Donora is a Washington County borough dubbed “The Home of Champions” for its notable list of native athletes. But this area is also home to easy river access, multiple parks, a walkable downtown area and a stylish array of classic homes, making it enticing to both residents and investors. The borough is just about 30 miles south of Pittsburgh, too.
Donora displays some of the athletes that had their start here.
Donora is home to Stan "The Man" Musial, one of baseball's greats!
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Single and multifamily homes in Donora
Donora features a mix of homes with both single-family and multifamily layouts. Many houses here date back to the early to mid-20th century, a collection of colonial-style options. It’s common for buyers to secure properties in Donora to fix up. “It’s a great rental area,” says local Realtor Michael Findle of Century 21 Frontier Realty, who has been selling in the area since 2019. “That’s where all my sales are. I have investors that want to buy there.” Some of these houses come with stately brick exteriors. “They have curb appeal,” Findle says. The homes around Donora stretch around 1,300 square feet on average, and lots span from about 3,000 square feet to 7,500 square feet. Houses here stand along a network of sidewalk-lined residential streets. Properties usually have on-street parking. Sales prices in Donora start at around $30,000 for a fixer-upper and can reach the mid-$200,000s for an option already fully renovated.
Homes line the hilly streets of Donora.
You can find various styles of homes here.
Older homes in Donora are kept looking great by residents.
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The Ringgold School District
Children in Donora can attend schools in the Ringgold School District, starting at Ringgold Elementary South. Ringgold Elementary South has a C overall rating on Niche and among its programs is a STEM Night, full of hands-on activities for students and their families. Students can then move on to Ringgold Middle, which has a C-minus overall grade on Niche and class offerings that include an automation and robotics course for seventh and eighth graders. Students at the B-minus-rated Ringgold High have access to the Mon Valley Career & Technology Center where they can take on a major on topics like automotive technology, computer engineering, culinary arts and welding.
Ringgold Elementary School.
Ringgold Middle School.
Ringgold High School prepares Donora students for the future.
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Valley Transit stops can be found all through Donora.
Hop on Route 51 to Pittsburgh
Residents can hop on nearby Route 51 to get to Pittsburgh, a trip of just about 28 miles. Those who live here can also use Interstate 70 to reach Washington, the seat of Washington County, in about 27 miles. Donora has several Mid Mon Valley Transit bus stops as well, making it even easier to get around the area.
Hit McKean Avenue for shopping and dining
McKean Avenue serves as Donora’s main street, a stretch where locals can stroll around and visit one of the area’s restaurants or other businesses. The Early Bird Diner is one of the options here, popular in part for its breakfast. The pancakes at Early Bird Diner are bigger than the plate. Anthony’s Italiano, meanwhile, is well-liked for its stuffed subs and pizza. Residents can also stop at the family-owned Donora Union Pharmacy for medication or a bite to eat — deli specials range from ravioli to fish sandwiches with fries. Locals can jet over to the Giant Eagle Supermarket in nearby Monongahela for groceries.
Anthony's is the place for Italian food in Donora.
Stop into Chub's Pub in Donora if you like great service.
Get your Donora themed tattoo at Alchemy Arts Tattoo & Permanent Makeup Studio.
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Parks named after baseball legends
The parks in Donora reflect some of the athletic talent that’s from here. The list includes baseball legends Ken Griffey Sr., Ken Griffey Jr. and Stan Musial. Griffey Sr. won a pair of World Series, and Griffey Jr. and Musial are Hall of Famers with 37 All-Star appearances between them. There’s a Ken Griffey Field in Donora, and also a Stan Musial Field across town in the 100-acre Palmer Park. Palmer Park also features a playground, tennis courts, three pavilions and an amphitheater. The Monongahela River runs right by Donora and is also a popular draw for outdoor fun. “A lot of people go kayaking. People do a lot of fishing,” Findle says. “The river has a lot of stuff to do.”
Tennis courts at Palmer Park.
Donnor Park has a gazebo and play area.
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Roll on into Roll 'R' Way in Donora.
Weekend fun at the Roll 'R' Way skate rink
Locals looking for some indoor entertainment can stop by the Roll ’R’ Way skate rink. This spot is known in part for its regular schedule of events, like a Community Funday with free admission and food and a Halloween Party. Roll ’R’ Way also has themed music events, like a Beyonce Skate Night and a Kane Brown vs. Luke Combs Night. The borough hosts Twinkle Bright Night on McKean Avenue each November, too, with fireworks, a Santa Clause appearance and more.
Photography Contributed By
Alan Battles
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Adam Wheeler,
an experienced agent in this area.
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.
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On average, homes in Donora, PA sell after 102 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Donora, PA over the last 12 months is $60,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Spacious 7-bedroom, 3 full bath home in Donora, cleaned and ready for your vision. Offering generous living space and a flexible layout, this property presents endless possibilities for renovation, redesign, or investment. Ideal for investors or buyers looking to customize and add value, with ample room to create a primary residence, rental opportunity, or multi-use space. Bring your ideas off
Huge home in Donora! High ceilings, tons of natural light, bay windows, stained glass and a beautiful staircase are just a few of the original characteristics of this home. Large foyer open to Living Room. Spacious Dining Rom is open to modern Kitchen, Laundry area just off Kitchen for convenience! Three well sized bedrooms with ample closet space. Updated full bathroom on the second floor also.
Welcome home to 537 Thompson!!! This brick home has so much charm!!! 2 rooms have decorative fireplaces (Kitchen and master bedroom)... It can be a 4 or 5 bedroom... One of the bedrooms can be located on the main floor but that room could also be used for a living/family room as well... Main floor laundry... Huge 12x15 foyer... There are 3 bedrooms and a bathroom on the 2nd floor and another
Welcome to 118 Ida Street in the historic “Cement City” area of Donora! This charming home offers great potential for buyers looking to add their own personal touch. Step into a spacious living room that flows seamlessly into the kitchen, creating a functional and convenient layout for everyday living.The upper level features three comfortable bedrooms and a full bathroom. Downstairs, the
Welcome home to 549 Thopson!!! The first thing you notice is the beautiful covered front porch!!! What a great place to enjoy your morning coffee... The living room has a decorative fireplace... The kitchen cabinets are new... There is a huge dining room... Upstairs you have 3 bedrooms and a full bath... There is a built-in ground storage shed in back of home... Covered back porch... 2 car off
Welcome home to 701 Thompson!!! If you are looking for a BIG place, this is it!!! 5-6 car attached garage... 3-6 bedrooms... 4 bathrooms... 2 car carport... Huge covered Porch... 4 levels of living space... Possibilities are endless...
Welcome to 4 Grant St in Monongahela, a charming 3-bedroom, 1-bath home offering comfortable living with great indoor and outdoor space. This inviting property features a functional layout with spacious bedrooms and a bright kitchen that offers plenty of cabinetry and room for dining. One of the standout features of the home is the large wraparound deck, providing the perfect space for relaxing,
Totally renovated up/down duplex... The main floor unit has 2bedrooms, living room/dining room with hardwood flooring and covered back deck... The main floor has access to basement for storage... The upper level has 3bedrooms and a covered back deck... Both units are rented!!! All separate utilities... There is both on and off-street parking available... Comes with 2 lots...
Looking for a cash flowing 2-bed duplex in Donora at an entry price point? This up and down duplex at 537 6th St offers two 2 bed, 1 bath units, both currently rented, making it a straightforward addition to a rental portfolio in the Ringgold School District. Welcome to 537 6th St in Donora, a 2-bed duplex in Donora designed for investors seeking immediate rental income. This up and down duplex
Come find your next home in this lovingly maintained 2-bedroom oasis sat squarely in historic Cement City! 125 Bertha boasts fantastic utility in its large kitchen, generous room sizes, and the fantastic storage capacity of its full basement. Located just up the hill from all Donora has to offer, this property possesses both the comfort and convenience to be a top choice for the prospective
Spacious 4,356 sq ft multi-unit property featuring 6 beds / 2 baths and a large open main-level commercial/garage space. Ideal for investors or mixed-use conversion. Roof approx. 10 years old and 2 newer electrical boxes already installed. Exterior is solid and well-maintained. Interior needs light to moderate updates, offering strong upside potential. Includes rear access, yard space, and
Welcome to 901 St. Nicholas Drive—a fully renovated 3-bedroom, 2-bath home offering a move-in ready opportunity in the Ringgold School District. This thoughtfully updated home features a traditional layout with a living room, dedicated dining area, an updated kitchen, and fresh finishes throughout. The main level offers two bedrooms and a full bath, while the upper level is designed as a spacious
Property Id: 2565430Spacious 1 Bedroom / 1 Bathroom Apartment available in Washington County located in the Ringgold School District. Conveniently located just 5 minutes from Walmart, grocery stores, restaurants, and shopping. Dollar General and a convenience store are nearby, and bus stops are within walking distance for easy transportation.Apartment features a comfortable layout in
We are pleased to announce a freshly painted apartment available for rent in the quiet town of Donora. This unit is conveniently located near public transportation, shopping, and restaurants. Tenant pays all utilities.For your peace of mind and convenience, the building features 24-hour surveillance and an on-site coin-operated laundry facility.If you are interested, please call
Newly renovated 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom single family home. All new flooring and paint throughout. Front porch leads into the kitchen. Living room with a small balcony on the main level. 2 bedrooms and an updated bathroom with shower on the second level. Basement has a Pittsburgh potty, electric dryer hookup and an old horse stable. This unit does NOT have central air conditioning.All
Newly renovated 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom duplex. All new flooring, bathroom and paint throughout. New kitchen cabinets, countertop and brand new stainless steel appliances. Detached one car garage. All utilities and garbage paid by tenant.-Tenant responsible for lawn maintenance-Security deposit equal to one month's rent-No Pets-$25 application fee per adult for
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