Irwin offers easy commutes, character and strong schools
Known as the Biggest Little Town in Pennsylvania, Irwin is a Pittsburgh suburb that blends big-city amenities and small-town charm. “There’s convenient access to shopping. They have the basic Target and Walmart sort of stuff, but on Main Street, they have older, traditional mom-and-pop sort of stores,” says Cory Fast, a broker at Foundations Real Estate Agency with nearly a decade of experience. “It has a combination of modern things that people want, but still a hometown feel on Main Street.” The small borough of about 3,800 is located near U.S. Route 30 and Interstate 76, offering convenient commutes around Greater Pittsburgh. In addition to its small-town feel, homebuyers also benefit from highly rated schools and a diverse mix of housing.
Mix of postwar homes and newer builds across the borough
Irwin has a broad mix of vintage homes and newer builds. “You have some starter homes and a lot of that stock is from the late 1940s through the 1950s,” Fast says. “Those would be a lot of brick ranches and two-story, postwar builds. A lot of that inventory is getting turned over with updates and upgrades.” These established homes include American Foursquares and cottages with large front porches. They sit close together on streets lined with sidewalks. South of Route 30, buyers can find homes from the 1990s to the 2020s. These are typically traditional brick houses with attached garages. The neighborhoods are suburban, with green lawns and leafy trees alongside the streets. The median sales price is around $280,000, lower than in North Huntingdon but higher than in the nearby borough of Manor .
Walkable downtown offers locally owned businesses
Downtown Irwin is the heart of the community, with an array of locally owned shops and restaurants. Residents can grab breakfast at coffee shops and juice bars or lunch at local burger joints and pizzerias. Colonial Grille Restaurant and Taproom serves standard American fare like sandwiches and burgers alongside a menu of locally brewed beers. Stores in the area include gift shops, a music store and a flea market. Big-box stores like Target, Walmart and Kohl’s offer more shopping along Route 30. There's a Giant Eagle grocery store in the same area.
Historic theater and street events add excitement to the town
Events downtown bring locals together throughout the year. The Lamp Theatre is a historic venue that opened in 1937 and served the community for decades before closing in 2004. Residents and nonprofit organizations worked together in the 2010s and reopened the theater in 2016. Today, it’s back to a variety of programming, including concerts and movies. Other events include Gig on Main, a free concert on Main Street. The Irwin Street Market is held multiple times throughout the year, bringing vendors, live music and food trucks downtown.
A variety of park activities in and around Irwin
Multiple parks throughout the community offer recreation close to home. Irwin Park has a baseball field, playground and basketball courts. It also has an amphitheater that hosts a free summer concert series on Sunday nights. Penglyn Field is another sports facility with two baseball fields, a basketball court, and tennis courts. It's also within walking distance of several local and chain restaurants. Nature trails and disc golf are the main attractions at Oak Hollow Park, about 3 miles north of town. The park has a 1.5-acre fishing pond as well.
Public schools earn solid ratings and offer college credit options
Sheridan Terrace Elementary School, Hillcrest Intermediate School and Norwin Middle School all receive A-minus ratings from Niche, while Norwin High School earns a B-plus. Students can participate in the College in High School program, allowing them to take college courses through Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Pittsburgh and Westmoreland Community College. The school also offers clubs and activities like Air Force JROTC, International Thespian Society and National Honor Society in Psychology.
Buses and highways offer easy access to nearby cities
Route 30 is the main highway through Irwin, leading about 21 miles west to Pittsburgh or 9 miles east to Greensburg . Interstate 76, also known as the Pennsylvania Turnpike, is nearby and provides an east-west highway across the state. Westmoreland Transit operates two bus routes in the area, offering service to Greensburg and Pittsburgh. AHN Hempfield Neighborhood Hospital is about 6 miles away on Route 30.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
Photography Contributed By
Patrick Graham
