Wrapped by the Monongahela River and characterized by its rolling farmlands and lush forests is the small rural neighborhood of Jefferson Township, just 38 miles from Pittsburgh. This slow-paced riverside area includes the four unincorporated communities of Lowber, Redstone, Albany and Grindstone. At the heart of the community is agriculture. “A lot of people who live in the community are connected to a farm in some way. Either you work on a farm, you know someone who owns a farm, or you worked on one when you were in high school,” says Pierce Willson, the Farm Operator at Redstone Farm in the Jefferson Township. Not only do farms play a part in Lowber’s economy, but they also work to foster community by hosting seasonal markets and events.
Jefferson Township
Homes
Colonial Revival, ranch-style, two-story shotgun, four-square and contemporary homes are popular here, though they rarely hit the market. “Houses stay within the family. People don’t really leave,” Willson says. When they do go up for sale, older two- to three-bedroom fixer-uppers can start at $17,000, while updated three- to four-bedroom homes can start around $160,000. Large custom craftsman-style houses with stone facades are rare, but they can sell for more than $270,000 when they appear on the market.
Schools
Kids may attend schools in the Frazier School District. They can begin their education at Frazier Elementary School, graded a 6/10 on GreatSchools.org. Kids can continue their education at Frazier Middle School and Frazier High School, graded a 5/10 and 4/10 on GreatSchools.org, respectively. Both the middle and high schools boast a 13-to-1 student-teacher ratio.
Parks
While there aren’t any parks in the immediate area, several line the Monongahela River. Five Town Park boasts 49 acres and is located 15 miles away in the Allenport borough, north of Newell. This largely wooded area offers residents access to a shaded pavilion, walking trail and baseball field. Just 7 miles east, near the Youghiogheny River, is Washington Run Park. This 7-acre park offers traditional amenities like a shaded pavilion, playground and lawn space, but it also has several reconstructed historical buildings on its grounds. Among these structures is a recreated grist mill once owned by former U.S. President George Washington, an 1850s beehive bake oven and a 1790s distillery.
Shopping and Dining
Jefferson Township is primarily residential, but that doesn’t mean shopping and dining options are out of reach. Mom-and-pop shops, mostly centered around farming equipment and automotive repair, are scattered throughout town. Across the Monongahela River is California, the home of PennWest California. This college town has diverse dining options, including the New Great Wall Chinese restaurant, Don Patron Mexican Grill and the Roll & Scoop ice cream shop. For other shopping needs, residents often travel to Tri-County Plaza in Westmoreland County, where there is a Giant Eagle Supermarket, Family Farm & Homes and Aldi.
Events
For town events, residents turn to local churches and farms. There are several working farms in the area, including Redstone Farm and Thundering Hill Farm. At Redstone Farm, a working beef cattle and crop operation, residents gather each autumn for their annual fall market. Hundreds of pumpkins, dozens of mums, and handfuls of home décor items are scattered throughout the farmstead and placed up for sale. Thundering Hill Farm, which grows hay and raises poultry, relocated here in 2019 and is initiating its first Christmas event. The celebration, called “Grinchmas 2023,” will include brunch, activities for kids, a photo booth, and local vendors.
Crime
While rural, Jefferson Township is also close to several major roads. Pennsylvania State Route 88 and U.S. Interstate Highway 70 are to the west of town. To the south are Pennsylvania State Route 43 and U.S. Route 40. Pennsylvania State Route 51 flanks the east side of town and leads to Pittsburgh, just 38 miles north. Pittsburgh International Airport is a bit further out, at 64 miles away. Public transit is available in nearby California. Public CAL Commuter buses pick up residents at stops along the Monongahela River and take them to downtown Pittsburgh.
Written By
Kayla Koslosky
Photography Contributed By
Anthony Kelly
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Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Rob Hako
Rob Hako
HOWARD HANNA MID MON VALLEY OFFICE
(878) 218-7438
89 Total Sales
1 in Jefferson Township
$369,900 Price
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Emily Bua
Emily Bua
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY THE PREFERRED REALTY
(878) 877-8038
52 Total Sales
1 in Jefferson Township
$153,000 Price
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Kelli Verosky
Kelli Verosky
RE/MAX SELECT REALTY
(412) 968-8852
158 Total Sales
1 in Jefferson Township
$160,000 Price
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Amanda Gomez
Amanda Gomez
Responds QuicklyRE/MAX SELECT REALTY
(814) 292-9882
364 Total Sales
1 in Jefferson Township
$119,000 Price
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Jessica Tony
Jessica Tony
Responds QuicklyCOLDWELL BANKER LAUREL RIDGE REALTY
(878) 778-7482
214 Total Sales
1 in Jefferson Township
$429,000 Price
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Tonya Dues
TD
Tonya Dues
Responds QuicklyBERKSHIRE HATHAWAY THE PREFERRED REALTY
(904) 664-1638
41 Total Sales
1 in Jefferson Township
$365,000 Price
Schools
Source:
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
Parks in this Area
Weiss Memorial Park
Washington Run Memorial Park
Washington Township Veterans Park
Roadman Park
Brownsville Riverside Wharf Park
Transit
Jefferson Township Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Jefferson Township, Grindstone sell after 73 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Jefferson Township, Grindstone over the last 12 months is $230,000, down 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$199,000
Median Sale Price
$230,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$184,999
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$100,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
7%
Last 12 months Home Sales
13
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-11%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$119
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
592
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Median Year Built
1953
Months of Supply
3.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,553
Below the national average
1,925
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,209
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
26,353
Open Houses
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Sunday, Sep 211 - 4pm
$184,999
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,972 Sq Ft
- 120 E 1st St
Move right into this completely updated large 2 story home. This home has the charm of a farmhouse with all the updates of today. New flooring, furnace, freshly painted neutral colors. Both bathrooms are updated. Pellet Stove included. High ceiling that add to the spaciousness of the rooms. First floor laundry. Flat Fenced in back yard. Frazier school district.
Lisa Reed HOWARD HANNA MID MON VALLEY OFFICE
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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-
$35,000
- 3 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 1,288 Sq Ft
- 102 E 2nd St
- New 9 days ago
Welcome to this charming two-story home with a covered front porch and a well-designed layout. Offering 3 bedrooms and 1 full bathroom with a bathtub, this property provides comfort and functionality. The inviting front porch sets the tone, while the basement adds valuable storage space. Inside, simple wooden cabinetry enhances the kitchen’s appeal, and large windows throughout fill the home with
Michael Pohlot JANUS REALTY ADVISORS
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$100,000
- 107 Madison St
Investor Alert! Welcome to 107 Madison Street, Grindstone – a fantastic triplex opportunity in Frazier School District. This 3-unit property features two currently rented units, offering immediate rental income for savvy investors or those looking to live in one and rent the others! Each unit offers spacious layouts & separate entrances. The building includes off-street parking and a 1 car
Gina Liptak RE/MAX SELECT REALTY
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,847
Median Age
48
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
20.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$64,143
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$80,910
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.9%
College Graduates
20.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.7%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
60%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
6''
Area Factors
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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