Sara Petrie
Responds Quickly
HOWARD HANNA REAL ESTATE SERVICES
(878) 309-6433
121 Total Sales
1 in Bolivar
$285,000 Price
Bolivar
Located in Westmoreland County
Not too much has changed over the years in Bolivar, established as a company town for industrial workers in the early 19th century. The tiny borough about 50 miles east of Pittsburgh maintains its working-class roots and a strong sense of togetherness. “It’s a small, tight-knit community, but it’s in a depressed area," says Lorraine DiCecco, a Realtor with Loyalhanna Realty, which serves the surrounding Ligonier Valley. "There’s a coal plant in New Florence that employs a lot of people, so if you’re getting a job there, it could be an attractive community. Otherwise, you are there because your family lives there.”
That coal plant, the Conemaugh Generating Station, is located about 7 miles away, but it is slated to close by the end of 2028 because of environmental regulations. Yet Bolivar is nothing if not resilient. The Great Depression wiped out most of the borough’s businesses, but the community that is home to a little over 400 residents has moved forward at its own pace ever since. Today, there are no industries in the borough, but there are several places for the community to interact on a daily basis. “Most people are there because they want to be there," says DiCecco. The Bolivar Community Center, the Borough Building and the American Legion headquarters host an array of events that includes everything from art classes to seminars on health care and outdoor survival training, and provide facilities for recreational games such as pool, darts and cornhole. Local concerts and holiday events take place at Burney Park, also known as Bolivar Park. Bolivar Lanes is a community gathering space where residents can enjoy their spare time with a little friendly competition and comfort food from The Pizza Post, the popular in-house eatery.
Housing consists primarily of established multi-level homes. Brick bungalow-style homes with large porches and ranch-style homes with spacious yards mingle with a collection of architecturally distinct renovations. Manufactured homes on oversized lots built as recently as 2019 also can be found.
Bolivar is part of the Ligonier Valley School District. Laurel Valley Elementary and Ligonier Valley Middle are C-plus-rated schools by Niche. Ligonier Valley High is a B-minus school that gets its highest grade for academics.
With the Conemaugh River forming part of its border and Tubmill Creek running through it, residents of the Westmoreland County community have plenty of opportunities for water-related outdoor recreation. A public boat launch can be found at Kelly Park, just a block from the confluence of the two waterways. Both provide opportunities for open-water and bankside fishing, as well as canoeing and kayaking. Kelly Park’s traditional amenities include a multi-purpose field and basketball and tennis courts. The creek runs south for miles into neighboring Fairfield, while the river is 70 miles long and encompasses parts of Westmoreland, Indiana and Cambria counties.
Mom-and-pop stores are still prevalent in much of western Pennsylvania, and the borough is home to La Mantia Produce, a quaint neighborhood market. The closest retail center is about 10 miles north in Blairsville. It is anchored by a Walmart Supercenter.
Written By
Matt Pallister
Photography Contributed By
Patrick Graham
Video By
Kellan Beaver
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
Agents Specializing in this Area
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Sara Petrie
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Ronald Davies
Ronald Davies
Responds QuicklyDAVIES REAL ESTATE INC
(878) 645-3292
66 Total Sales
1 in Bolivar
$619,200 Price
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Paula Bracken
Paula Bracken
Responds QuicklyREALTY ONE GROUP LANDMARK
(724) 910-2824
65 Total Sales
1 in Bolivar
$92,200 Price
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Michele Haschak
Michele Haschak
Responds QuicklyBERKSHIRE HATHAWAY THE PREFERRED REALTY
(814) 804-1132
255 Total Sales
2 in Bolivar
$170K - $310K Price Range
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Jennifer DiBabbo
Jennifer DiBabbo
Responds QuicklyBHHS Fox & Roach-Center City Walnut
(267) 329-0462
22 Total Sales
1 in Bolivar
$8,000 Price
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Erika Smith
Erika Smith
Responds QuicklyCENTURY 21 FAIRWAYS REAL ESTATE
(878) 309-4571
41 Total Sales
1 in Bolivar
$67,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- Pre-K to 6th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- 7th to 12th
- Public
Bolivar Housing Trends
On average, homes in Bolivar, PA sell after 71 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Bolivar, PA over the last 12 months is $160,000, up 65% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$196,950
Median Sale Price
$160,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$215,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
4%
Last 12 months Home Sales
9
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
$65
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$190
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Months of Supply
4.00
Homes for Sale
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$310,000
- 2 Beds
- 1.5 Baths
- 2554 Route 259
- New 14 days ago
Circa 1918 one-room brick schoolhouse thoughtfully converted into a charming mountain retreat in the Ligonier area. Nestled on 23 wooded acres with a flowing stream, this unique property is a dream for nature lovers seeking privacy and tranquility. The home features an open design with rustic character, 2 cozy bedrooms, and an expansive family room with a convenient kitchenette—perfect for
Scott LudwickBERKSHIRE HATHAWAY THE PREFERRED REALTY(724) 414-3296 -
$155,000
- 3 Beds
- 1.5 Baths
- 642 Washington St
- New 29 days ago
Welcome home to this cozy 3BD/1.5BA brick ranch nestled in a quiet community on an oversized flat corner lot, offering both space and convenience. As you step inside, you’ll be greeted by a warm, inviting floor plan, enhanced by abundant natural light and beautiful oak hardwood floors throughout. The thoughtful layout features comfortable bedrooms and ample storage, making it perfect for family
Adam Slivka CENTURY 21 FAIRWAYS REAL ESTATE
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$45,000
- Land
- 0.26 Acre Lot
- 850 Mckinley St
Spectacular views of the mountains, sitting at the top of Bolivar Boro, on a dead end street. Large 2 car garage sits on over a quarter of an acre with access to the alley. This heated garage has an automatic garage door, half bath, and plenty of room to be used as workspace or storage. Large leveled area to build your new home! Close to Berkey Park, which puts on community events throughout the
Lisa Cairns LOYALHANNA REALTY, LLC
Distribution of Home Values
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
Bolivar Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
110
Median Age
50
Population under 18
20%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
28.2%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$49,999
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$84,182
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.8%
College Graduates
12%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.6%
% Population in Labor Force
54.5%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
48''
Average Winter Low Temperature
18°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
13''
