Downtown DC
Urban Core Neighborhood in Washington, District of Columbia
District of Columbia 20001, 20005, 20006, 20036High-rise condos in D.C.'s low-slung skyline
Condominiums are available in both historic and modern multistory landmarks. Home prices range from $200,000 to well over $1 million, varying by age, square footage and, for condos, amenities offered. Luxury properties can include rooftop pools, doormen, concierge services and in-home touches like marble flooring, circular staircases, wraparound balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows. Recent sales of two-bedroom condos have ranged from about $600,000 to $800,000. Brick townhouses from the early 1900s are also available. Streets are narrow and angular, as this neighborhood hosts the main arteries of the nation’s capital. Buyers may notice that the District’s bustling downtown area has no significant skyscrapers like the ones found in cities like Chicago or New York. The Height of Buildings Act of 1910 restricted city development from rising above a specific height, varying by street size. This was in part because firefighting equipment could only reach so high at the time. The tallest buildings in the city rise to 160 feet, along Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the Capitol. Over time, the law has remained in place, forming D.C.’s unique skyline where the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument are easy to spot for miles around.Neighborhood pocket parks with historic statues
“We don’t get recognition for being a city of trees,” says Robert Hryniewicki, a longtime D.C. native and associate of HRL Partners at Washington Fine Properties. “Our tree canopy is unique. The terrain in Northwest D.C. is all ridge, and the terrain closer to downtown is flatter." Edward R. Murrow Park is noted for its flowering trees, permanent chess tables and iconic sculptures. Urban pocket parks like McPherson Square Park, Franklin Park and Lafayette Square are small fields centered by historic monuments to prominent figures in American history.Annual events downtown and regionally attractive museums
One of the neighborhood’s biggest annual traditions is the lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the South Lawn of the White House. For three weeks in December, this annual spectacle draws over half a million visitors. In a city where history plays a starring role, it’s often the newer attractions that get the most attention. Planet Word is a one-of-a-kind museum about language and its evolution. Visitors praise its immersive experience and voice-activated installation. There’s also the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, which regularly exhibits work by nationally acclaimed artists. Black Lives Matter Plaza is one of the newest landmarks in the nation’s capital. Located along a two-block area of 16th Street, the words “Black Lives Matter” are painted the full width of the street in 50-foot neon-yellow letters. As the site of months of protests and global media coverage in 2020, the massive mural has become an international symbol of the ongoing fight for an end to police brutality.CityCenterDC offers luxury retail a quick walk from home
14th Street runs north through downtown and is a major dining corridor, hosting several Michelin-starred restaurants like Bresca, a Paris-style bistro, and Maydan, which serves Arab cuisine. Just off New York Avenue is CityCenterDC, an upscale shopping center with underground parking and luxury retailers like Dior, Ferragamo and Gucci. Along Pennsylvania Avenue is Western Market, a food court with eateries that are as diverse as the city. Locals can head to Arepa Zone for fast, casual Venezuelan dishes or dine in at Bindaas to enjoy Indian street food. Folks can grab groceries from the Safeway in Mount Vernon Triangle, just a few blocks east.Notable D.C. public schools
Thomson Elementary School is located within the neighborhood and offers pre-K through fifth grade. School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens, also called the John Francis Education Center, offers pre-K through eighth-grade studies. Both schools earn an A-minus on Niche. Finally, students can finish out their grade-school days at Cardozo Education Campus, rated a B-minus on Niche. Though Cardozo is house in a historic building, the interior has been renovated, and the school now offers a music studio, a TV station and a swimming pool. Downtown D.C. also has charter schools and private schools, and it's within 4 miles of Georgetown University, American University and Howard University.
Angular city streets and Metro access
The “wheel-and-spokes” street designs of city planner Pierre L’Enfant can be daunting to navigate by car at first, and it's popular to use public transportation, like one of three Metrorail stations within the neighborhood or one of several WMATA buses. D.C. is also considered one of the more bike-friendly cities in the country, with over 6,000 Capital Bikeshare bikes that locals can use throughout the city and miles of established bike lanes through dense city streets. Downtown is also a highly walkable area, serving as the central axis of the city, so folks can quickly reach dining and nightlife districts like Dupont Circle and Logan Circle on foot.


Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Michael Schaeffer
Coldwell Banker Realty - Washington
(202) 902-7317
121 Total Sales
1 in Downtown DC
$785,000 Price
-
Robert Sanders
TTR Sotheby's International Realty
(855) 910-5762
339 Total Sales
2 in Downtown DC
$820K - $1.4M Price Range
-
Michael Rankin
TTR Sotheby's International Realty
(844) 734-0709
207 Total Sales
1 in Downtown DC
$995,000 Price
-
Avery Boyce
Compass
(202) 883-6774
92 Total Sales
1 in Downtown DC
$665,000 Price
-
Danielle DuBois
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
(855) 854-1639
58 Total Sales
1 in Downtown DC
$480,000 Price
-
Michael Moore
Compass
(844) 421-4871
108 Total Sales
2 in Downtown DC
$265K - $476K Price Range
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Downtown DC | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 3 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
Robbery | 7 | 4 |
Burglary | 5 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
Larceny | 6 | 4 |
Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown DC Demographics and Home Trends
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
Rider's Paradise
Transit 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

Eclectic and artsy D.C. enclave that has kept its soul amid robust development

Quintessential Washington neighborhood near national landmarks

One of the most desirable neighborhoods in the District

Energetic urban neighborhood with Chinese cultural influence

A major hub for entertainment, arts and culture a few blocks from the White House

Neighborhood home to luxury condos and award-winning establishments