Civic Betterment
Neighborhood in Washington, District of Columbia
District of Columbia 20019
1940s era Cape Cods and brick townhouses
Home values in Civic Betterment range from $300,000 to $625,000, varying by age, remodel status and square footage. The average home price in the D.C. metro area is around $619,000. World War II-era brick rowhouses and duplexes comprise most of the housing market and feature painted facades, colorful awnings and stylized fences. Most properties have modest vertical lawn space in the backyards, which is a rarity for homes of this price range in the District. There are also wide, grid-patterned alley streets that allow for more parking availability behind homes. There are also occasional detached Cape Cod homes and multi-unit properties here. Melissa Melendez, a Realtor with the Keller Williams EmpowerHome Team, says, "If you're looking for future equity, this is a great time to buy low and see your investment grow." Melendez also pointed out that some homes may need some TLC, "...if you have $20,000 or $30,000 to put into renovations on an older home, give it two or three years, and you're going to have outstanding equity in this area of D.C."Woody Ward Rec Center is newly renovated
Woody Ward Recreation Center is the neighborhood's main green space and underwent an $11 million renovation in 2021. This facility now has a boxing ring, a modern fitness center, an upgraded dance room, a multi-purpose space with projectors and an arts and creativity room. Outside is a dragon-themed playground for children, a pool where folks can sign up for swimming lessons, a baseball diamond, and basketball and tennis courts. There's also a paved trail around the rec center for a leisurely dog walk or bike ride. Residents can also venture a few blocks west to Fort Dupont, a National Park featuring over 10 miles of walking trails. There's also the Fort Dupont Community Gardens, where residents 18 and older can reserve a plot of land to plant fruits, vegetables and herbs. Fletcher Johnson Recreation Center was once a middle school, but now, folks play on its basketball and tennis courts and turf field, where minor league flag football teams often practice.D.C. Public Schools and nearby charter options
Students can attend District of Columbia Public Schools like C.W. Harris Elementary, with a C-minus overall rating on Niche. They can then go to Kelly Miller Middle School, rated a C, and finish at the C-minus rated H.D. Woodson High School. Many families choose local charter, private or alternative schools because of their exceptional academic opportunities. For example, nearby Bard High School Early College DC offers students the opportunity to simultaneously earn their high school diploma and an associate in arts degree from Bard College at no cost.Locals drive to Downtown or explore Prince George's County
Folks generally need a car to reach retail centers and employers. Downtown D.C. is less than 9 miles from Civic Betterment, along Interstate 695. Traffic across the Anacostia River into downtown is notoriously dense around rush hour. The Maryland border is just across Southern Avenue SE, so locals are a street away from Prince George's County for commutes to work or points of interest like NFL games at FedEx Field, 5 miles east or National Harbor, 11 miles south. The Capitol Heights metro station is the closest to Civic Betterment, less than 2 miles north, and offers Blue and Yellow line access through the greater D.C. area. Metrobuses also line Benning Road SE and Fitch Street SE for more public transit between the metro stations and home.Bird's Kitchen has crab cake sandwiches
Civic Betterment and the Marshall Heights area do not have many insulated options for groceries or dining. Still, there are takeout spots like Bird's Kitchen, which serves gourmet burgers, "Saucy Wings," and its signature "As-Is" crab cake sandwich. Residents can travel along Benning Road SE across the Maryland border to the Carol Hills Shopping Center in minutes to get groceries from Shoppers. Benning Road SE also leads north to the bustling East River Park Shopping Center and Minnesota Avenue Corridor in 10 minutes or less.Civic Betterment's history and future
Civic Betterment and much of the Marshall Heights area are among D.C.'s original historically Black communities. The area started as a more rural hamlet. Still, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt's visit to the community in 1935 spurred urban development and the construction of sewer lines and connection to the city's water supply. A series of redevelopment clashes between residents and the city would occur for the next few decades, as locals did not want to be priced out by more expensive properties coming in. This is why many of the original brick rowhouses and duplexes from the 1940s remain on the market. Civic Betterment became a popular landing spot for African American veterans following World War II and many fleeing the Jim Crow South. Fletcher Johnson Campus also has historic significance for locals, as it was once Payne's Cemetery, a burial ground for African Americans dating back to the 1850s. Keith Hasan-Towery, former Chair of the Marshall Heights Civic Association, says, "The cemetery was abandoned [when] that land turned into Fletcher Johnson campus." Though it is a popular place to exercise in town, the community's vision for the future involves redeveloping Fletcher Johnson Rec Center into a mixed-use center with retail, an urgent care clinic and new apartments and townhouses. However, these plans have yet to be approved by developers. Hasan-Towery says, "We wanted to see something happen there that would encourage economic development, care for infant health, elderly health, affordable housing options for purchase, as well as have a little more rental units for families and larger families [who need] more than two bedrooms."
Written By
Maxwell Olarinde
Photography Contributed By
Jack Adams
Video By
Christian Gortler
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Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Ressie Wallace Wilson
Ressie Wallace Wilson
RE/MAX Allegiance
(877) 451-5957
77 Total Sales
1 in Civic Betterment
$380,000 Price
-
Kiona Simon
Kiona Simon
Responds QuicklySamson Properties
(202) 978-4516
52 Total Sales
2 in Civic Betterment
$245K - $409K Price Range
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Donte Wade
Donte Wade
Responds QuicklyCENTURY 21 New Millennium
(240) 363-1045
51 Total Sales
1 in Civic Betterment
$290,000 Price
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Ericka S. Black, Realtor
Ericka S. Black, Realtor
Responds QuicklyColdwell Banker Realty - Washington
(202) 952-8401
155 Total Sales
1 in Civic Betterment
$550,000 Price
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NORMAN HARVEY
NORMAN HARVEY
Samson Properties
(855) 933-3535
78 Total Sales
3 in Civic Betterment
$370K - $446K Price Range
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Deborah Gonzalez
Deborah Gonzalez
Compass
(571) 639-4672
43 Total Sales
2 in Civic Betterment
$310K - $480K Price Range
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 8th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Woody Ward Recreation Center
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Pool
Fort Chaplin Park
- Bike Trails
- Trails
Kelly Miller Recreation Center
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
- Pool
Ridge Road Community Center
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Football
Benning Terrace Recreation Center
- Basketball
- Football
- Trails
Harris Recreation Center
- Soccer
- Playground
- Parking Lot
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Civic Betterment | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 9 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 6 | 4 |
| Robbery | 7 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 3 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Civic Betterment Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Civic Betterment, Washington sell after 126 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Civic Betterment, Washington over the last 12 months is $421,500, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$422,222
Median Sale Price
$421,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$421,500
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$422,222
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
2
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
7%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$232
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
123
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Median Year Built
1946
Months of Supply
24.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,400
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,128
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
597
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
530
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,484
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,230
Median Age
33
Population Density
28 ppl/acre
Population under 18
33.5%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$49,882
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$76,330
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
68.3%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
8.6%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7%
% Population in Labor Force
53.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
46''
Average Winter Low Temperature
27°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
16''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
39
/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
65
/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
52
/ 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Coral Hills
Prince George's County homes on rolling hills by the D.C. border
Marshall Heights
Residential D.C. neighborhood with 1940s houses and longtime residents
Benning Ridge
A suburban city neighborhood east of Anacostia River, beside two Civil War parks
Capitol View
Deeply rooted community east of the Anacostia River
Benning Heights
A quiet residential neighborhood absolutely brimming with real-estate potential
Capitol Heights
A quiet commuter train suburb in Prince George's County on the DC-Maryland border
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