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Columbia Heights

Columbia Heights

3.6
$697,399 Average Value
$513 Average Price per Sq Ft
63 Homes For Sale

Densely populated enclave in Northwest D.C.

The land that would become Columbia Heights started as 19th-century farmland outside the small but growing nation's capital. Now, it stands as one of D.C.'s most densely populated neighborhoods and is locally known as the go-to retail hub in Northwest D.C., hosting the DC USA Mall and a corridor of dining establishments and stores along 14th Street. “[It’s a] pretty centrally located area with lots of stuff to do; you don’t need a car,” says Kimberly Diggs, an associate broker with Douglas Elliman Real Estate, “It’s close to U Street nightlife and restaurants on 14th Street.” Residents are a few blocks away from the Smithsonian Zoo to the west, a Rock Creek Park trailhead to the north, or the nightlife along the U Street Corridor to the south. They are also connected to Downtown via a metro station or a straight shot down 16th Street.

Locals can head to major retailers close to home at the D.C. USA Mall

The D.C. USA Mall is a large, mixed-use retail center along 14th Street in Columbia Heights. It's built on the site of an old Romanesque Revival streetcar garage, which was used when public trolleys dominated city streets from the 1860s to the early 1960s. Diggs says, “They have a Target, which is a big deal in a major metropolitan area; those amenities are not common in D.C.” Familiar retailers like Marshall's, Target and Old Navy anchor this mall. There's also a Lidl and Giant nearby for groceries. A couple blocks north of the mall are unique restaurants like Thip Khao, serving traditional Laotian cuisine, with curry noodles and fried catfish for entrees and laab, chopped meat with vegetables and aromatic spices. There's also Tequila & Mezcal, a Mexican diner with birria tacos and tart taramindo margaritas. A block south of Columbia Heights is the famous U Street Corridor, a nightlife destination for the whole city. U Street was once the heart of D.C.'s jazz scene, and that spirit is kept alive through the vibrant nightclubs on either side; in venues like Lyve @ U, Pure Lounge and Cloak and Dagger, locals can get drinks and dance to live music. Residents can also pick up fresh produce and other handcrafted goods at the FreshFarm Columbia Heights Farmer's Market, open year-round on Sunday mornings at Civic Plaza, a small park on 14th Street.

Columbia Heights is filled with high-rise condos and Victorian rowhouses

Home values range from $250,000 to $1.6 million, varying by square footage and age. Diggs says that “There are rentals and some condos, there’s lots of folks who start their [homeowning] process here because of the condo inventory. There’s also rowhouses and multi-unit properties for people seeking investment opportunities.” High-rise condos run from $250,000 for a studio or one-bedroom to $1.3 million for luxury three-bedroom units with over 1,000 square feet. Victorian rowhouses stretch from $600,000 to well above $1.5 million and usually start with three bedrooms or more. Since this is one of the city's most densely populated neighborhoods, detached single-family homes are harder to come by on the market.

Residents can stroll through Piney Branch Park to the north or Meridian Hill Park to the south

Columbia Heights hosts Meridian Hill Park to the southwest, locally called Malcolm X Park, and stands as one of the most ambitious examples of a 20th-century Neoclassical-style Park, with fountains and Italian gardens to create the feeling of walking through the Renaissance era. Locals congregate here on Sundays for drum circles, a tradition that's been going on for over 40 years. The modest Powell Recreation Center features a children's playground, a soccer field and tennis courts. The Smithsonian Zoo is a mile west of Columbia Heights and is regionally renowned for its in-depth exhibits. Visitors can see orangutans climbing overhead on the O-Line, a system of cables hanging over the zoo that the primates can use to climb between their enclosures. Residents can access D.C.'s premier green space, Rock Creek Park, through a trail in Piney Branch Park, a couple blocks north of the neighborhood border. Rock Creek Park stretches from Northwest D.C. deep into Montgomery County, Maryland, and is a popular destination for hikers and bikers in the region.

Tubman Elementary School offers education as well as farm-fresh food

Columbia Heights students will attend D.C. public schools such as Tubman Elementary School and Cardozo Education Campus, which both have B-minus overall ratings on Niche, while Columbia Heights Education Campus teaches grades 6-12; and has a B-plus overall rating. Tubman Elementary has a unique bilingual curriculum, after-school yoga, and its own farmer's market on Wednesdays, partnering with several regional farms to provide fresh produce and preserves for neighborhood families.

Columbia Heights metro station connects residents to Downtown in minutes

Residents can take the Green Line bound Columbia Heights metro station to the government employers of Downtown D.C. within 20 minutes or drive south along 16th Street to get there in 2 miles. Metrobuses run down main streets like 16th Street, 14th Street and 11th Street for more public transit options.

Maxwell Olarinde
Written By
Maxwell Olarinde
Joseph Furio
Photography Contributed By
Joseph Furio
Adam Lapallo
Video By
Adam Lapallo

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

14 min drive

Subway

Columbia Heights

Bus

Florida Ave NW & 11th St NW

Bus

14th St NW & Clifton St NW

Bus

14th St NW & Irving St NW

Bus

11th St NW & Park Rd NW

Bus

11th St NW & Harvard St NW

Bus

14th St NW & Newton St NW

Bus

14th St NW & Harvard St NW

Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.6 68 Reviews
3.0 Niche User
6/10/2015 Niche Review
The average reaction time of the police/fire station depends on the proximity between said station and home or apartment. It takes police as well as fire fighters 5 minutes to get to my home.
4.0 Niche User
9/18/2014 Niche Review
This is the nation's capital and there is ALWAYS something amazing to see or do.
3.0 Niche User
9/18/2014 Niche Review
Expensive and sometimes short on space - it's a lot better than NY though. If you look carefully, and take your time, there are some great places at sort-of affordable rates
4.0 Niche User
7/21/2014 Niche Review
I loved these place, the only reason I'm leaving is because I am going off to college. And I am not planning on coming back afterwards because I always like to explore new places.
Are you familiar with the Columbia Heights neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Columbia Heights US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 9 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Columbia Heights Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$674,950
Median Sale Price
$700,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$635,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$900,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$592,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
200
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
11%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$513

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
3,586
Number of Homes for Sale
63
Median Year Built
1912
Months of Supply
3.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,021
On par with the national average
1,930
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,879
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,009
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
629
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
367
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
2,178

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Feb 15
    1 - 3pm

    2750 14th St NW Unit 306, Washington, DC 20009

    $375,000

    • 1 Bed
    • 1 Bath
    • 693 Sq Ft
    • 2750 14th St NW
    • Unit 306

    Extended Open House: Sunday 2/15, 1–3 PMAsk me about the $10,000 lender grantStep into effortless city living at 2750 14th Street NW #306 — a bright, loft-style 1-bedroom condo in the heart of Columbia Heights.This 693 sq ft home lives larger than the numbers suggest. Tall ceilings, clean lines, and an open, flexible layout create a modern, airy feel that works for real

    Agent Photo
    Troy Patterson
    TTR Sotheby's International Realty
    (855) 508-7143
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  • Saturday, Feb 14
    1 - 3pm

    3317 16th St NW Unit 4, Washington, DC 20010

    $619,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 950 Sq Ft
    • 3317 16th St NW
    • Unit 4
    • New 8 days ago

    Open 2/7 1-3. This 4 year young penthouse 2br/2ba flat offers the best of city living in the wonderful Mt. Pleasant/Col. Hts. neighborhood of our nations capitol! The unit provides a bright open floorplan facing West with a large bright living room and dining area adjoined by a snazzy chef's kitchen with abundant counter, cabinet space and high end stainless steel appliances! There are 2 well

    Agent Photo
    Roby Thompson
    Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
    (888) 295-5071
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  • Saturday, Feb 21
    11am - 2pm

    1390 Kenyon St NW Unit 702, Washington, DC 20010

    $275,000

    • 1 Bed
    • 1 Bath
    • 903 Sq Ft
    • 1390 Kenyon St NW
    • Unit 702
    • New 10 days ago

    List price is suggested opening bid. Price will be determined at the auction. Auction to take place at the property on March 4, 2026 @ 12 noon. Visit the Tranzon website for terms and complete information. Kenyon Square Condos is an exceptional loft condominium at 14th & Kenyon Streets in one of Washington's most celebrated neighborhoods. This unit is currently vacant and is 1 of 6 units we are

    Jeff Stein Tranzon Key

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Condo Buildings

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
25,403
Median Age
35
Population Density
62 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$91,376
Above the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$126,732

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
89.1%
College Graduates
65%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
36.9%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
81.2%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
31°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
13''

Area Factors

Biker's Paradise

Bike Score®

98 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

93 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit Score®

82 / 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

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
Columbia Heights