As the second oldest neighborhood in Washington, D.C. — established only after Georgetown — Tenleytown has undergone several stages of development and continues to change and adapt. First settled in the 1700s, the area was a rural village before serving as an outpost for Union soldiers during the Civil War and later was developed into a streetcar suburb in the early 20th century. Today, this northwest D.C. neighborhood has its own Metro station, excellent schools and an inviting atmosphere that’s both urban and suburban. “It’s convenient. It’s easy to walk to things and get around, and yet we have so much green space,” says Leslie Dembinski, Realtor at Compass and Tenleytown resident for 26 years. Residents access shopping and dining along Wisconsin Avenue and open space at Fort Reno Park, all within a few minutes' walk of the neighborhood’s well-kept residential streets.
The Tenleytown Water tower acts as a landmark in this historic DC neighborhood.
Fort Reno Park acts as a byway to get around Tenleytown, it's also the highest point in DC.
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American Foursquares, brick Colonials and townhouses
Housing inventory in Tenleytown is low, and homes typically range between $1 million and $2 million. Modest brick cottages and townhouses represent the lower price range, while brick Colonials and American Foursquares span the upper price range. “It has become a much more expensive area to live in. It continues to be incredibly popular, and the demand for housing is really high,” Dembinski says. Homes sit close together and have street parking, with some homes having brick retaining walls and stairs leading up to the front porch from the street. Mature trees and front lawns with freshly cut green grass give Tenleytown a polished look. There are also apartments in Tenleytown, including the City Line and Tenley Hill complexes. “We have apartment buildings that have been built recently, and students at American University are big occupants of those, but it doesn’t feel dominated by students. They’re just part of our community,” Dembinski says.
Foursquares and craftsman homes are also common sights in Tenleytown.
On 41st St NW in Tenleytown, rows of semi-detached row homes line the streets.
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Highly rated public and private schools
Children attend public and private schools in Tenleytown. Public school students usually begin at Janney Elementary, rated an A-minus on Niche. Students progress to Alice Deal Middle School and Jackson-Reed High School, which both earned A grades. Jackson-Reed High School has ten small learning academies where students can specialize in subjects of interest such as graphic design, finance, engineering, and audio-video production. Private schools include A-plus-rated Georgetown Day School, established in the 1940s as D.C.’s first integrated school and attended by the children of several congressmen and senators, and A-plus-rated Sidwell Friends School, a Quaker school where politicians such as Barack Obama and Joe Biden have sent their children and grandchildren.
Middle Schoolers in Tenleytown can attend A-rated Alice Deal Middle School.
Students come from all over DC to attend Jackson Reed High School, one of the best in DC.
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Tenleytown Main Street supports the community and hosts events
Tenleytown Main Street is a local nonprofit dedicated to improving Tenleytown the neighborhood. “They help local businesses in their purview with getting small business grants to make exterior improvements. They also oversee Clean Street, a street clean group, and do streetscape improvements,” Dembinski says. The organization also puts on community events, including Tenleytown’s Winterfest and Art All Night. “Art All Night has become a really big deal." This nighttime festival is held in September each year, and businesses all around the neighborhood participate, including the Tenley-Friendship Library and St. Ann Catholic Church, an over 150-year-old institution in the neighborhood with 800 local families in its congregation. Visitors wander along Tenleytown’s street to listen to live bands, try food from various vendors, visit with artists and gather with the community.
Wisconsin Ave NW serves as Tenleytown's main drag, lined with shops and dining options.
Check out the authentic Mexican fare at El Guapos in Tenleytown.
Inside East West, visitors will find a full espresso bar and plentiful seating.
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Guapo’s and Bullfrog Bagels
Tenleytown has a handful of well-loved local businesses, with Guapo’s, a local Mexican chain, among them. “Many of us consider it the heart of Tenleytown from a restaurant standpoint. It almost serves as a de facto community center. People will get off the Metro and meet their families there, and you almost always see someone you know,” Dembinski says. Another local favorite is Bullfrog Bagels, a food truck that parks daily off Wisconsin Avenue, and Coffee Nature, an eclectic coffee shop with art covering its walls. Tenleytown also has many chain restaurants and businesses along Wisconsin Avenue, including Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread, Target, Whole Foods and The Container Store. Although some residents support development as a means of attracting more local businesses, some oppose it due to increased traffic and other issues. “Developers are notoriously hesitant to propose projects in Tenleytown because there are owners that make it incredibly difficult to build here,” Dembinski says
Bullfrog Bagels has a food truck stationed in Tenleytown, try their smoked salmon bagel!
Check out the authentic Mexican fare at El Guapos in Tenleytown.
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Fort Reno Park in Tenleytown
Fort Reno Park is the largest neighborhood park in Tenleytown and marks the highest point in D.C. The park has a baseball field and soccer fields, and Dembinski explains that the area is popular among dogwalkers and sledders in the winter. Residents also gather on the lawn on Mondays and Thursdays the Summer for the Fort Reno Concert Series featuring local bands. Although it’s a popular recreation area, Fort Reno has a complex history. After seeing combat during the Civil War, Fort Reno was largely settled by Black Americans who renamed the area “Reno City.” This diverse, working-class community had its own churches, schools and businesses. However, the land was later acquired by the U.S. government, who demolished the neighborhood and converted it into the parkland that exists today.
Fort Reno Park in Tenleytown has a baseball field and tennis courts.
Tenleytown residents can take advantage of Fort Reno's tennis courts to practice their serve.
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The Tenleytown/American University Metro right on Wisconsin Ave NW runs red line trains.
Getting around Tenleytown
Tenleytown is less than 1 mile from American University and the Maryland state border. The Tenleytown-American University Metro Station is located just off Wisconsin Avenue, and Metro Buses serve routes around the city. The neighborhood is less than 5 miles northwest of downtown Washington, D.C., about a 20 minute trip on the Metro. 2 miles east of Sibley Memorial Hospital, and 9 miles north of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. It earned a 3 on the CAP Index score, indicating a slightly below-average risk for crime compared to the national average.
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Parks in this Area
Fort Reno Park
Soccer
Trails
Events
Fort Bayard Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
Chevy Chase Recreation Center
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Dog Park
Forest Hills Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Picnic Area
Linnean Park
Trails
Hiking
McLean Gardens Community Playground
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
Transit
Airport
Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl
19 min drive
Subway
Tenleytown-Au
Bus
Nebraska Ave NW & Fort Dr NW
Bus
Chesapeake St NW & Fort Reno Park
Bus
Fort Dr NW & Albemarle St NW
Bus
Fort Dr NW & Nebraska Ave NW
Bus
Chesapeake St NW & Wilson High School
Bus
Wisconsin Ave NW & Brandywine St NW
Bus
Nebraska Ave NW & Reno Rd NW
Reviews
Niche Reviews
4.212 Reviews
4.0Current Resident
3/4/2021Niche Review
Plenty of fun places to eat, great access to transportation, there's a great library and several places to buy essentials. Also full of local businesses to support.
4.0Nearby Resident
2/10/2023Niche Review
A nice place to be a college student, but very gentrified. Lots of convenient places for shopping needs and restaurants.
4.0Current Resident
3/24/2023Niche Review
I love Tenleytown! It is so cute and has a great location within DC. The only downside is that it is not diverse. It is a very rich and White area.
Perched at the highest point in DC, Tenley Hill is a luxury boutique condominium just steps from the Tenleytown Metro, vibrant shops, dining, and the 400-acre Fort Reno Park. This exquisite 3BR/2.5BA penthouse has been completely renovated with top-of-the-line finishes, offering a seamless blend of modern elegance and thoughtful design. This rare find, you'll find an expansive open floor plan, a
Anne-Marie FinnellTTR Sotheby's International Realty
Incredibly charming single family home. Open, contemporary and flooded with sunlight.Wonderfully welcoming wrap around porch. Table space kitchen, separate dining room with two story atrium with skylights. Large living room leading to rear deck. Two master bedroom suites on upper level.Above grade lower level with family room, bedroom and full bath. 2 parking
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Michael Rankin,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
700
Median Age
32
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$230,534
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$194,000
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.8%
College Graduates
92%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
54.3%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
70%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
31°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
13''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
70/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
84/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
69/ 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.
