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Civic Betterment

Civic Betterment

$351,258 Average Value
$168 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

Civic Betterment's quiet streets in Southeast Washington

Located along the Maryland border in Southeast Washington, Civic Betterment is a small pocket of tree-lined streets less than 10 miles from downtown. Home prices here are well below the citywide median, making it one of the city’s more affordable neighborhoods. Metro stations are a couple of miles away, and the Capital Beltway is close by, so getting around the region is doable even without a direct Metro stop. Living in Civic Betterment also puts you right next to a recently renovated recreation center with indoor and outdoor amenities.

Classic homes at prices below the Washington median

Brick rowhomes and twin homes line most streets, with a few blocks of detached single-family homes in Cape Cod and Colonial Revival styles. Most properties date to the early to mid-20th century, and perks like finished basements, fenced-in backyards and driveways are more common here than in many parts of the city. Civic Betterment's median sale price is in the mid-$200,000s, more affordable than the citywide median and nearby neighborhoods like Marshall Heights and Benning Ridge.

According to local Realtor Melissa Melendez, it’s a good place to buy. “If you're looking for future equity, this is a great time to buy low and see your investment grow," she says. Some homes may need a little work, but Melendez sees upside in that. "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." Inventory is tight, though, since this is a smaller neighborhood with more rentals than for-sale options.

Metro, bus and highway access from Civic Betterment

Civic Betterment is close to Metrobus stops and Capital Bikeshare stations, but it doesn't have its own Metro station. The closest options are Capitol Heights and Benning Road, which serve the Blue and Silver lines and are about 2 miles away. From either station, it's roughly a 20-minute ride to Downtown DC. Most daily errands are a short drive away, and the Capital Beltway is a few miles east for commutes into Maryland or Northern Virginia suburbs. Residents typically rely on a car to get around.

District of Columbia Public Schools and local charter options

The District of Columbia Public Schools system assigns students to neighborhood schools based on address, but families can apply to other district and charter schools through the My School DC lottery. C.W. Harris Elementary School, Kelly Miller Middle School and H.D. Woodson High School serve Civic Betterment. Woodson offers four career-focused academies, including business finance, computer science, digital media and engineering. Nearby charter schools include KIPP DC Promise Academy, which earns a B-minus from Niche.

A renovated recreation center near Fort Dupont Park trails

Woody Ward Recreation Center is Civic Betterment's go-to for indoor and outdoor recreation. The center underwent an $11 million renovation in 2021, and it shows. Inside, there's a boxing ring, a fitness center, a dance studio and a basketball gym. Outside, you'll find a dragon-themed playground, sports courts and a pool. Fort Dupont Park is a nearby favorite with access to the Fort Circle Park Hiker-Biker Trail, which connects six historic Civil War sites. The park also has an outdoor amphitheater known for its summer concert series. Anacostia Park and the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail are a few miles away.

Where to run errands and eat around Civic Betterment

Civic Betterment doesn't have many businesses, but you can grab takeout from Bird's Kitchen or pick up essentials at Night & Day 24 Hour Store. There are more options along corridors like East Capitol Street and Minnesota Avenue. For bigger shopping and dining runs, you're a few miles from places like:

  • Coral Hills Shopping Center, with New Grand Mart set to open in June 2026
  • East River Park, where you can run errands at Safeway and CVS
  • Skyland Town Center, for Lidl and fast-casual spots like Mezeh
  • Tanger National Harbor, an outlet mall with brand-name deals

Sally Stimpson
Written By
Sally Stimpson
Jack Adams
Photography Contributed By
Jack Adams
Christian Gortler
Video By
Christian Gortler

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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl

20 min drive

Bus

Benning Rd SE & Hillside Rd SE

Bus

Fitch St SE & 53rd St SE

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

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

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
124
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1946
Months of Supply
4.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,403
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,142
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

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
4
Median Rent
$1,095
Median Single Family Home Rent
$1,000
Median Townhouse Rent
$1,095
Median Condo Rent
$1,450
Median 1 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,450

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
$79,597
Average Household Income
$76,330

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
68.3%
Below the national average
89%
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

Fairly bikeable

Bikeability®

50 / 100

Fairly walkable

Walkability®

50 / 100

Good public transit

Transit®

60 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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
Civic Betterment