Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, NY
About Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Clinton Hill may be one of Brooklyn’s smallest neighborhoods, but it certainly packs a punch. Its central location, sandwiched between Fort Greene and Bedford-Stuyvesant, it’s large properties, and its green space makes it one of the area’s most sought after neighborhoods amongst young professionals and families alike.
Clinton Hill is characterized by 19th-century townhouses, stunning mansions, and converted apartments, most of which have now been renovated to provide sizable and unique living spaces for residents. Along with the gentrification of these historic properties has come an uplift of the charming high street, Myrtle Avenue, which is now home to independent eateries and boutique shops. The neighborhood is also home of the renowned Pratt institute, so expect to see many students around.
The History of Clinton Hill
Clinton Hill was once a vast desert of tobacco plantations, owned by the Dutch in the mid-15th-century. Fast forward three hundred years and the area had become a trendy neighborhood on the outskirts of Brooklyn, known to be inhabited by millionaires and local celebrities. Unfortunately, during the 20th century, money drained out of the area, buildings were left empty and the area started to decline. Thanks to a new set of investors, Clinton Hill underwent gentrification in the late 1990s which transformed the neighborhood once again into a trendy, upmarket suburb.
Clinton Hill Demographics
Clinton Hill is home to just over 26,000 people, with an average age of 33. The majority of residents in Clinton Hill are employed in white-collar jobs, with an average household income of $100k per year. More than 60% of people living in Clinton Hill have at least a Bachelor’s Degree, with 25% of the population holding a Masters’s degree or higher. Clinton Hill is ethnically diverse with a large population of White, African American, and Hispanic populations.
Transportation in Clinton Hill
Clinton Hill is well connected to other neighborhoods in Brooklyn as well as to downtown Manhattan. Trains G and C are the main transport connections in town, with C train providing a direct, 30-minute route into midtown from the Clinton Washington stop. The G train, also known as the Crosstown Route, provides services into northwestern Queens as well. Bus routes are aplenty in Clinton Hill too and include routes B25, B26, B38, B48, B52, B57, and B69, just to name a few.
Housing in Clinton Hill
Housing in Clinton Hill’s beautiful tree-lined streets are dominated by large townhouses that are the products of the well-off communities that once lived here. The neighborhood also has a good number of pre-war brownstones and wood-frame houses, many of them located in the Clinton Hill historic district where new real estate development is limited and home maintenance can be costly. Modern apartment buildings are beginning to appear, especially along Myrtle and Fulton, as prices and demand for housing here grows.
Neighborhood Life in Clinton Hill
Clinton Hill is a busy but friendly neighborhood that comes alive with families taking children to school, young professionals commuting into Manhattan, and a vibrant high street full of independents. With plenty of green spaces and child-friendly parks, this place naturally generates a pleasant ambiance that families fall in love with.
Similar Neighborhoods to Clinton Hill
Clinton Hill Real Estate Trends
Over the last decade, real estate in Clinton Hill has boomed. Demand of its beautiful tree-lined streets, brownstones and proximity to Manhattan has created a rise in property prices and rental rates. With more and more money being invested in the area, and historic properties being transformed into sought-after homes, it’s thought that prices will only rise further in the future.
Clinton Hill Median Sale Price (USD):
1bd 690,000
2bd 1,100,000
Clinton Hill Median Rent Price (USD):
1bd 2,700
2bd 3,400
The Truth You Should Know About Clinton Hill
How Safe is Clinton Hill, Brooklyn?
Crime in Clinton Hill is just over average for Brooklyn but is generally considered safe by residents. There are still a few darker streets like Park Ave. (under the BQE) and Flushing Ave. that visitors may feel uneasy using at night, but all in all, streets are well lit and rarely empty.
Are the Schools in Clinton Hill Good?
Clinton Hill sits primarily in district 13 but also dips its toes into district 14 too. Schools in Clinton Hill vary in quality, but all of them meet the statewide standards. Schools include Purvis J.Behan Elementary School, Satellite Three Middle School, and Benjamin Banneker Academy High School. Due to the popularity of Clinton Hill amongst families, there is a high demand for schooling in the area, and high competition for the best performing schools.
Popular eateries in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Despite its small size, Clinton Hill has one of the most diverse restaurant scenes in Brooklyn’s suburbs. Most of these cluster around Myrtle Avenue and Dekalb Avenue and are walkable from most streets in the neighborhood. @grid
Mekelburgs
Bar & Deli
293 Grand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238Dosa Royale
Indian
258 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205SoCo
Southern
509 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205Sisters
New American
900 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11238Peaches Shrimp & Crab
Seafood
285 Grand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238Aita
Italian
132 Greene Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238U-gu
Japanese
541 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205
What to Do in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Search for antique delights while sipping on a perfectly brewed coffee at Urban Vintage.
Sample over 40 draft beers at the Brooklyn Tap House while cozying up next to the fire.
Wander around the 60+ sculptures at the Pratt Institute Campus.
Look out for the seasonal Brooklyn pop-up markets that appear during Easter, Christmas and other holiday seasons.
Relax and refresh at Body By Brooklyn, a highly-rated spa complete with a Turkish aroma steam room, Russian sauna, and massage room.
Check out a live performance organized by the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Is Clinton Hill, Brooklyn Dog Friendly?
Yes. As well as plenty of smaller green spaces in Clinton Hill, the neighborhood is just a short walk away from the large Fort Greene Park and a short drive away from the much larger Prospect Park. There are also a number of bars and restaurants along DeKalb Ave and Myrtle Ave that will allow you to bring your dogs inside or into the garden.
Is Clinton Hill, Brooklyn Good for Cycling?
Clinton Hill is neither good nor bad for cycling. There aren’t tonnes of bicycle lanes around the neighborhood, but its wide tree-lined streets leave plenty of rooms for cyclists and motor vehicles to share the road and traffic is usually calm.
6 Things to Know Before Moving to Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Western Clinton Hill is a historic district and considered to be the best area to live in Clinton Hill, however it also comes with significant restrictions on construction and alterations.
There are little to no chain stores in Clinton Hill as the area is dominated by independent shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Clinton Hill neighbors the fast growing jobs hub at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, which includes a large film studio.
The only Wegmans grocery store in NYC is within walking distance.
A spate of large luxury apartment buildings is changing the nature of low-key Myrtle Avenue, as discount stores and gas stations give way to modern 10-story high rises.
Clinton Hill is a very sought after community among young professionals and young families, as well as a popular spot amongst students from the Pratt Institute.