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 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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
