Fort Washington has an enviable location, nestled along the banks of the Potomac River and just a short drive from the National Harbor. The city takes its name from Fort Washington, a defensive fort erected to protect the capitol from enemy advances. Unfortunately, the fort failed its purpose, having been taken by the British during the War of 1812 following the burning of the White House.
Today, however, Fort Washington is an extensive and very attractive park with gorgeous Potomac River views, scenic picnic areas, and miles of walking and jogging paths. Having remained rather rural and unsettled for many decades, the area underwent a period of rapid growth and development beginning in the 60s, and now it is a desirable and convenient DC suburb.
If you are relocating to the DC area or just looking for a more congenial place near the city to put down roots, here are some reasons to consider Fort Washington for your next home.
Unlike many DC suburbs, Fort Washington boasts a very ethnically diverse population; African Americans, Caucasians, Asians, and Hispanics are well represented in the city's demographics, and 15 percent of its residents are foreign born. Fort Washington's diversity is represented in its other demographic metrics, as well. Married people and those currently single make up similar proportions of the population, and the number of residents with a bachelor's degree or higher is nearly equal to the number of residents with a high school diploma.
Like its more affluent neighbors Arlington and Alexandria, Fort Washington is also a white collar town, with some 89 percent of its residents working in a white collar job, spread equally among management, the sciences, administrative support, and computer technology.
Fort Washington is a community largely made up of families with children; in fact, about 78 percent of all households have children under age 18 living in them. The median income is quite high compared to the rest of the state (around $109,000 per year), and there is a very high rate of home ownership, especially detached single family homes (only about 10 percent of homes are occupied by renters). The median home value for a single family home is about $316,000; the majority of homes have at least three bedrooms. Both the unemployment rate and poverty rate are well below state and national averages, as well.
These statistics tend to support a family-centric quality of life, with low crime rates, safe schools, and abundant, well-maintained parks and recreational facilities, all of which are true of Fort Washington. For a city of just 25,000 or so, Fort Washington boasts two marinas (Tantallon and Fort Washington), a yacht club (the Prince Georges Yacht Club), and nine major city parks including the Potomac River Waterfront Park and Riverview Recreation Center, and the National Golf Club at Tantallon, a PGA Tour-caliber course. Fort Washington also fields a variety of competitive youth sports leagues in basketball, football, soccer, lacrosse, and baseball, among others.
It's no surprise that routes from Fort Washington into DC are congested during peak commute times; the average commute is about 40 minutes, a little above the state average. On the other hand, about 90 percent of the city's residents take public transportation to work, taking many of the hassles out of the daily trip.
If your work takes you out of town frequently, there are two airports and eight Amtrak stations within a 30-minute drive from Fort Washington, and there is metro access to the terminals and stations, as well.
While Fort Washington itself is a more peaceful, family-oriented suburb, it's easy to get to DC's amazing shopping districts such as Georgetown, DuPont Circle and Friendship Heights. No matter what tempts your passions, you can find it in the upscale enclaves around DC.
In addition, you're close to world-class entertainment; it's just a short metro ride to the Kennedy Center, the Washington Ballet, and the National Opera Center. If fine dining is what excites you, you'll find superb restaurants featuring international cuisines such as Komi, Fiola, and Rasika.
Don't forget the National Harbor practically next door. Enjoy cocktails in the massive foyer of the swanky Gaylord Hotel, browse the upscale shops and boutiques, and take a turn on the massive 180-foot Ferris wheel for absolutely stunning views of the river and the capitol. Bring the kids during the warm summer months for an afternoon playing in the sand and enjoying the classic foods of summer. If you've never met a farmer's market you didn't love, you'll enjoy Miller Farms market every Saturday and Sunday from May through December.
The DC area offers so many unique suburbs and communities it's difficult to know which one is best for you. If you are looking for a safe, family-oriented community with plenty of parks and water activities, not to mention a very reasonably priced housing market compared to many DC suburbs, you should definitely take a look at Fort Washington real estate as a place to call home.
