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Onondaga Hill

Onondaga Hill

Suburban Neighborhood in Syracuse, New York

Onondaga County 13215

$384,287 Average Value
$172 Average Price per Sq Ft
4 Homes For Sale

Blending a rural feel with suburban conveniences

Rolling hills and woodlands surround the suburban enclave of Onondaga Hill, a hamlet situated in the town of Onondaga just outside of Syracuse. The community’s history dates to the early 19th century when it housed Onondaga County’s first courthouse, transforming rural farmland into a primarily residential community. The neighborhood is named after the land's original occupants, the Onondaga Nation, which translates to People of the Hills. Syracuse native Susan Li says that today, Onondaga Hill is known as an affluent community that blends its rural landscape with modern conveniences. “Onondaga Hill has a distinct suburban feel to it, but there’s also a part of it that feels very country,” says Li, a Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker Prime Properties. Locals here embrace a nature-centric lifestyle while benefitting from proximity to Upstate Community Hospital and Onondaga Community College – all just 5 miles south of downtown Syracuse. Realtor Lori Harrington of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services says access to the hospital is a draw for most residents. “It’s an area that people will flock to if they are doctors or lawyers,” she says. “The short drive to the hospital is what they are looking for, and that’s why many of them move to Onondaga Hill. But you can still be in the country in 12 minutes. It’s just so, so convenient.”

Leafy lots, a variety of home styles and clear streets in the winter

Verdant pine, maple and ash forests provide a natural backdrop to the winding roads and cul-de-sacs of Onondaga Hill. Home styles and sizes span from charming Cape Cods to stately Neo-classical traditional styles. Split-level and ranch-style houses occupy spacious lots with attached garages and driveways. In newer subdivisions, Colonial Revival and custom-built New Traditional homes are spaced well apart, boasting roomy, well-manicured lawns. Generally, prices can range anywhere from $150,000 to just shy of $1 million. Ranch-style, raised ranch-style and Cape Cod homes on the smaller side typically list on the lower end, while Colonial Revivals and New Traditional examples start around $470,000 and go up from there.
Residential streets and thoroughfares are also well-kept, especially in the winter. As a city with some of the nation’s heaviest snowfall, Syracuse plows its streets regularly. “The town and city are top notch when it comes to plowing,” Harrington says. “You look out the window and there’s 6 inches, and an hour later and it’s gone because they’ve already plowed. You never have to worry about getting to work or getting the kids to school.” She adds that while homebuyers should be prepared to pay higher taxes, they will see the benefits. “The first thing I have to talk about when I'm selling to people who aren't from here is the taxes are high,” she says. “But I also tell them our taxes go through a lot of our town and county for that reason.”
In Onondaga Hill, custom-built homes are spaced well apart, boasting spacious yards.
In Onondaga Hill, custom-built homes are spaced well apart, boasting spacious yards.
In Onondaga Hill, homebuyers can expect to pay between $250,000 and $550,000 for a colonial.
In Onondaga Hill, homebuyers can expect to pay between $250,000 and $550,000 for a colonial.
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Open green spaces and recreation at Santaro Park

Onondaga Hill’s parks and green spaces allow residents to take part in a variety of recreational activities. “We have four main parks,” says Charry Lawson, director of Onondaga Parks and Recreation. “And each one is different and unique in its own way. I think people tend to go to the one where they're looking for a certain thing.” Santaro Memorial Park is the town’s largest at 22 acres, featuring pickleball courts, tennis courts, playgrounds and a pavilion available for rent. “There’s also Santaro Town, which is an enclosed area that has a little track,” Lawson says. “Kids can go in there with their little trikes, bikes and rollerblades, and parents like it because they can sit in there and just let the kids do their thing.” The Town of Onondaga’s Parks and Recreation also provides ample opportunity for organized recreation. “We offer recreational programs at our parks, and we have our Senior Center here in the building,” Lawson says. “It’s one of the largest and most used facilities in Onondaga County and it’s been a longest in existence, since 1972.” Programs for all ages run year-round, though Lawson says basketball and other indoor programs are gaining traction.
Conservation Place houses the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, and within a 10-mile radius, there's Clark Reservation State Park and Jamesville Beach Park, which offer additional outdoor and water activities opportunities. Bellevue Country Club on Glenwood Avenue invites golfers to experience its championship 18 holes, exclusive social events and Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Pickleball is a popular sport the whole family can play at Santaro Park in Onondaga Hill.
Pickleball is a popular sport the whole family can play at Santaro Park in Onondaga Hill.
Any day is a good day for a brisk jog at Onondaga Lake Park, not far from Onondaga Hill.
Any day is a good day for a brisk jog at Onondaga Lake Park, not far from Onondaga Hill.
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Strong academics at Westhill Central School District

Schoolchildren may be part of Westhill Central School District, ranked as the No. 4 district in the area. Students in Onondaga Hill may start their academic journey at Walberta Park Primary School, which serves kindergarten and first grade and earns an A-minus from Niche. Second through fourth graders can attend B-plus-rated Cherry Road Elementary School before advancing to Onondaga Hill Middle School, which earns an A-minus. Westhill High School also receives an A-minus score and offers specialized programs like a Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship and the Stamford Agriscience Program, as well as a college preparatory curriculum. The high school boasts over 30 sports teams, including ice hockey and lacrosse, which Harrington says are especially significant to the community. “Hockey and lacrosse are huge sports here,” she says, adding that residents support the local high school teams. “All my friends and their kids play hockey and lacrosse.” The neighborhood is also home to Onondaga Community College, and about 4 miles north is Syracuse University, a private research institution established in 1870.
Cherry Road Elementary near Onondaga Hill is in an urban area but secluded by beautiful trees.
Cherry Road Elementary near Onondaga Hill is in an urban area but secluded by beautiful trees.
Onondaga Community College on Onondaga Hill is known for the bridge that students cross.
Onondaga Community College on Onondaga Hill is known for the bridge that students cross.
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Apple picking in the fall, community events year-round

Li says the enclave and larger surrounding community have events for every month in the year, especially the fall. “The changing of the seasons is spectacular, but the best pastime for fall is apple picking in Lafayette,” she says. Every autumn, branches become heavy laden with a variety of apples in the orchards clustered in the town of Lafayette. The Lafayette Apple Festival takes place every October, attracting crowds for a weekend of apple-themed celebrations, including local artist and craft vendors, food and entertainment. “I loved it when I was a kid and still love it now,” Li says. “You bring the kids, and they love the buggy rides, tractor rides, and then they go pick their own apples. It’s a big thing here and everyone just loves it.”
Closer to home, Santaro Park hosts a summer concert series and a handful of other local community events. Onondaga Community College’s SRC Arena and Events Center comes alive with sports events and campus activities. Residents are also 10 miles from the New York State Fairgrounds, which hosts the New York State Fair, and the Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview along Onondaga Lake, a 17,500-seat open-air concert venue.

Access to highways and Downtown Syracuse

Situated just 4 miles from downtown Syracuse and 10 miles from Syracuse Hancock International Airport, the neighborhood is close to several major highways, including New York 80, US Route 11, Interstate 81 and New York 481. The Centro bus system provides public transit with stops near the Onondaga Community College.

Small-town locales and proximity to big-box retailers

A few locally owned shops and eateries are scattered across the enclave, including Chelsea’s Restaurant, a favorite serving a variety of handhelds and classic American entrees, and Marcellus Nursery, a garden center that blooms with vibrant perennials and cheerful garden ornaments. Other local eateries like Gemelli's Pizzeria and Pita Pita along West Seneca Turnpike offer quick bites after sports or lake activities. Fairmount Fair Mall is 4 miles away and home to big-box stores like Target and Marshalls. Wegmans in nearby Onondaga Plaza sits alongside Goodwill and Blink Fitness and is a convenient spot to pick up everyday essentials. Destiny USA, along Onondaga Lake, is a sprawling mall featuring outlet brands and WonderWorks Destiny, an interactive amusement park.
The Gift Box near Onondaga Hill is a locally-owned gift store selling locally-made items.
The Gift Box near Onondaga Hill is a locally-owned gift store selling locally-made items.
Gemelli's Pizza is one of many pizza shops around the Onondaga Hill area.
Gemelli's Pizza is one of many pizza shops around the Onondaga Hill area.
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Christina von Claparede-Crola
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Christina von Claparede-Crola
Photography Contributed By
Greg Dunbar
Ruo Zheng
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Agents Specializing in this Area

  • Gretchen Metnick

    Gretchen Metnick

    Real Broker NY LLC

    (315) 627-1627

    177 Total Sales

    4 in Onondaga Hill

    $228K - $580K Price Range

    Gretchen Metnick
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  • Nicole Donlin

    Nicole Donlin

    Howard Hanna Real Estate

    (315) 967-5086

    150 Total Sales

    1 in Onondaga Hill

    $292,000 Price

    Nicole Donlin
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  • Susan Li

    Susan Li

    Coldwell Banker Prime Prop,Inc

    (315) 640-3446

    202 Total Sales

    5 in Onondaga Hill

    $260K - $740K Price Range

    Susan Li
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  • Karen Whalen

    Karen Whalen

    Keller Williams Syracuse

    (315) 627-2594

    201 Total Sales

    1 in Onondaga Hill

    $250,000 Price

    Karen Whalen
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  • Ryan Millard

    Ryan Millard

    Coldwell Banker Prime Prop,Inc

    (315) 400-6445

    275 Total Sales

    2 in Onondaga Hill

    $150K - $410K Price Range

    Ryan Millard
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  • Chip Hodgkins

    Chip Hodgkins

    Responds Quickly

    Hunt Real Estate ERA

    (680) 220-4529

    339 Total Sales

    4 in Onondaga Hill

    $180K - $380K Price Range

    Chip Hodgkins
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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
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Gretchen Metnick, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Syracuse Hancock International

21 min drive

Bus

Drive To Van Duyn & Heather French Henry Ave

Bus

Onondaga Rd & Iroquois Ave

Bus

W Seneca Tpke & Broad Rd

Bus

Upstate Hospital & Community General

Bus

Winkworth Pky & Bellevue Ave

Bus

Onondaga Rd & Occ John Mulroy Hall

Bus

Winkworth Pkwy & Juneway Rd

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Onondaga Hill US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 3 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 2 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 2 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Onondaga Hill Demographics and Home Trends

On average, homes in Onondaga Hill, Syracuse sell after 47 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Onondaga Hill, Syracuse over the last 12 months is $365,000, up 21% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$375,000
Median Sale Price
$365,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$372,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
-1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
80
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
21%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$172

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,926
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Median Year Built
1978
Months of Supply
0.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,113
Above the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,903
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
21,780

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

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Homes for Rent

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

Average Home Value

Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
7,428
Median Age
42
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$100,081
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$122,875

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
95.2%
College Graduates
52.6%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
21.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
82''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

26 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

21 / 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.

Learn How Walk Score Works

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Reviews

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New York Onondaga County Syracuse
Onondaga Hill
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
Onondaga Hill
Gretchen Metnick
Real Broker NY LLC Section Image
Gretchen Metnick
Gretchen Metnick
Real Broker NY LLC
Agent experienced in this area
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