College Heights
'Charming properties' in College Heights, on the National Register of Historic Districts
John Krumrine’s three-story 1852 red-brick farmhouse stands tall on the corner of Ridge Avenue and Burrowes. This is the oldest building in the area and reminds locals that College Heights was once an endless swath of rural farmland. Later, homes were built from pattern books and using mail-order kits, while local architects customized and designed others. This resulted in a variety of custom and antique styles throughout the area, with no two houses looking alike. “People like the historic houses,” says Stover. “College Heights has very charming properties. They’re all different.” In 1995, College Heights was added to the National Register of Historic Districts because of its 278 vintage buildings. Foursquare, split-level, minimal traditional and Cape Cod styles range from $360,000 to $650,000. Prairie, postmodern, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival and custom or updated homes range from $700,000 to over $1 million.Sunset Park built on old farmland
College Heights was built on iron and agriculture. James Irvin and Moses Thompson, ironmasters at Centre Furnace, the first charcoal iron furnace in Centre County, were the original owners of the farmland that was later divided into smaller plots and owned by John and Frederick Krumrine and Henry Hartswick. These farms would become College Heights. The Hartswick family would continue to add to the community by donating land for Sunset Park, which residents later bought and expanded in 1982. The green space has a play structure, covered picnic tables, a basketball court and a baseball field. Nearby, the Bellefonte Rail Trail and the Gerhold Wildflower Trail, part of The Arboretum at Penn State, allow hikers to walk through springtime wildflower blooms, past century-old trees and along the Bellefonte Central Railroad, which used to connect the Bellefonte Borough to State College. The wildflower trail concludes at the Penn State H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens, a collection of gardens and water features for locals to explore.Shopping on North Atherton and dining downtown
North Atherton Street bisects the area and is lined with strip malls and chain retailers for groceries and a quick meals. “For grocery shopping and big box stores, North Atherton is where you would go,” says Stover. “In downtown, you’re looking for more boutique or specialty shops.” Groceries are available at Aldi and Giant, but Wegmans is one of the more popular grocery stores in the area, says Stover. In downtown, residents may visit the family-owned Sowers Harvest Café for coffee and baked goods or settle in a cozy armchair with a cup of coffee and a new book at Webster’s Bookstore Café. Kokoro and Tadashi Japanese Restaurant serves sushi and ramen, while Champs Downtown serves classic American pub food.Penn State football, concerts in Beaver Stadium
Penn State football has always been a popular pastime at State College. Beaver Stadium, the second largest stadium in the country, is always packed and rowdy during football season as locals cheer on the Nittany Lions. When discussing events in State College, locals always mention country music star Luke Combs' concert that took over the stadium in spring 2024 for the venue’s second concert ever.Residents can buy fresh produce and artisan goods at the Downtown State College Farmers Market on Locust Lane from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Friday from May through November. Those wanting to explore College Heights may take a self-guided walking tour of the neighborhood and learn about the historic homes. Walking tour guides can be found on the State College Borough website. Religious services may be found at State College Church of Christ, State College Korean Church and Wellspring Church.
Walkable community bisected by Atherton Street
North Atherton Street is a main roadway in the community and connects to Interstate 99 and the Mount Nittany Expressway for those traveling outside the borough. While Atherton Street can be busy, it is relatively quiet. “Atherton is a main artery through town, but right now there’s road construction, which isn’t ideal, but nothing too crazy,” says Stover. The residential area is walkable with wide sidewalks bordered by grassy curbs. Most residents can get to work and local amenities either on foot or with a short drive. Bus stops line Atherton Street, and the State College Regional Airport is 6 miles away.Colorful parking spaces for seniors at State College Area High
State College Area School District, which receives an A-plus from Niche, serves College Heights and is listed as the best school district in Centre County. Children may attend Radio Park Elementary School, which receives an A-plus, and Forest Middle School, which receives an A. Students advance to State College Area High School, which receives an A-plus. At the second annual State High Senior Parking Space Painting event, incoming seniors reconnect with classmates and tap into their artistic side while customizing their parking spaces with paint and chalk before the start of the school year.


Agents Specializing in this Area
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Nik Stover
Responds QuicklyKissinger, Bigatel & Brower
(814) 808-0735
41 Total Sales
1 in College Heights
$365,000 Price
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James Bradley
Keller Williams Advantage Realty
(814) 264-3150
140 Total Sales
4 in College Heights
$450K - $555K Price Range
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Lorraine Spock
Keller Williams Advantage Realty
(814) 808-0782
88 Total Sales
2 in College Heights
$450K - $543K Price Range
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Lindsey Byers
Responds QuicklyKissinger, Bigatel & Brower
(814) 482-2501
183 Total Sales
1 in College Heights
$379,000 Price
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Megan Kennington
Kissinger, Bigatel & Brower
(814) 907-3273
34 Total Sales
1 in College Heights
$735,000 Price
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Erin Calandra-Witmer
Kissinger, Bigatel & Brower
(814) 264-3311
200 Total Sales
1 in College Heights
$639,000 Price
Schools
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Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | College Heights | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 1 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
Robbery | 2 | 4 |
Burglary | 3 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 2 | 4 |
Larceny | 4 | 4 |
Crime Score | 3 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
College Heights Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in College Heights, State College sell after 18 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in College Heights, State College over the last 12 months is $275,000, down 25% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
Some Transit
Transit 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods

Shady streets and cul-de-sacs within walking distance of downtown and Penn State

Mature trees shade the neighborhood’s historic 20th-century homes

Great schools, townhouses and condos 2 miles from downtown State College

Great schools and midcentury homes a mile from Penn State University

Cul-de-sacs and great schools just a mile from Penn State

Great schools and mountainside living, 4 miles from downtown State College