Where We're From

Where people living in the Mid-Atlantic were born

The Mid-Atlantic is one of the most diverse geographic regions of the nation, with residents of many different backgrounds, races, and cultures. While a small majority of the region's residents are native to the region, a large proportion of residents are transplants from other regions of the country or immigrated here from other countries. Last month, the New York Time's The Upshot blog published interactive graphs detailing where the residents of all 50 states and D.C. originated from (and migrated to) using recent US Census data. (NOTE: Click "Switch to Migration" button above graph to see origination data).

Using the data from the graphs and the Census site, I decided to focus specifically on the Mid-Atlantic states and created my own graphs (above). As you can see, approximately 62% of people living in the Mid-Atlantic are native to their current state of residence, while approx. 20% where born in another state (including another Mid-Atlantic state), and a significant 18% were born overseas. Although, these numbers only focus on one aspect of diversity, place of origin, they really underscore the fact that the Mid-Atlantic is a very cosmopolitan region. Glancing at the detailed tables on the NY Times page also reveals that this diversity has been steadily increasing over time, and it won't be surprising if Mid-Atlantic residents native to their home state are in the minority at some point in the next few decades.

Of course, there's a large demographic variation between the Mid-Atlantic states. For instance, in Pennsylvania, a whopping 74% of the population was born in that state, while only 37% of Washington D.C. residents were born in the District. As for immigrants from overseas, a very sizable 25% of New York state residents were born in another country, while a paltry 2% of West Virginia residents were born outside of the U.S.

The Best Colleges and Universities in the Mid-Atlantic

How the region's higher education institutions stack up against the rest of the country and each other

Nassau Hall on the campus of Princeton University (Princeton, NJ) - the #1 ranked university in the country
Photo Credit: Flickr user schizoform

Last week, US News & World Report released the 2015 edition of its annual rankings of the nation's colleges and universities. The Mid-Atlantic had a pretty impressive showing. being home to 7 out of the top 25 'national universities' and 7 out of the top 25 'national liberal arts colleges.' The nation's top-ranked national university, Princeton University, is also located in the Mid-Atlantic. Below are excerpts of the more popular rankings to give a better idea of how the region's schools stacks up against others across the country.

2015 'National University' Rankings (Mid-Atlantic schools in bold)

Rank	School Name	Location
1.	Princeton University	Princeton, NJ
2.	Harvard University	Cambridge, MA
3.	Yale University	New Haven, CT
4. (tie)	Columbia University	New York, NY
4. (tie)	Stanford University	Stanford, CA
4. (tie)	University of Chicago	Chicago, IL
7.	Massachusetts Insitute of Technology	Cambridge, MA
8. (tie)	Duke University	Durham, NC
8. (tie)	University of Pennsylvania	Philadelphia, PA
10.	California Institute of Technology	Pasadena, CA
11.	Dartmouth College	Hanover, NH
12.	Johns Hopkins University	Baltimore, MD
13.	Northwestern University	Evanston, IL
14.	Washington University in St. Louis	St. Louis, MO
15.	Cornell University	Ithaca, NY
16. (tie)	Brown University	Providence, RI
16. (tie)	University of Notre Dame	Notre Dame, IN
16. (tie)	Vanderbilt University	Nashville, TN
19.	Rice University	Houston, TX
20.	University of California—​Berkeley	Berkeley, CA
21. (tie)	Emory University	Atlanta, GA
21. (tie)	Georgetown University	Washington, D.C.
23. (tie)	University of California—​Los Angeles	Los Angeles, CA
23. (tie)	University of Virginia	Charlottesville, VA
25. (tie)	Carnegie Mellon University	Pittsburgh, PA
25. (tie)	University of Southern California	Los Angeles, CA

Gilman Hall, Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD) - 12th ranked national university
Photo Credit: Flickr user clio1789

The seven Mid-Atlantic schools in the top 25 'National Liberal Arts Colleges:'

Rank	School Name	Location
3.	Swarthmore College	Swarthmore, PA
8. (tie)	Haverford College	Haverford, PA
11.	Vassar College	Poughkeepsie, NY
13.	United States Naval Academy	Annapolis, MD
15. (tie)	Hamilton College	Clinton, NY
22.	Colgate University	Hamilton, NY
24.	United States Military Academy	West Point, NY

The Mid-Atlantic's Most Expensive Urban Condos

These extremely pricey, ultra-luxury, ultra-extravagant, ultra-exclusive properties cater to celebrities, CEO's, and power brokers

This past spring a 6,737 sq. ft. condominium unit in Friendship Heights, MD sold for $8.65 million to an undisclosed buyer, a new record for the Washington D.C. area. This happened barely a year after the same unit set the previous sale record at $7.95 million. The 18th-floor penthouse unit located at the exclusive Parc Somerset high-rise has five bedrooms, five bathrooms, 300-degree views, multiple balconies, and a solarium. 

In light of this record-breaking sale and the resurgence of the urban luxury condo market, this is a great time to look at the most expensive condominium units in the major urban areas of the Mid-Atlantic. As you'll see below, New York is clearly the champion (by a mile) of commanding stratospheric prices for condo units.

Washington D.C. Area

Parc Somerset

Parc Somerset

Highest price for unit: $8.65 million
Building height: 18 stories
Location: Friendship Heights, MD

Located just a half mile across the border from Washington D.C. in the urban Friendship Heights neighborhood of Chevy Chase, MD, Parc Somerset is part of a three building condo complex collectively called Somerset House which is composed of high-rises 18 to 21 stories tall. Despite being nestled in a gated 17-acre park-like oasis that includes tennis and racquetball courts, clubhouse, and gym, residents are within walking distance of plenty of shopping and transportation amenities. These include ultra-high end stores such as Saks 5th Avenue, Cartier, Bulgari, Ralph Lauren, Jimmy Choo, Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, and Tiffany's which line a segment of Wisconsin Ave known as the "Rodeo Drive of DC," a plethora of upscale restaurants, Whole Foods and Giant grocery stores, and a Metro station on the Red Line. Residents include former National Football League Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and JLL CEO Colin Dyer.

Upcoming competition:
The Lauren Bethesda

The Lauren Bethesda

Under construction in the heart of downtown Bethesda, just 10 minutes up ritzy Wisconsin Ave from Parc Somerset, is a condo development likely to challenge the Somerset's reign as the most exclusive condo in the DC Area. This 7-story, 40-unit project named The Lauren will boast direct access elevators, private rooftop terraces for select units, home automation systems featuring iPad control, and private wine cellars. In addition, the building will also be within walking distance of a Red Line station and high-end shopping/restaurants. Sale prices for typical units will range between $2.5 and $5 million. The 5,700 sq. ft. penthouse (which comes with a "butler pantry" and maids quarters') "will be priced fairly dearly," according to the developer.

In addition to The Lauren, luxury home-builder Toll Brothers is preparing to construct their own 7-story condo building practically next door on the same block. There are three other condo projects on the near term horizon in Downtown Bethesda, the current hotspot for luxury condos in the Washington D.C. Area.

Philadelphia Metro Area

1706 Rittenhouse Square Street

1706 Rittenhouse

Highest price for unit: $12,459,000
Building height: 31 stories
Location: Center City, Philadelphia, PA

Located in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Philadelphia, this 31-story luxury high-rise was completed in 2010 and is currently 100% sold. The building is currently home to surgeons, pediatricians, real estate magnates, CEOs, and two Phillies pitchers. Each 4,200 sq. ft. unit is comprised of a full floor (with the exception of the two-story penthouse) and has a floor-plan customized by the buyer. One special amenity of note is an automated, 64-space underground parking garage. Residents use their fob to call for their vehicle from the garage or from within one of the two elevator banks.



Upcoming competition:
500 Walnut

500 Walnut

A follow up on the successful 1706 Rittenhouse project, 500 Walnut will be located at the corner of Fifth and Walnut Streets across Independence National Historical Park from Independence Hall. The building will be 26 stories tall and will have 37 condo units. It will include "ultra-luxury" amenities such as a two-story fitness center fully equipped with yoga room, massage room and steam room, as well as a a large outdoor terrace overlooking National Historic Park. Two two-story, 8,400 sq. ft. penthouse units will be available, each featuring a private elevator, multiple balconies, and fireplaces. Like it's older sibling, 1706 Rittenhouse, 500 Walnut will also boast a fully automated underground parking system for over 80 vehicles. Groundbreaking is expected Spring 2015 with delivery in Spring 2017.