Cathedral Heights is a historic D.C. neighborhood located in Northwest D.C. just north of Westchester. This lesser-known D.C. neighborhood offers plenty of amenities for residents and visitors to enjoy. It’s a quaint, peaceful and quiet neighborhood with an urban feel. It’s home to many young professionals and retirees, and residents tend to be politically liberal.
Aside from the well known National Cathedral located from which it takes its namesake, Cathedral Heights also offers a variety of different bars, restaurants, cafes, shops, and public parks. Read on to learn more about some of the many benefits of living in the historic Cathedral Heights neighborhood.
1. Demographics
Cathedral Heights DC has a population of of 1,412 people. There are 638 male residents living in Cathedral Heights and 774 female residents with a median age of 36 years old. The population consists of 75.78% U.S. born citizens, 11.83% non-native born citizens, and 12.32% non citizens.
dbking [CC BY 2.0]
White collar professionals make up 52.9% of the population, while blue collar employees account for 1.35% of the population. 6.87% of the population is self employed, while 24.29% are employed by private companies. 11.69% are government employees, and 11.47% work for non-profit organizations.
The neighborhood is home to 573 households, with an average of 2 people per household. 275 are family households, and 298 are non family households. Of those households 133 are households with children and 441 are without children.
2. Get Outdoors
Cathedral Heights is dotted with quite a few great parks and trails where residents and visitors can enjoy a bit of tranquil and relaxing scenery and fresh air. One such park is the Bishop’s Garden, a lush 59 acre park surrounding the Cathedral, home to a five-mile oak and beech forest and gorgeously landscaped gardens that were designed in 1916.
Additionally, Cathedral Heights is also home to the beautiful Glover-Archibold Park, an expansive 183-acre park complete with trees, wildlife, and hiking trails which offer offer a relaxing escape from the bustling city.
3. Food Culture
Cathedral Heights is home to several great eateries such as La Piquette, serving up authentic french cuisine. The daily menu is based on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Stop in and enjoy fresh seafood, steak-frites, and a great selection of fine white and red french wines.
If pizza is more your speed, 2 Amy’s is the place to grab a slice of authentic pizza Napoletana. Diners can’t go wrong with a simple margherita pizza, which has tomato, mozzarella di bufala and basil. There are a number of other delicious and well loved options, such as the puttanesca: a spicy pie with tomato sauce, rapini, fresh mozzarella, garlic, anchovy and hot pepper. All of 2 Amy’s pies are handcrafted, fresh and prepared in strict adherence to the guidelines laid out by the Italian government. Now that’s dedication.
There are many different restaurants in this quaint neighborhood, each catering to particular tastes. No matter what your preference, you’re sure to find a tasty bite to eat in Cathedral Heights.
4. Downsides
One of the biggest cons of living in this area, however, is the lack of public transit. The closest metro station is a 20 minute walk north to Tenleytown. City buses run up and down Wisconsin Avenue, but those that go through the community are unreliable. You could wait 30 minutes, or it might come right away. Most Cathedral park residents own cars. Parking is relatively easy, though the area is rather far from any major highways.
The original uploader was Asiir at English Wikipedia. [CC BY-SA 2.5]
There is also a lack of amenities such as major retail chain stores and grocery stores, with many residents reporting that they commute outside of the neighborhood to do their serious shopping.
5. Bottom Line
Cathedral Heights is a vibrant and peaceful area that caters to those who don’t plan on going out a lot and are seeking a quiet, residential atmosphere. The neighborhood is great for those who may be raising a family.
Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) [CC BY-SA 4.0]
The area is fairly devoid of bustling nightlife. If your idea of a good time is hanging out on the street with neighbors or walking a couple blocks to a local café or bar, Cathedral Heights is probably not the best choice. But if you enjoy quiet environs, low crime rate, and peace of mind, Cathedral Heights may just be the perfect neighborhood for you.