$367,852Average Value$271Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
Eastern D.C. neighborhood with a strong community
Marshall Heights is a Ward 7 D.C. neighborhood east of the Anacostia River with generational families and a history of self-sufficiency. Marshall Heights was rural in the early 1900s, with families settling in makeshift structures and living off the land. Running water, sewage lines or streetlights didn’t exist here until the 1940s. However, community efforts helped secure city services for the neighborhood and spur new development through the second half of the 20th century. Many homes were built for returning Black World War II veterans, and groups like the Marshall Heights Community Development organization helped build houses through the 90s, even as the area grappled with the effects of crime and drugs. "Our community was so forthright in getting things done, other people noticed. Two first ladies and the Queen of England came to our community," says Keith Hasan-Towery, former chair of the Marshall Heights Civic Association. Today, groups like the Marshall Heights Civic Association and Marshall Heights Community Development Organization continue to support the neighborhood, and neighbors look out for one another. "Two weeks before I moved there, I knew all my neighbors. They made a point to come and talk," Hasan-Towery says.
Townhouses and duplexes built in the '40s
Marshall Heights was largely a shantytown from the early 1900s until about 1945. Townhouses, duplexes and single-family ramblers were built after World War II. These brick homes can still be found in the neighborhood today and typically cost between $250,000 and $400,000, depending on their condition. One-bedroom condo units built in the '60s cost between $75,000 and $100,000. Newer developments, including the neighborhood's latest along 49th Street, are primarily three-story townhouses with three to five bedrooms, priced between $400,000 and $600,000. Glenncrest Public Housing, a subsidized townhouse development that opened in 2008, is also in Marshall Heights. Staircases lead up to many homes' entryways in Marshall Heights, accommodating the neighborhood's steep terrain, and many homes have chain fences surrounding small front yards and backyards with decks. Short driveways accommodate one or two cars.
D.C. public schools and a highly rated charter school
Public school students in Marshall Heights typically attend either C.W. Harris Elementary School, which has a C-minus from Niche, or Nalle Elementary School, which has a C. Older students progress to C-rated Kelly Miller Middle School and C-minus rated H.D. Woodson High School. The high school has a solid reputation for athletics, with the girls' basketball team winning the D.C. Interscholastic Athletic Association (DCIAA) title eight years in a row between 2006 and 2013 and the boys' basketball team recording a perfect season in 2016. Students may also attend KIPP DC Promise Academy, a public charter school off Benning Road that serves kindergarten through fourth grades. The school earned an A from Niche.
Efforts to redevelop Fletcher-Johnson Middle School
Marshall Heights was formerly served by Fletcher-Johnson Middle School, but the District shut down the school in 2008, citing low attendance. The former middle school sat on the site of Payne’s Cemetery, an African American cemetery used through the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In the 1960s, nearly 40,000 graves on the sight were exhumed and moved to National Harmony Memorial Park in Prince George’s County, Maryland. "There was violence that took place on the Fletcher-Johnson campus, and it's an expensive place to operate and maintain," Hasan-Towery says. However, the community continues to use the site as a public space for events and recreation, says Hasan-Towery. Community members noticed that the campus, as the fourth largest developable plot of land owned by the District, could be redeveloped into a mixed-use space with neighborhood facilities that the area currently lacks. "We wanted to see something happen there that would encourage economic development. We wanted to have a grocery store, urgent care for health access, a restaurant for fast casual dining, affordable housing and an educational component for adults," says Hasan-Towery, who was part of the Fletcher-Johnson task force to advocate for the redevelopment. He explains that, although this original plan hasn't materialized, there are still plans to build an urgent care and, eventually, apartments and townhouses.
Recreation at Fletcher-Johnson and Woody Ward
Although no "official" parks are within Marshall Heights' boundaries, locals gather at the Fletcher-Johnson campus to get outside and exercise. "You'll see people working out there on the stairs. There are clean and active tennis courts and basketball courts," Hasan-Towery says. The Marshall Heights Bisons, the community's youth flag football team, uses the school's field for practice. Woody Ward Community Center, just off Southern Avenue, has more recreational facilities, including a pool and dragon-themed playground, boxing and fitness centers, and indoor and outdoor basketball courts. The facility was completely renovated in 2021. Neighbors can also enjoy the building's colorful murals while strolling down the walking paths. For more outdoor space, Fort Dupont Park is a mile west. The park has 361 acres of wooded space, including 10 miles of hiking trails and community gardens.
Longstanding churches and Benco Shopping Center
Shopping and dining within Marshall Heights' borders are limited, though some options are nearby. The Benco Shopping Center, in the neighborhood's northwest corner, has storefronts including Velima Health and Pharmacy, KensBeauty supply store and Z Mart Grocery, a convenience store with some grocery items. For more extensive grocery trips, locals may visit the Safeway or CVS in the East River Park shopping center off 40th Street, about a mile and a half northwest. Marshall Heights has no sit-down restaurants, but locals can visit Bird's Kitchen on Marshall Heights' southern tip in the Civic Betterment neighborhood. This highly rated spot serves casual dishes like burgers, wings and a crabcake sandwich. There are nine churches in Marshall Heights, including the First Baptist Church of Marshall Heights, First National Baptist Church and St. John Baptist Church. These institutions still serve the community today, but "they were really the centerpieces of the community before the '60s," Hasan-Towery says.
Block parties, Marshall Heights Day and Capitol View Library
"Marshall Heights is famous for their block parties," Hasan-Towery says. One of these parties, which was held annually before the pandemic, is held on C street in honor of lifelong resident Debbie Thomas's son, who was a victim of gun violence in the neighborhood in 2000. "Every year, they would honor him and other victims who died in the community," Hasan-Towery says. Marshall Heights Day is another neighborhood event that connects residents with local resources and offers free food and entertainment at J.C. Nalle Community School. For more events, locals can visit the Capitol View Neighborhood Library. Kids and adults gather here for weekly book clubs, craft sessions, movie nights and informational sessions. The library was originally completed in 1965 after 10-year-old Francel Trotter stood in front of U.S. Senators to demand funding for the project in 1961. In 2018, she helped lead a charge to sue D.C. officials who slashed funding to rebuild the library. Renovations to the library were completed in 2019.
On the Maryland border and 8 miles from downtown D.C.
Downtown D.C. is about 8 miles west of Marshall Heights, and Maryland borders the neighborhood on the east. Residents can commute across the Anacostia River by car or from the Benning Road Metro Station. The station services the Silver Line and Blue Line, which goes straight to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Metrobuses service stops along Benning Road and East Capitol Street. There has also been discussion of extending the streetcar line along H Street and Benning Road NE to reach the Benning Road Metro Station, though no decision has been reached as of July 2024. "The community is mixed on [the extension]," Hasan-Towery says. He explains that some residents living along Benning Road worry about the impact of construction and encroachment on their property, but many locals with limited transportation stand to benefit from the line. "Instead of taking the Blue, Silver or Orange Lines downtown, you could take one streetcar to Union Station," he says. Marshall Heights has an overall CAP Index crime score of 6, indicating a higher crime risk than the national average of 4. The neighborhood's CAP index score is a 10 for homicide and a 9 for robbery and assault with a weapon.
GreatSchools:
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Marshall Heights Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Marshall Heights, Washington sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Marshall Heights, Washington over the last 12 months is $459,900, up 60% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Rare DC home under 100k! In addition to the amazing price, this condo also has AMPLE closet space, an expansive living room, a balcony overlooking the neighborhood, and a separate dining room area. Bring your California king-sized bed because you will not have any issues with space in the bedroom! This is one of the biggest one bedrooms you will find!Near two metro stations, the future
What a value! Why pay rent when you can own your own home??? Welcome to this cute and quaint community with an ideal location in DC. This one bedroom/one bath is ideal for someone who desires low maintenance living. Newly painted just for you ! This natural light filled home features a cozy living room, updated kitchen w/ black & SS appliances, spacious bedroom, updated bathroom, recessed
Bright & Airy 2BD/1BA Condo – Prime Location!Welcome home to this light-filled 2-bedroom, 1-bath condo nestled in a secure-access building, offering both comfort and convenience. Ideally situated between D.C. and Maryland, this unit provides effortless commuting with Metro access just a few blocks away and a bus line at your doorstep.Step inside to discover a modern living space featuring updated
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
6,872
Median Age
36
Population Density
28 ppl/acre
Population under 18
29.6%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$45,030
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$70,815
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
90.1%
College Graduates
22.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
9.4%
% Population in Labor Force
60.8%
On par with the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
27°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
14''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
41/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
38/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
60/ 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.
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.
