Charleroi preserves its history and welcomes a diverse population
Situated at the bend of the Monongahela River, the borough of Charleroi is one of 38 municipalities that make up the Mon Valley. Originally, in the early 20th century, the borough was an employment destination for those looking for work in glass and steel factories. “I love the history of this place. We got the name from Charleroi in Belgium, since we were largely put on the map by Belgian immigrants manufacturing glass,” says the borough manager, Joseph Manning. As time went on, Charleroi was affected by deindustrialization and would find itself looking for new avenues of growth.
Throughout the 21st century, Charleroi welcomed waves of immigrants from Haiti, who were initially introduced to the borough through an employment agency that worked with Fourth Street Foods, a packaging plant. In 2024, the area gained unsuspected spotlight from news outlets worldwide, reporting on its surprisingly large Haitian population. “For us, it was never news. They’re just everyday members of our borough. It’s very diverse here, and we have gorgeous historic churches of all faiths involved in community aid.”
Historic downtown Charleroi features boutiques and family dining.
St. John’s Lutheran Church anchors Charleroi’s historic district.
1/2
Historic homes, from Craftsman properties to National Folk styles
Charleroi is not a world of new construction; noticeable is the presence of antique architecture that stands proudly on the gridded downtown streets. “We’re being very proactive in taking down blighted properties and trying to get new homes put up after they’re torn down, or turning the empty lots into pocket parks,” Manning says. Most homes in Charleroi were built between 1900 and 1950, and styles are diverse, from modest cottages and National Folk properties to original Craftsman houses. Houses can sell anywhere between $13,000 and $205,000, depending on the amount of renovation needed. The neighborhood has a healthy mix of renters and owners, as many larger buildings have been converted into condominiums and duplexes.
Historic homes sit close together along Fallowfield Avenue.
Victorian homes are common across Charleroi’s older neighborhoods.
1/2
Diverse recreation in Charleroi and revitalizing park spaces
The community has several small green spaces spread throughout, but the most popular recreational spots are situated along the Monongahela River. Charleroi Community Park offers a playground, a walking trail by the waterside, a basketball court and a softball field. “We have a couple of parks that are getting new pavilions set up with electric and water so that we can host different events there in the future. We’re excited to see these new projects completed,” Manning says. A boat launch is located at the end of 2nd Street, where locals can push off kayaks and nonmotorized crafts into the river.
Charleroi Trustees Community Park has multiple baseball fields for little league games.
Magic City Riverfront Park offers trails and river access.
1/2
Historic downtown has boutiques, world markets and family restaurants
McKean and Fallowfield avenues, running through Charleroi’s historic downtown district, are lined with independently owned boutiques, international grocery markets and locally owned restaurants. The River House Café has been serving steak and seafood to the community for nearly two decades, while eateries such as the family-owned Mexi Taco are newer to the dining scene. “We’ve been demolishing empty storefronts in different areas of the borough proper so we can bring in more businesses,” Manning says. “We have a very ambitious committee hoping to bring in a microbrewery, a deli, fun new things. They’ve been consulting the borough council to see what viable businesses for our economy will be.”
Friends and family meet for lunch at Lenzi's Restaurant near Charleroi.
Tim's Secret Treasures is a fascinating antique store in Charleroi.
1/2
Students can earn credits through apprenticeships and service
The Charleroi Area School District serves the community, which gets a C-plus from Niche. Most kids living in Charleroi will start at Charleroi Elementary Center, which earns a C-plus, before heading to C-rated Charleroi Area Middle. Charleroi Area High, with a B-minus rating, offers five different pathways that allow students to meet the graduation standard. Aside from the traditional classroom setting, the high school has several ways students may earn credits, whether from career apprenticeships, service projects or industry-based certifications.
Charleroi Elementary School is a public K-5 school.
Charleroi Area Middle and High School are public schools and housed in one complex.
1/2
Community gathering during vibrant Magic City Saturday
Charleroi’s many churches put on small events throughout the year, such as community dinners and charity drives, but the summertime brings the community’s most anticipated gathering. “We have an annual event called Magic City Saturday around Fourth of July, where we do a big fireworks show and bring in bands, the whole thing,” Manning says. “Our Haitian community does a huge march during the parade and puts on a public brunch at the Presbyterian church in our historic district.”
Major highways connect Charleroi to Pittsburgh and Columbus
Charleroi sits by several thoroughfares, including but not limited to Route 43 and Interstate 70. Residents can use Route 43 to travel 27 miles north into Pittsburgh, while I-70 runs east to cities such as Columbus. While Charleroi has a small health center, Penn Highlands Mon Valley, a 24-hour hospital, is only 4 miles away in Monongahela. Pittsburgh International Airport is 50 miles away on the city’s northeast side for commercial flights on major airlines.
Photography Contributed By
Jeffrey Knight
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Barbara Baker,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Charleroi, PA sell after 88 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Charleroi, PA over the last 12 months is $79,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Stylish & newly remodeled 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home offering the perfect blend of modern comfort and neighborhood charm. Located in a quiet, quaint setting with fresh renovations, bright living spaces, and a functional layout designed for today’s lifestyle. Three spacious bedrooms provide flexibility for family, guests, or a home office. Conveniently located with quick access to Rt. 70, Rt. 88,
The property is sold As-Is, Where-Is. Seller has no knowledge, buyer should perform their due diligence and make their own assessments. BUNDLE DEAL - 4 properties total. 3 lots and one home included in bundle.. Properties included - 2 lots off of 837 in Finleyville, (house) 606 11th Street in Charleroi, and (lot) 10 Cross Creek Rd. This 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom home is a great flip opportunity for
Welcome home! This beautifully kept 3 bedroom, 1 bath property is the perfect blend of comfort, character, and opportunity. Step inside and you’ll find bright, inviting living spaces, warm hardwood floors, and a layout that feels open and easy to live in. The kitchen features stainless steel appliances and plenty of cabinet space.All three bedrooms offer great natural light and flexibility for
Welcome to your recently-updated 3-bedroom, 2-bath home on Highland Ave.We are pet-friendly! Your dogs and cats are welcome at 500 Highland Avenue.Step into a refreshed interior with a contemporary vibe. This home comes equipped with modern essentials: sits on a private lot Stove, Oven, and refrigerator. Granite and quartz countertops grace the modernized kitchen, which also
You're going to love this open floor plan! The first floor features the living room, upgraded kitchen, full bath and laundry room. Upstairs you'll find the 3 bedrooms and a conveniently located 1/2 bath. This home has been extremely well maintained and upgraded through the years. There are 2 decks which are perfect for kicking back in the evenings. Additional storage is available in the shed.
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.
