Blairsville blends mountain views with modern conveniences
Blairsville is characterized by its nature trails, historic buildings and small-town vibe. “It has a combination of that older feeling and modern amenities, including tons of small businesses,” says Anna Clark, a Blairsville resident and Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty. “It’s a great little place if you don’t want that big city feel.” While the town is centrally located near U.S. Routes 22 and 119, it also has country views, farmland and access to the outdoors. “It’s surrounded by the Allegheny Mountains and along the Conemaugh River,” says Lee Ann Henry, a Realtor with Realty One Group Landmark. “There are a lot of hiking, biking, and fishing opportunities nearby.”
Historic homes and narrow streets reflect Blairsville’s past
Henry says architecture here tends to be a mix of older brick homes, canal-era buildings and railroad-era commercial or mixed residential/commercial structures. “The town was laid out in the 1810s and 1820s as a turnpike/canal town, later a railroad hub, so there are homes and lots tracing back to older town planning patterns,” Henry adds. “That gives irregular lot shapes, older street grids and homes that often front narrow streets.” Lot sizes are often less than a quarter of an acre. The median sale price is about $170,000, less than half of the national median. Homes stay on the market for about 85 days, higher than the national average of 52 days.
River Valley and Derry Area schools serve local students
Students can attend Blairsville Elementary School, River Valley Middle and River Valley High, which all earn a C-plus grade from Niche. “The district has gone through a lot of changes,” Henry says of the C-plus-rated River Valley School District. “We have recently merged Saltsburg and Blairsville, making the classes very large.” The district built a new field house and football stadium in 2025. Some students with Blairsville addresses will be zoned for the Derry Area School District, which receives a B-minus rating.
Trails and parks offer hiking, kayaking and summer concerts
The area has many trails, including the Blairsville Riverfront Trail along the Conemaugh River. Nearby, the Hoodlebug and Ghost Town Trails are two longer paths. Kayaking on the river is a common weekend activity, as is visiting a local green space like Veterans' Memorial Park. “The park has an amphitheater, and they do a lot of music events there all summer long with different bands each week,” Clark says. Blairsville Rec Center has indoor basketball and volleyball courts, as well as outdoor baseball fields and tennis courts. Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort & Conference Center offers two public golf courses to play on.
Historic buildings house eateries while big-box stores serve basics
The town has a few local cafes, diners and restaurants, like Ravaila's. The Italian eatery has been open since 2009. The Villa Pub and Grill has a varied menu ranging from pizza to paninis. Market Street Pastries serves its sweets in a restored historic building. There are also many fast-food options to choose from. “We will be getting a Starbucks here soon,” Henry says. “Everyone is pretty excited about it.” Small businesses and shops line East Market Street, but most people in town do their everyday shopping at Walmart.
Annual festivals and parades bring the town together
The annual Knotweed Festival is a summer day of live music, a petting zoo and tours of the historic Blairsville Underground Railroad. The town goes all out for the holiday season. “Light-Up Night around Christmas is awesome,” Henry says. “There is a parade for just about every holiday, and sometimes we take our horses to the Christmas one.” Meanwhile, Clark says the cookie walk is her favorite part of the tradition. “Businesses sign up, and everyone can walk through town and get a cookie from each storefront,” she says. Friends of Blairsville Communities hosts other events throughout the year.
Major highways and bus routes connect Blairsville to nearby cities
Drivers use U.S. Routes 22 and 119 to navigate the area. The drive to Indiana, Pennsylvania, is around 15 miles north, while Pittsburgh is around 40 miles west. “Blairsville has a good balance of quiet living with access to amenities,” Henry says. There is some walkability downtown, and Indiana County Transit Authority has a bus route from Blairsville to Indiana that includes a loop downtown. Around 16 miles away, Arnold Palmer Regional Airport has direct flights to a few cities, including Orlando. Johnstown Airport is about 30 miles away but offers more direct flights.
