Franklin Township's peaceful setting draws commuters
In the heart of one of the most rural counties in the Pittsburgh region, Franklin Township is a small community surrounding the borough of Waynesburg . “It’s a very peaceful area and a quiet community,” says Jim Clark, an associate broker at Howard Hanna, with nearly a decade of experience. “I think Waynesburg University is one of the largest employers. That’s what drives people there. It’s close to Morgantown, the home of West Virginia University, so that’s a large employer as well.” Situated on Interstate 79, Franklin Township is within commuting distance of both Morgantown and Pittsburgh, making it a destination for buyers who enjoy a slower pace of life at the end of the workday.
Spacious countryside properties with older homes
Winding country roads lead across rolling hills throughout the township, with fields, farms and forests on either side of the streets. Vintage houses make up much of the community "They're mostly older homes. There are no new developments. There are two developments that are about 25 years old each," says Heather Gilbert, an associate broker at Century 21 Frontier Realty with over 25 years of experience. These vintage homes include Victorians, farmhouses and National-style houses. Midcentury ranch-style houses are also common. Properties are spacious, often a half-acre or more. Housing prices typically range from $80,000 to $390,000. The community’s CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10 is lower than the national average of 4.
Indoor and outdoor recreation for all ages
Several parks throughout the township offer a variety of recreation. Crawford Park on Porter Street has a field that can be used for baseball and football. It also has a basketball court and a small playground. Residents can play tennis and pickleball at the courts on Rolling Meadows Road, next to the county’s veterans memorial. The EQT REC Center is a large indoor facility with a fitness center, basketball court and indoor soccer field. It hosts adult and youth programming, including sports leagues and workout classes. Hot summer days are spent at Greene County Water Park, which has a lap pool, lazy river and water slides.
Groceries and essentials are minutes away in Waynesburg
Despite the small-town, rural setting, Franklin Township has essentials close to home. A Walmart is located on Murtha Drive near Waynesburg, and groceries are available at Giant Eagle or Aldi. Other stores in the area include Dollar General and Tractor Supply Co. Don Patron serves reasonably priced Mexican food in downtown Waynesburg, while Scotty’s Pizza is known for its specialty strombolis and calzones. In addition to locally owned spots, chains like McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Bob Evans are all located along Roy Furman Highway.
Public schools offer AP, dual enrollment and tech courses
Students might attend Waynesburg Central Elementary School, which gets a C from Niche. Waynesburg Central Junior High School shares a building with the high school and is unrated. Waynesburg Central High School earns a C-plus. The school offers nine Advanced Placement courses, and 12th grade students can take dual enrollment classes through local colleges, either on campus or online. High schoolers can also study career and technical courses, including automotive technology, computer information technology and welding.
Greene County Fairgrounds is a hub for local gatherings
Community events take place at the Greene County Fairgrounds, just outside of Waynesburg. The county fair is held each August and features livestock shows, a rodeo and carnival rides throughout the week. Vendors set up a flea market at the fairgrounds on Tuesdays and Saturdays, selling various items.
Major highways connect Franklin Township to nearby cities
Interstate 79 is the main highway through Franklin Township, offering a 26-mile drive south to Morgantown and a 53-mile drive north to Pittsburgh. U.S. Route 19 and Pennsylvania routes 18 and 21 also pass through the community. The closest hospital and airport are each in Morgantown.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
