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College Heights

College Heights

$558,888 Average Value
$256 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

College Heights has custom houses just 3 miles from downtown

A green oasis sits behind bustling Pennsylvania State University. Its winding roadways mingle with tall maple, dogwood and hawthorn trees. Historic homes built from catalogs and custom designs peek through the dense foliage, giving the area its character. The historic College Heights in State College Borough is entirely residential, except for the red and white cottage-style College Heights Service Station, the county's oldest operating combination gas station and vehicle repair shop. Though a lot of locals aren’t traveling far, since Penn State, the principal employer in the area, is a four- to 10-minute walk, and downtown is a 3-mile drive. “People really like the proximity into town and campus,” says Sandy Stover, a local Realtor with Kissinger Bigatel & Brower Realtors. “That’s why a lot of incoming professors or faculty choose the College Heights neighborhood.” The area was developed for the staff, faculty and students of Penn State and still serves this purpose, though students tend to live downtown or on campus. The neighborhood also attracts retirees looking to settle down in historic homes while still being close to downtown. “It’s not just the university,” says Stover. “We have a large retirement community here also. There’s so much to do in the area. We have people retire here who aren’t alumni. They love the area.”
Students and faculty of College Heights have a 3 mile commute to Penn State Main Campus.
Students and faculty of College Heights have a 3 mile commute to Penn State Main Campus.
Start your morning at Elixir Coffee in Downtown State College near College Heights.
Start your morning at Elixir Coffee in Downtown State College near College Heights.
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'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.
Sit outside your College Heights tudor home and take in green serenity.
Sit outside your College Heights tudor home and take in green serenity.
Classic stone colonials add charm to the streets of College Heights.
Classic stone colonials add charm to the streets of College Heights.
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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.
Parents meet to have kids play together on the jungle gym and swing set at Sunset Park.
Parents meet to have kids play together on the jungle gym and swing set at Sunset Park.
Take beat from daily life at Sunset Park in College Heights.
Take beat from daily life at Sunset Park in College Heights.
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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.
For dinner at home in College Heights, get your groceries at the neighborhood Giant.
For dinner at home in College Heights, get your groceries at the neighborhood Giant.
Sit down to get some work done with gourmet coffee near College Heights at Elixir Coffee.
Sit down to get some work done with gourmet coffee near College Heights at Elixir Coffee.
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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.
Old Main is a historical landmark near College Heights on Penn State's Main Campus built in 1867
Old Main is a historical landmark near College Heights on Penn State's Main Campus built in 1867
College Heights sits in a green oasis behind the bustling Penn State University.
College Heights sits in a green oasis behind the bustling Penn State University.
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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.
Stop and take a picture with the Nittany Lion Shrine on Main Campus near College Heights.
Stop and take a picture with the Nittany Lion Shrine on Main Campus near College Heights.
Walk through gardens to water features in H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens near College Heights.
Walk through gardens to water features in H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens near College Heights.
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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.
State College Area High School teaches 2,410 students in State College, PA.
State College Area High School teaches 2,410 students in State College, PA.
The student to teacher ratio at Park Forest Middle School is 13 to 1.
The student to teacher ratio at Park Forest Middle School is 13 to 1.
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Isabella Pontecorvo
Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
Jesse Roehrer
Photography Contributed By
Jesse Roehrer
Tony Simonetti
Video By
Tony Simonetti

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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 Nik Stover, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

State College Regional

13 min drive

Bus

N Atherton St & Mitchell Ave Inbound

Bus

N Atherton St & Arbor Way

Bus

West Park Ave & North Burrowes St

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

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$401,990
Median Sale Price
$275,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$401,990
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$275,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
1
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-25%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$256

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
644
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1950
Months of Supply
12.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,207
Above the national average
1,924
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
11,761

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

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

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,798
Median Age
42
Population under 18
20.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$138,169
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$171,956

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99.2%
College Graduates
91.3%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
71.7%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
79.8%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
11''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

86 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

55 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

44 / 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
College Heights