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16th Street Heights Community Guide Real Estate A friendly, suburban oasis close to the big city!

Updated 4/27/2023

History and Flavor

If you like a friendly small-town flavor only minutes from the big city, that style was the original intent when Sixteenth Street Heights was developed. The extension of streetcar lines into the area kick-started its growth at the turn of the 20th century. 

Even though that was well over a hundred years ago, the historic streetcar facilities are still being used by Metrobus. The Capital Traction Company car barn is now the garage for the Northern Division, while the 14th and Colorado turnaround is the terminal for a few bus routes.

The early resident population of 16th Street Heights was mainly white and Jewish. This changed in the 1960s, when an influx of new residents tilted the population, forming a largely African-American community. Today the neighborhood is one of the most demographically diverse neighborhoods in the District. 

Not only is Sixteenth Street Height demographically diverse, it is also home to the working class across the spectrum. You will find high-income earners and middle-class families enjoying the mature landscape and lovely neighborhood. 

.Today, Sixteenth Street Heights has undergone an immense transformation. Street upon street, you will find homes being fully renovated with an inflow of young families. Prices in this area are more affordable than in neighborhoods closer to the heart of DC. The lower prices are attractive, and the variety of styles and floor plans will suit just about any taste. 

The neighborhood is near the Carter Barron Amphitheater and Rock Creek Park, which offer excellent entertainment and outdoor recreation.

Aside from a handful of corner shops and restaurants, 16th Street Heights has few commercial districts, so many residents drive elsewhere for most of their shopping.

Entertainment

Music & Parks

  • Takoma Station Tavern Soul, jazz & various other artists play on a small stage in a cozy space with pub food & full bar.
  • Moreland’s TavernA multi-level local serving snacks, comfort fare & local brews in lively, brick-walled surrounds.
  • 9:30 Club– A nightclub and concert venue in Washington, D.C. In 2018 the 9:30 Club was named one of the 10 best live music venues in America by Rolling Stone, and in 2019 the club was named “Venue of the Decade” by VenuesNow.
  • Red DerbyA neighborhood staple serving an extensive list of all-canned beer, full bar, dinner, and late-night food. The Derby is a place for neighbors and friends.
  • Slash Run– Bar inspired by hair-metal music with a jukebox, 100-plus kinds of whiskey, unusual burgers & more.
  • Upshur Park– Neighborhood green space with a baseball field & basketball courts, plus open, grassy areas.
  • Triangle Park– Small tree-lined green space with sidewalks and works of art.
  • Missouri Ave Park– Here you’ll find a baseball diamond, football field, and some exciting playground equipment to keep the children busy.
  • Meridian Hill Park– Meridian Hill Park is a structured urban park in the Washington, D.C., neighborhood of Columbia Heights. It borders the nearby neighborhood of Adams Morgan. The park was designed and built between 1912 and 1940.
  • Upshur Dog Park– A bare-bones recreational facility for your puppies can be found at the corner of Arkansas and Allison Streets, NW. This park is in a residential area and is fully fenced to keep everyone safe.
  • 11th and Monroe St Park– Originally used by streetcars, the site has a playground, seating & tables to play chess & checkers.

Shopping/Restaurants 

Popular Shopping and Eats

  • Heights Shopping Center– Strip mall where you’ll find lots to eat. From Chinese food to seafood to pizza, a little something for everyone.
  • DC USA– DC USA is an 890,000-square-foot retail development in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. A Washington City Paper poll named DC USA the “Best Designed Retail Space” of 2009. The development is adjacent to the Columbia Heights station on the Yellow and Green Lines of the Washington Metro.
  • Jerusalhttps://www.facebook.com/Jerusalem.Furniture.washingtondc/em Furniture– All your furniture needs can be met here at Jerusalem Furniture.
  • Willow– A gift shop featuring glassware, kid’s clothing, and more with the DC Flag and neighborhood landmarks.
  • Prime Thrift– A popular thrift store that has fully supported American Veterans in the DC area for 50 years.
  • Moreland’s Tavern– A multi-level local serving snacks, comfort fare & local brews in lively, brick-walled surrounds.
  • Atxondo– Offering meals of excellent quality. The key to our success is simple: providing quality, consistent food that tastes great every single time. We pride ourselves on serving our customer’s delicious genuine dishes like Seafood Paella.
  • Catrachitos– You can taste Honduran culture here. The menu has fresh options created with high-quality ingredients such as meats, green bananas, plantains, and our unique Honduran baleadas.  
  • Busboys and Poets– Busboys and Poets is a community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted. A place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body, and soul. It’s a space for art, culture, and politics to collide intentionally. Serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch.
  • Republic– Market-driven & seafood-centric American eatery with an oyster bar, plus quaint vintage elements.
  • Smokey’s– Bare-bones counter is known for its chicken wings, plus simple subs & breakfast choices.

Schools

Best Public High Schools

Best Public Elementary Schools

Public Transportation

Buses/Trains

16th St & Upshur St– Bus stop

16th St & Madison St– Bus stop

16th St & Kennedy St– Bus stop

16th St & Allison St– Bus stop

16th St & Missouri Ave– Bus stop

16th St & Buchanan St– Bus stop

Median Home Value

$772,000 as of 2023

Renters: 47%

Owners: 53%

Demographics

Population 11,590

Median household income –  $116,646

Median age: 37

Families with children – 24%

High school diploma or equivalent – 17%

College Degree: 62%

43% African American

32% Hispanic

17% White

8% Other

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