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Bradford

Bradford

Located in Mckean County

$150,306 Average Value
$96 Average Price per Sq Ft
25 Homes For Sale

Bradford is a scenic small town in the hills

Bradford is a jam-packed community holding tight to its small-town character in the Allegheny Mountains. The area is home to a university, a hospital and company headquarters for world-renowned Zippo lighters. Yet it’s still an area full of quiet residential blocks. “It’s small-town living, so it’s a slower pace of life,” says local Realtor Heather Chase of ERA Team VP Real Estate, who has over eight years of industry experience. “If my husband locked the doors on the house, I wouldn’t be able to get in because I don’t have a key. That’s how safe we feel.”

Well-established homes offer buyers an eclectic selection

Bradford is full of classic architecture, with some homes dating back to the 1800s. The area has all manner of Victorian, foursquare, gable-front and ranch-style houses, many of them on sidewalk-lined blocks. Homes in and around the heart of town come on compact lots, often around a tenth of an acre, though homebuyers can find larger lots on the outskirts. Houses needing updates sell for $20,000 to $70,000, while options in better condition go for anywhere from $70,000 to $380,000.

Downtown Bradford is a vibrant business district

Brick Italianate-style buildings dot Bradford’s downtown skyline. The buildings feature businesses like Cummins Country Charm, offering a variety of seasonal home decor. Also, J&M’s Closet, a thrift store specializing in clothing. Bradford’s downtown dining scene includes spots like Kabob's at The Option House, housed in a 1902 building with glass chandeliers and intricate wood paneling. “Kabob’s is our No. 1,” Chase says. Taco Inc. is a draw for not just tacos, fajitas and margaritas. Locals can pick up groceries downtown at Tops or spend and afternoon at the Zippo/Case Museum on the south side of town. Founded in Bradford in the 1930s, Zippo owns the Case knives company and is still the largest employer across McKean County.

Community can gather around downtown on multiple occasions

Downtown Bradford doubles as a hub for community events. For example, summer Nights in the Square attracts people for a series of free concerts in June and July, with food trucks and other vendors. Pumpkin Fest in September features a parade, games and wagon rides. Old Fashioned Christmas in December includes a breakfast with Santa, storytime with Mrs. Claus and more, accented by a backdrop of Christmas music. “This is a great way of life, are you kidding me?” Chase says. “We literally still pipe in Christmas music on Main Street and do carriage rides. Normal Rockwell probably visited here.”

Bradford schools foster career development

The Bradford Area School District receives a B-minus grade from Niche. George G. Blaisdell Elementary includes prekindergarten through second grade and has a Parent Lighthouse Team supporting school programming. School Street Elementary covers grades 3 through 5 and hosts a meet-and-greet with teachers before the start of the year. Floyd C. Fretz Middle has its own STEM class. Students at Bradford Area High can participate in career and technical education programs in topics including automotive technology, carpentry and engineering.

The University of Pittsburgh Bradford has over 960 students on its 500-acre campus. The school offers over 40 majors, with business management, biology and nursing among the most popular.

Varied parks and trails offer opportunities to get active

Bradford’s park system includes the 28-acre Callahan Park, which is packed with basketball and tennis courts, athletic fields and a playground. The space also features the Barcroft Pool, open from June to August, and an indoor ice rink that's open six days a week. The smaller Hanley Park has a skate park and a playground. The community’s Tuna Valley Trails system has four paths totalling almost 12 miles. The 65,000-acre Allegany State Park offers two lakes, almost 200 campsites and over 80 miles of trails.

U.S. highway carries drivers toward other communities

Commuters in Bradford have quick access to U.S. Route 219, also known as the Pittsburgh-Buffalo Highway. The roadway takes drivers north toward Buffalo, New York, about 80 miles away. Bradford Regional Airport has daily flights to Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. The Area Transportation Authority offers bus service around the community, with local stops at places like the Bradford Regional Medical Center, which has an emergency department.

Wayne Epps Jr.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Heather Chase, an experienced agent in this area.

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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

Parks in this Area

Bradford Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$147,900
Median Sale Price
$131,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$134,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
6%
Last 12 months Home Sales
94
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
14%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$96

Area Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,030
Number of Homes for Sale
25
Median Year Built
1940
Months of Supply
3.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,225
Above the national average
1,925
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,184
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
14,374

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Bradford Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
8,464
Median Age
39
Population under 18
25.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$38,109
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$54,885

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
88.3%
College Graduates
15.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.9%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
57.4%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
78°F
Annual Snowfall
59''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®®

66 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®®

64 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Bradford