Le Droit Park

LeDroit Park is a neighborhood of approximately 2,387 residents located in the northwest section of the city. Located just south of Howard University, the neighborhood is within the boundaries of Rhode Island Avenue N.W., U Street N.W., Georgia Avenue N.W., W Street N.W. and 2nd Street N.W.. Howard University Hospital as well as several building belonging to Howard University are located within LeDroit Park. In 2010 the average price for a home sold in this neighborhood was $419,375, with 29% of the homes being owner occupied. The neighborhood has a mixture of detached single family homes as well as attached row style homes that are common to the city. In general the homes are well maintained and the neighborhood is very attractive.

There are no schools in the neighborhood beyond Howard University. Since this is primarily a residential neighborhood, residents will find few restaurants as well as limited shopping. There are several Metro Bus stops within the neighborhood and the Shaw Metro Station is nearby, but not within the neighborhood. Many people will enjoy the nearby Common Good City Farm. There are two places of worship within the neighborhood. Recreational and nightlife options are best found in other neighborhoods

Recent crime statistics are troubling and indicate a mix of crimes against people and property including a homicide. As usual you should review the crime statistics and make an informed decision of the crime risk before moving into any neighborhood.

LeDroit Park is a neighborhood with lots of character and quite a history. It was an early subdivision and, even though it was outside Howard University, restricted to whites only. Nowadays, it is a lovely, middle-class black neighborhood, full of both professionals and students. Since the neighborhood was planned as a subdivision, there isn’t much commercial property there. However, it is quite picturesque, with unique row homes. You’ll be within walking distance of nearly everything, including a Metro station. Naturally, because of its proximity to Howard University, there are some homes occupied by groups of students, which has its disadvantages.
Some famous people have lived in LeDroit Park, including Duke Ellington (famous jazz musician) and Jesse Jackson, the social activist of recent years. Now a historic district, the neighborhood boasts some interesting murals depicting Black history and community togetherness. This is quite a change from its past in segregation!
To live in LeDroit park then is to live in the middle of history, especially the history of desegregation and racial equality. Being next to Howard University, the neighborhood is quite convenient for professors and students alike, and it draws some of the best and brightest young Blacks from around the country.

Located just southeast of Howard University, LeDroit Park was one of the first suburbs developed in Washington DC. Famous for its charming 19ths century row houses, it also features some lovely historic mansions and plenty of single family homes. From the beginning, curb appeal has been a vital part of this community’s look. The developers who designed the streets and homes created large front lawns shade by many growing trees. Unfortunately, they also created narrow streets more suitable to horse drawn carriages than automobiles.
One of the more intriguing aspects of LeDroit Park’s history is that it was integrated very early in its history. By the 1940s, many of its leading citizens were African Americans.
Today, LeDroit Park continues to be an excellent example of successful multi-cultural living. A few years ago the DC government gave a grant to Gavin Baker to design and execute a series of large scale murals to “visually engage residents through a beautiful neighborhood mural that depicts the unique landscapes, people and images of the historic LeDroit Park community. The mural will become a prominent landmark in the neighborhood for years to come.”