations, but there have been plenty of recent changes thanks to organizations like Downtown Middletown, Inc. The nonprofit is responsible for planning free family movie nights, including the one in Douglass Park. “Every time I visit, I see something fresh, whether it’s a charming boutique, a cozy café or a beautifully restored building,” says Victoria Torgersen of Comey & Shepherd.

More renters than buyers, comparatively affordable homes and 20th-century architecture

Approximately 80% of Douglass's population rents, and the remaining 20% own homes. Prospective buyers will find bungalows, Cape Cods and small ranch-style houses constructed in the first half of the 20th century and some prior to World War I. Lot sizes are relatively compact, and cars park in detached garages or narrow driveways. Prices start around $65,000 for investment properties, and more recently renovated houses can sell for upwards of $150,000. The median price for a single-family home in Douglass is under $115,000, a fraction of the national median close to $400,000.

Amenities in Douglass Park and biking along the Great Miami River Trail

Douglass's namesake park is also its largest. There’s a splash pad, basketball and tennis courts, a playground and picnic shelters. Residents reserve plots at the community garden or attend outdoor events like Movies in the Park. A few blocks away, Washington Park has open field space, and the neighborhood is also intersected by a portion of the Great Miami River Trail. “They’ve got a bike trail that goes all the way up into Dayton,” says Hobbs, who’s lived in the area his whole life. The 90-mile-plus long trail, which starts in Middletown, brings bike traffic to the small city.

The Early College Academy in high school and community center opportunities

Students in the neighborhood learn at Rosa Park Elementary, Highview 6th Grade Center and Middletown Middle School, and all earn C-minus grades from Niche. Middletown High School, the alma mater of Vice President JD Vance, has a C. Students in the Early College Academy can take classes at Miami University’s Middletown Campus, and soccer and football players play under the lights at Barnitz Stadium, less than a mile from Douglass Park. There are also after-school programs and evening classes offered by Community Building Institute Middletown, Inc. (CBI) at the Robert “Sonny” Hill Jr. Community Center.

Commuting to larger cities via I-75 and manufacturing jobs closer to Douglass

Along with its comparative affordability, one of Douglass's primary appeals is its position as a midway point between Dayton and Cincinnati. The former is about 27 miles north along Interstate 75, and the latter is about 35 miles south. It takes less than an hour to reach both, and, in Hobbs’ estimation, about 50% of residents commute for work. Others work at local manufacturers, and Midd Cities Industrial Park is a few blocks from Douglass. The nearest airport is Dayton International, although the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport offers more direct flight options across the Ohio River. Atrium Medical Center is about 6 miles from Douglass.

Downtown dining and entertainment and grocery shopping along South Main Street

“We’re a former steel town in the middle of an upswing,” says Hobbs, explaining that, although “things got a little slow during COVID,” they’re picking up again, especially downtown. The historic city center, which is a 2-mile drive from Douglass, is home to a growing number of restaurants, mom and pop shops and entertainment venues. The Sorg Opera House, which first opened as a silent movie theater in the late 1800s, was renovated and reopened in 2017. “When they restored it, they left it old school,” says Hobbs, who recommends the Swire Inn for dinner across the street. The cozy restaurant is known for its burgers and supposedly haunted history — it's a stop on local ghost tours. Grocery shoppers can drive to the Kroger on South Main, and there’s also a Dollar General for household necessities along the way.

Higher-than-average crime scores and flooding beside the river

Douglass’s CAP Index Crime Score is higher than the national average of 4 out of 10. The neighborhood receives a 7 out of 10, and some violent crime rates are as high as a 9. Although, the FBI reports that overall crime rates are decreasing in Middletown. In general, Coldwell Banker Heritage Bill Hobbs says this is the type of place where people keep an eye out for one another. “I can look out my front door and name you every person I see on the street… If something looks a little strange, you’ll typically get a call from someone in the neighborhood.” Due to the neighborhood's riverfront location, it's relatively common for residents to receive flood advisories.
Sara Caskey
Written By
Sara Caskey
Tim Nightengale
Photography Contributed By
Tim Nightengale

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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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Harold Brown, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

James M Cox Dayton International

56 min drive

Bus

Main & Elm Grove Apts

Bus

Minnesota St & Douglas Park

Bus

Minnesota St & Sixteenth Ave

Bus

Main St & Eighteenth Ave

Bus

Lafayette Ave And Trailbridge Apts

Bus

Minnesota St & Fifteenth Ave

Bus

Lafayette Ave And Minnesota St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Douglass US
Homicide 10 4
Sexual Assault 8 4
Assault with Weapon 9 4
Robbery 8 4
Burglary 7 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 7 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Douglass Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$120,627
Median Sale Price
$112,255
Median Single Family Sale Price
$112,255
Median Change From 1st List Price
10%
Last 12 months Home Sales
8
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
3%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$117

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
271
Median Year Built
1948
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,050
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,096
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Harold Brown, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
1,786
Median Age
28
Population under 18
38.8%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.8%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$23,676
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$30,544

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
67.7%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
2%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0.7%
% Population in Labor Force
61.2%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
7''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

39 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

11 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

25 / 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.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Douglass