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Pleasant Hill

Pleasant Hill

Neighborhood Reviews
3.0
$462,682 Average Value
$164 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

Hilly homes in Northwest D.C.

Pleasant Hill is a triangular community of condos and multi-family homes cradled between Fort Totten Park to the north and the Catholic University of America to the south. Folks can quickly walk to Fort Totten for a summer concert or to Raymond DuFour Athletic Center to watch a CUA basketball game. For D.C. natives, Pleasant Hill offers a number of those intangible elements that set it apart. “This is where kids who grew up in D.C. buy their first home,” says Ruma Sikka, a Realtor with Keller Williams Capital Properties with 17 years of experience. “It’s not an expensive area, which is the biggest thing, but it also offers a lot of culture and charm.” Though this hilly neighborhood is perched in Northwest D.C., it feels like a centralized area in the District, with popular dining corridors like Georgia Avenue less than 2 miles west in neighboring Petworth. Residents here sleep a few doors down from President Abraham Lincoln’s cottage, which is now a museum.
A line of classic brick detached row homes in Pleasant Hill.
A line of classic brick detached row homes in Pleasant Hill.
Pleasant Hill is a tiny DC neighborhood located just north of Catholic University.
Pleasant Hill is a tiny DC neighborhood located just north of Catholic University.
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Walking distance to Fort Totten Park and President Lincoln's Cottage

Fort Totten Park is a National Park and the biggest green space for Pleasant Hill residents. The park was originally a Civil War fortification to protect the nation’s capital, where Union lookouts would be able to spot a Confederate invasion from the elevated position. Today the park has forested walking trails and spacious grass fields. Fridays at Fort Totten is a free summer concert series in the park where folks can enjoy live music in D.C.’s brisk summer evenings. DuFour Athletic Center is part of the Catholic University of America campus and is home to the university’s Cardinal basketball team, which advanced to the second round of the Division III NCAA Tournament in 2024. Though the athletic facilities are only open to CUA students, all are welcome to come watch the games. Less than a mile west is President Lincoln’s Cottage, a Gothic Revival home sitting on a 250-acre space, where Lincoln resided during the height of the Civil War and drafted the Emancipation Proclamation. Two large burial grounds, Rock Creek Cemetery and Soldiers Home Cemetery, lie to the west of Pleasant Hill.
DuFour Athletic Center has volleyball, football and tennis games.
DuFour Athletic Center has volleyball, football and tennis games.
Pleasant Hill residents can jog, bike and walk their dogs at Fort Totten just to the north.
Pleasant Hill residents can jog, bike and walk their dogs at Fort Totten just to the north.
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Midcentury condos and rowhouses

“The home prices are probably the biggest reason people are moving here,” says Sikka. Home values range from $250,000 to $750,000, with modest, one-bedroom condos at the bottom of the range and two-family duplexes for sale at the top of the range. Federal-style townhouses are also on the market. Most homes were built during the post-World War II housing boom, and it’s rare to find properties built before the 1930s. Brick siding is a popular feature of most homes here, especially for the garden-style condo complexes like Hawaiian Gardens Apartments. Streets are angular, and sidewalks rise at an angle, as the neighborhood shares a hill with Fort Totten. It is one of the few inclined neighborhoods in Northwest D.C., and many front yards slope downwards to meet the sidewalk.
Varnum St NE in Pleasant Hill is lined mostly with semi-detached row homes like these.
Varnum St NE in Pleasant Hill is lined mostly with semi-detached row homes like these.
Many of the row homes in Pleasant Hill have small front yards which residents fill with flowers.
Many of the row homes in Pleasant Hill have small front yards which residents fill with flowers.
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Folks head down Georgia Avenue for groceries or a bite to eat

Heights Shopping Center is a small strip mall in the southeast corner of Pleasant Hill. It hosts a few casual takeout spots and a Subway for residents in need of quick dinner plans. To the west along Georgia Avenue are local restaurants and bars lining either side of the street. Locals can shop at Safeway for groceries, head to spots like Snappy’s Small Bar for creative cocktails or order bagel bites and dino nuggets for pub grub. There’s also the Amen Café for hot coffee and a menu of Ethiopian dishes like awaze tibs, or sauteed beef tips, and injera bread.
Pleasant Hill residents can utilize the Safeway not far away in Petworth.
Pleasant Hill residents can utilize the Safeway not far away in Petworth.
The Petworth Community Market is a great resource, check it out every Saturday morning.
The Petworth Community Market is a great resource, check it out every Saturday morning.
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Neighboring Brookland hosts America's largest Catholic Church

The golden Baroque domes of the Ukrainian Catholic Seminary loom over blooming Sargent Cherry trees at the south end of Pleasant Hill. North America’s largest Catholic Church, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception– invites visitors to admire its art and architecture or tour the history and heritage of what is affectionately referred to as “America’s Catholic Church.” The world-famous Kirov Academy of Ballet closed in 2020, but plans are in place to convert the historic neoclassical building into residential complexes.
Prayer services and tours are offered at the spectacular National Basilica near Pleasant Hill.
Prayer services and tours are offered at the spectacular National Basilica near Pleasant Hill.
DuFour Athletic Center in Pleasant Hill is where Catholic University students play sports.
DuFour Athletic Center in Pleasant Hill is where Catholic University students play sports.
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Students can attend historic Dunbar High School

Pleasant Hill is under the jurisdiction of D.C. Public Schools. Nearby options include Bunker Hill Elementary and Brookland Middle School, which both have C-plus ratings on Niche. Finally, there’s Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, which is historic as it is the first high school in the United States that served African Americans. The school is also ranked as the No. 5 best high school for athletics in the District of Columbia, with 13 state championships in football. Dunbar’s Crimson Tide most recently defeated Ballou High School to win the Turkey Bowl, the D.C. equivalent of the state championship game, played close to Thanksgiving. Pleasant Hill is also within walking distance of Archbishop Carroll Catholic School or the Yu Ying Public Charter School, a Chinese-English dual language immersion school.
Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School has a dual immersion English/Chinese curriculum.
Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School has a dual immersion English/Chinese curriculum.
Dunbar High School near Pleasant Hill is the 5th best school in DC for athletics.
Dunbar High School near Pleasant Hill is the 5th best school in DC for athletics.
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Pleasant Hill residents rely on the metro bus to get around.
Pleasant Hill residents rely on the metro bus to get around.

Downtown is accessible by bus, car or metro

The Fort Totten Metro station is less than 2 miles north of Pleasant Hill and offers Red and Green Line access through D.C. and Maryland. North Capitol Street Northwest serves as the neighborhood’s western border. Commuters can take it to Downtown D.C. in 4 miles, taking about twenty minutes, depending on traffic. WMATA buses have stops along 2nd Street NE and Taylor Street NE. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is also 8 miles south and is accessible by car or train.
Maxwell Olarinde
Written By
Maxwell Olarinde
Jack Adams
Photography Contributed By
Jack Adams
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Luke Mancari

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

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Parks in this Area

Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.0 3 Reviews
3.0 Niche User
8/21/2014 Niche Review
there are some fast food stores like subway and dominos but at the dominos you can expect slow service
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Crime and Safety

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

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Pleasant Hill Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$310,000
Last 12 months Home Sales
0
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$164

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
133
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1950
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,287
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
775
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
573
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
2,178

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Aug 2
    1 - 3pm

    227 Hawaii Ave NE, Washington, DC 20011

    $630,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,512 Sq Ft
    • 227 Hawaii Ave NE
    • New 9 days ago

    Welcome to 227 Hawaii Ave NE — a beautifully maintained brick home in the heart of the sought-after Michigan Park/Brookland neighborhood! This charming residence offers a perfect blend of classic character and modern updates, featuring generous living space, hardwood floors, and abundant natural light throughout. The kitchen is equipped with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and

    Arlene Fernandez Redfin Corp

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Leah Webster, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
1,944
Median Age
37
Population Density
34 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.9%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$54,574
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$78,481

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
90%
College Graduates
25.4%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.8%
% Population in Labor Force
66.3%
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

Bikeable

Bike Score®

55 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

40 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

68 / 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
Pleasant Hill