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Capitol Hill Community Guide Real Estate The heartbeat of the nation.

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Updated 4/10/2023

History and Flavor

Capitol Hill is a quaint neighborhood in southern DC where lawmakers and politicians trade in their suits and dresses for sweatpants and sneakers. Like most of the city, this area is steeped in history. In 1790 it was named Jenkin’s Hill.  Development took off when construction started on the Navy Yard and the US Capitol building.

Capitol Hill was named for its proximity to the US Capitol Building, which houses both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Early on, few Congressmen established residences in the district. Instead, they lived in boarding houses and walked to the Capitol. Now, as many as a third of all members of Congress live on Capitol Hill while in DC.

The neighborhood is largely residential, and several streets are lined with Victorian row houses dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. It boasts great restaurants, verdant parks, and easy access to the rest of the city. Many of the parks, medians, circles, squares, and triangles of modern Capitol Hill evolved from Pierre L’Enfant’s original plans of grand avenues, parks, and buildings. 

Entertainment

Sights

  • Bob Hope Gallery of American Entertainment –  This gallery honors Bob Hope’s extraordinary 70-year entertainment career, which started in Vaudeville. Bob Hope was a legend in music, movies, and variety shows which he often took on the road to entertain American troops. 
  • Library of Congress – Search millions of items in many formats and languages. Explore a growing treasury of digitized materials. Consult with staff online or in one of the research centers to find what you’re looking for.
  • US Capitol Visitor Center – The Capitol Visitor Center is a large underground addition to the Capitol for up to 4000 tourists and an expansion space for Congress.
  • Supreme Court – Home to the nation’s highest court and the manifest symbol of its importance as a coequal, independent branch of government. The Supreme Court Building is open to the public Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is closed on weekends and all federal holidays.
  • Folger Shakespeare Library – The Folger Shakespeare Library is an independent research library on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., United States. It has the world’s most extensive collection of the printed works of William Shakespeare and is a primary repository for rare materials from the early modern period.

Shopping/Restaurants 

Popular Shopping and Eats

  • Boutique On The Hill – A quaint store with a unique style. The “Boutique” has a professional selection for the businesswoman and attire for the casual woman.
  • Capitol Hill Books – A used bookstore located with three floors of quality used books, first editions, and rare books.
  • City Center DC – CityCenterDC is a mixed-use development consisting of two condominium buildings, two rental apartment buildings, two office buildings, a luxury hotel, and a public park in downtown Washington, D.C. It encompasses 2,000,000 square feet and covers more than five city blocks.
  • Summit to Soul – An athleisure boutique featuring a curated collection of responsibly sourced athletic apparel and accessories that tell a story and will take you everywhere from the mat to the mountain.
  • Ambar Capitol Hill – Small plates menu of traditional Balkan dishes plus regional spirits presented in rustic, chic digs.
  • Joselito Casa de Comidas – Tapas, mains and family-style Spanish dishes served in a cozy bistro decorated with old family photos.
  • Ted’s Bulletin– Hearty eats from morning to night served in airy, art deco digs with classic film screenings.
  • The Eastern Market – a public market in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C., housed in a 19th-century brick building. Eastern Market is DC’s destination for fresh food, community events, local farm-fresh produce, and handmade arts and crafts on weekends.

Schools

Best Public High Schools

Best Public Elementary Schools

Public Transportation

Buses/Trains

Capitol South – Subway

Washington Union Station – Train, Bus, Metro

N Capitol St NE & H St NE – Bus

M St SE & 4th St SE – Bus

Median Home Value

$858,746 as of 2023

Renters: 41%

Owners: 59%

Demographics

Population  10,256

Median household income –  $133,000

Median age: 33

Families with children – 17%

High school diploma or equivalent – 8%

College Degree: 88%

64% White

20% African American

10% Hispanic  

6% Other

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