Easily identifiable by its namesake roundabout and park, historic Dupont Circle is known to be sophisticated but not stuffy. “The neighborhood has retained its artsy and eclectic soul with human-scale buildings and classic tree-lined streets,” says Long & Foster agent Rick Morrison, who has accrued nearly $150 million in sales since transitioning from hospitality to real estate in 2017. “If you look at the section of New Hampshire Avenue between M and U streets, this is probably one of the most sought out stretches you’ll find in D.C.” Teeming with an attainable cosmopolitan glitz, Dupont promises boutique shopping, book browsing and a vast variety of dining destinations. Morrison points to usable daily amenities that help Dupont stand out to professionals looking for a lively and vibrant neighborhood that is highly walkable and mostly self-contained. “Except maybe for work, residents don't have to leave for anything if they don't want."
Dupont Circle has plenty of retail and dining options to choose from.
Dupont Circle offers several small restaurants and shops.
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Boutique shopping and dynamic dining destinations
Lacking the pomp of the neighboring Georgetown Harbor, Dupont Circle has a more approachable vibe while still maintaining a certain status. “You're not going to get big-box stores or many national chains, which really adds to the neighborhood's character,” Morrison says. “The truth is, Dupont has nice things that people will travel for.” The areas around the circle and the Metro, particularly Connecticut Avenue, are always buzzing with activity, but some residents prefer more low-key establishments along 17th and 18th streets. “The Iron Gate Restaurant has the cutest courtyard you’ve ever seen in your life tucked away on a one-way street,” Morrison says. “And Sushi Taro, which weirdly operates over a CVS, is one of the best spots in the city." He says their tofu custard is "on another level." This high-end Japanese restaurant has operated in the district for nearly 40 years and earned a Michelin star in 2021. For residents who prefer to cook at home, there is a surprisingly compact Safeway for stocking up on groceries and essentials, and the FreshFarm farmers market is open year-round on Sundays from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Attend a farmer's market every Sunday and shop locally in Dupont Circle.
Madhatter is a bar and restaurant in Dupont Circle.
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Embassies, museums and a focus on art
Arts and culture are cultivated in Dupont Circle, once the absolute center of the LGBTQ+ community in the district. Though the scene has spread out since the 1980s, the neighborhood is still the final leg of the Capital Pride Parade each year and host to the 17th Street High Heel Race. There are also about a half-dozen gallery spaces scattered throughout Dupont. “Those little museums are all interesting attractions,” Morrison says. “Dupont Underground is a cool venue in this huge subterranean space that operates like a little non-profit promoting the arts locally.” Since debuting its first exhibit in 2016, the tunnel has hosted many well-attended events, including fashion shows, drag nights, gong baths, silent disco yoga and theater and comedy shows. Founded in 1921, The Phillips Collection is the first museum of modern art in the U.S. The contemporary gallery features an always-expanding collection of over 5,000 pieces. ArtWalk Dupont takes place on the first Friday of each month and allows for self-guided tours of galleries, embassies and cultural centers. There are 12 potential stops in the blocks between T and M streets NW, including the Chinese American Museum and the Heurich House Museum.
Enjoy the Golden Arts installation located in Dupont Circle.
The Nightlife is always buzzing in Dupont Circle.
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Grand mansions and attainable condos
Dupont Circle is known for its trademark grand Victorian and Federal-style brick rowhomes, some with elaborate masonry and wrought-iron work. However, according to Morrison, the three-story architectural gems and the neighborhood’s estate properties appeal to very specific buyers. “In terms of interest for these properties, you’re going to see a lot of wealthy empty nesters, and I’ve even worked with an African government looking to establish a consulate in the district.” Rowhomes start around $1 million for more modest offerings on Newport Place, while home values around the corner on 21st Street hit between $1.5 and $3.5 million. There is, however, a diversity of housing in Dupont that includes a robust inventory of condominiums and cooperatives at a wide range of price points. There are a substantial number of 20-to-40-unit mid-rises on and around 18th Street. Listing prices for a one-bedroom, one-bath, 500-square-foot condo start around $250,000, while a two-bedroom, two-bath with over 1,000 square feet can sell for as much as $900,000.
Historical row homes are plentiful in the Dupont Circle neighborhood.
The Strivers' Section Historic District is located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood.
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Gathering around the Dupont Circle fountain
Outdoor life in the neighborhood is defined by the collection of residents and visitors who mill around near the iconic fountain at Dupont Circle, named after Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont, a Civil War hero and member of the prominent chemical and industrial family. In the warmer months, the benches that surround the circle are usually occupied by Washingtonians drinking coffee as they scroll through their phones or make conversation with friends or colleagues. Chess players gather day and night for much of the year, with long-time players battling game challengers at dedicated stone tables for bragging rights and maybe a few dollars. In the winter, an impromptu snowball fight at the circle is always possible after a big weather event. Managed by the National Park Service and situated on nearly 2,000 acres, Rock Creek Park was the nation's third national park when it was designated in 1890. The park is sparse this far south, but the trail links to greater greenspace to the north.
A few lawn chairs are set up around the Dupont Circle fountain in the center of the neighborhood
S Street Dog Park features plenty of benches for Dupont Circle pet owners to sit and relax.
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More college kids than children
Dupont Circle is served by the District of Columbia Public Schools, an above-average urban district with a B grade from Niche, but an A in diversity. Kids can start their education at Ross Elementary School, a walkable community school graded A-minus by Niche. Graded B-plus, Schools Without Walls at Francis-Stevens goes up to eighth grade before students advance to the School Without Walls High School. The A-plus magnet school is the best public high school in the city, according to Niche, and is undergoing a $57 million renovation that is expected to be completed ahead of the 2024-25 school year. Private schools like Sidwell Friends and Georgetown Day are popular options amongst families in the neighborhood. Primary and secondary schools aside, college students are more common in Dupont Circle than younger children. The neighborhood borders Foggy Bottom, home to George Washington University, and then there is Georgetown University about three miles west.
Columbia Heights Education Campus in Washington, DC.
Ross School
Entrance sign for School Without Walls - Francis Steven's
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A walkable neighborhood connected by road and rail to downtown DC
As walkable a neighborhood as you’ll find in almost any city, many residents in Dupont Circle enjoy a car-free existence. There is a dedicated Metro station on the highly trafficked Red Line with entrances both north and south of the circle and bus routes that run along most of the major thoroughfares. “One of the great things about Dupont is that it’s centrally located with endless public transportation options,” Morrison says. Dupont Circle has been referenced in popular culture as difficult to navigate by car – there is even an underpass to avoid it – but Morrison says getting around isn’t usually too bad. “Compared to most of the city, you've got the best traffic patterns you can hope for with the circles and series of one-way streets, but pedestrians can create bottlenecks.”
People taking a stroll through Dupont Circle.
Dupont Circle Station is Dupont Circle's transportation hub.
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Not an excess of violent crime
Regarding crime and safety, Dupont Circle’s CAP Index number is a 4 out of 10, which is on par with the national average. “Because of the population density and socioeconomic diversity of the neighborhood, there are always going to be some issues,” Morrison says. “But with Dupont, you’re usually looking at crimes of opportunity, something like petty theft, more than violent crime.”
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.
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We pay taxes and have no vote in congress and a limited say on our own governing. Police everywhere and I don't know why. Usually read/see/hear bad things about our public schools in the news.
4.0Niche User
7/28/2014Niche Review
I am not concerned with too many of these issues
3.0Niche User
7/28/2014Niche Review
these services are not excellent, but they are good.
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Dupont Circle Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Dupont Circle, Washington sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Dupont Circle, Washington over the last 12 months is $477,500, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Step into this updated bright two bedroom DC condo, offering a comfortable and open living space with wood flooring throughout. The floor-to-ceiling windows bring in plenty of natural light, and the kitchen is equipped with stainless steel appliances, a gas cooktop, and a breakfast bar, making it a practical space for cooking and dining. The spacious master suite features a private bath and a
OPEN SATURDAY 9/20, 1-3pm. Seller will consider seller-funded buy down of buyer's mortgage!Welcome to Residence #1 at The Hudson. This 2-bedroom (primary bed + den), 2 full bath residence offers 950 sq ft (per floor plan) of thoughtfully designed living space just a stone's throw from Dupont Circle. Originally built in the early 1900s and transformed in 2020 into four condominiums,
Welcome to Hastings Court, where timeless design meets the best of city living. Tucked away on a charming, tree-lined one way street in Dupont Circle, this studio condo offers the ideal retreat for young professionals, investors, or anyone searching for a stylish pied-a-terre in the heart of DC.Inside the thoughtfully designed space you’ll find original parquet wood floors adding warmth
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Rent this beautifully updated studio in one of D.C.’s most iconic and historic buildings. The Chastleton, a 1920s Gothic treasure fully renovated in 2006, offers a perfect blend of charm and modern convenience.The unit features stainless steel appliances, a sleek full bath, and efficient city living. Rent includes Comcast cable with HBO, high-speed internet, water, sewer, trash, building
Stylish TWO-Level Apartment with a Fireplace in the U street corridor. Located just 5 blocks from the Metro, this beautifully designed home offers the perfect blend of comfort, style, and unbeatable location. Walking distance to Safeway, Whole Foods, and Trader Joes. There are too many restaurants and lounges and bars to name. Come see this elegant brownstone for yourself!
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