$172,080Average Value$103Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
Ford City is a former industrial town with a small-town feel
Along the Allegheny River, Ford City is a small borough balancing revitalization with the preservation of its long industrial history. It began as a company town named after Captain John Baptiste Ford, a prominent industrialist who recruited glassworkers from around the world to live there after founding the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company in the late 19th century. The PPG Ford City Works closed in 1992, leaving Ford City to reinvent itself like many Rust Belt communities before. Today, the borough is home to less than 3,000 people. “Ford City definitely has a small-town feel, but it’s got easy access to Route 28 and Pittsburgh,” says Jennie Spohn-Rousseau, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty. The borough is about 40 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, and manufacturing companies like BelleFlex Technologies and PullFlex Technologies are bringing jobs back to its riverfront.
Ford City sits along the Allegheny River.
Ford City's downtown has a handful of businesses for locals to browse and shop at.
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Traditional homes with comparative affordability in Armstrong County
Most homes were built from the late 1800s through the mid-1900s to accommodate the borough’s growing workforce. Gablefront cottages with covered front porches are the norm, although there is the occasional American Foursquare, ranch-style or Victorian-style home. The borough also has some streets with traditional rowhomes. Prices typically range from $30,000 for properties needing repairs to $150,000 for those with recent updates. “That affordability is a big draw to the area,” Spohn-Rousseau says. While renovated homes are bringing new life to Ford City, it’s historically struggled with high vacancy rates. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the vacancy rate was just over 15% in 2020.
In Ford City, a Victorian house is a popular style for residents to live in.
Ford City is a safe and walkable neighborhood.
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Ford City offers access to Butler, Pittsburgh and Kittanning
While the borough embraces a slower pace of life, it’s near major highways and cities. U.S. Route 422 offers a direct route to Butler, about 26 miles away, while Pennsylvania Route 28 connects residents with Pittsburgh, about 40 miles southwest. Town & County Transit offers bus service between Ford City and the county seat of Kittanning, with more frequent stops on weekdays and limited service on Saturdays. For flights, Pittsburgh International Airport is about 60 miles away. The closest hospital is Armstrong County Memorial Hospital, 6 miles from Ford City.
Community parks, Armstrong Trails and access to the Allegheny River
Malec Park, also known as 7th Avenue Playground, is Ford City’s largest green space. It features picnic pavilions, a playground and a basketball court. In the spring of 2025, the borough began gathering public input before applying for grant funding to upgrade the park’s amenities in the future. Near downtown, Ford City Memorial Park has shaded walking paths, picnic benches and a gazebo for passive recreation. The Ford City Public Library offers educational and recreational programs for all ages, including craft groups for adults and after-school tutoring sessions for kids.
The riverfront is another popular spot for outdoor recreation. Walkers, runners and bikers frequent the Armstrong Trails system, a nearly 53-mile route that passes through Ford City alongside the Allegheny River. Those looking to get on the water can head 2 miles south to the Rosston Boat Launch or Rosston Eddy Marina. Ford City is also less than 5 miles from State Game Lands 247, a hunting destination where pheasant and white-tailed deer are common game.
Enjoy the many trees around the Christmas season at Ford City Memorial Park.
Play a pickup game of basketball at 7th Avenue Playground.
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The Armstrong School District has a dual enrollment program
The borough is part of the Armstrong School District, which earns a C-plus rating from Niche. Students can attend Lenape Elementary School and Armstrong Junior-Senior High School, both of which also earn a C-plus. Armstrong Junior-Senior High School offers dual enrollment opportunities through its College Within the High School program, which partners with local colleges and universities to provide students access to college-level courses. Private school options in Ford City include the Divine Redeemer Catholic School, serving prekindergarten through sixth grade.
Armstrong Junior/Senior High School has great sports programs and a stunning campus.
Lenape Elementary School is the perfect place for molding young minds.
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A quaint downtown and nearby shopping centers in Kittanning
Downtown surrounds 5th Avenue and features a handful of local businesses. While the area does have some empty storefronts, the downtown vicinity is home to flower shops, hair salons and jewelry stores. Standouts include Rae of Color Salon and Chambers Jewelers, known for its custom-made pieces. Residents can grab the essentials at Dollar General, Rite Aid and Hankey’s Riverside, a family-owned grocery store less than a mile from the borough.
The local dining scene revolves around popular institutions like The Pizzaria, which proudly declares itself as the oldest pizza shop in Armstrong County. Fresh pastries fill the display case at Ford City National Bakery, and Harper’s Grill takes inspiration from the borough’s history, with industrial décor and an Americana menu of burgers, hot dogs and more.
For more shopping and dining, residents typically head 4 miles north to Kittanning. “The closest shopping complex would be in Kittanning, and there are a couple of grocery stores there,” Spohn-Rousseau says. The Hilltop Plaza has Walmart, Aldi and fast-food chains such as Wendy’s.
Ford City residents walk to local restaurants, like Ford City National Bakery, and Harper’s Grill for their delicious food.
Locals in Ford City can go shopping at Chambers Jewelers, for their custom-made pieces.
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The Ford City Farmers Market is one of the borough’s seasonal events
Ford City hosts community events throughout the year. Seasonal festivities include the annual Fantasy of Lights & Trees Community Celebration, which transforms the borough into a winter wonderland complete with twinkling lights, fireworks and horse-drawn carriage rides. From June through October, residents can peruse offerings from area vendors at the Ford City Farmers Market. It highlights local farmers, food vendors and artisans with various handcrafted goods.
There are horses for you and your family to ride at the Fantasy of Lights and Trees.
Don't forget to pick up fresh flowers at Ford City Farmer's Market.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
John Marzullo,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Ford City, PA sell after 75 days on the market compared to the national average of 51 days. The median sale price for homes in Ford City, PA over the last 12 months is $136,200, down 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Kevin EklundBERKSHIRE HATHAWAY THE PREFERRED REALTY
Supersized 2690 SQFT 5 bedroom home! Nice large rooms, formal dining room. 2 bedrooms, full bath and a laundry room on the first floor. and 3 bedrooms and full bath on the second floor! Covered side porch and a screened in 20x15 back porch overlooks the small stream and back yard. Nice large 24x19 2 car detached garage. Great location near lenape elemtary school.
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