At the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers, McKeesport has a rich industrial history dating back to the late 19th century. National Tube Works opened its doors in 1872 along the shores of the Monongahela River, eventually becoming a subsidiary of the United States Steel Corporation in 1901. This resulted in record-breaking growth in the first half of the 20th century as McKeesport became the fastest-growing municipality in the country and produced more steel pipes than any other city in the world. Its population peaked at around 55,355 in 1940, but the city underwent rapid deindustrialization and depopulation in the 1970s and ‘80s as the steel industry declined. McKeesport also faced hardship in 1976 when a fire started in the Famous Department Store, spreading through downtown and causing over $5 million in damage. While some businesses never reopened their doors after the Famous Fire, others continue to serve the resilient community today as McKeesport looks to a future like many other Rust Belt cities before.
Today, the place where steel mills once stood tall along the shores of the Monongahela River is occupied by the 133-acre Industrial Center of McKeesport. The business park features eight companies that employ more than 200 people, with plans to keep expanding. The city is also home to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, which employs over 100,000 people across its award-winning hospitals and outpatient centers, making it the largest employer in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area. Despite attempts to revitalize McKeesport’s industrial centers, the city’s population continues to decrease by just over 1% each year, with its population estimated to be just over 17,100 as of 2023. This trend is consistent across the Mon Valley, which refers to a group of Rust Belt municipalities that border the Monongahela River and are working to rebuild after deindustrialization. “The Mon Valley is going to come back,” says Chris Ivory, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty with more than 35 years of experience in the industry.
McKeesport is situated at the convergence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers.
National Tube is a huge part of the history of McKeesport.
UPMC McKeesport is a pillar of the McKeesport area.
McKeesport Hospital sits downtown and serves many people in the McKeesport area.
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Home prices are less than half of the national median
Most homes in McKeesport were built from the turn of the 20th century through the mid-1900s to accommodate its growing population. While the city features a variety of architectural styles, two-story cottages and American Foursquares are the norm. Split-level and ranch-style homes are more common in the city's southern half and typically sit further apart on quarter-acre lots. With the median price of single-family homes hovering at just over $100,000, McKeesport tends to be more affordable than the rest of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area. “Homes are priced fairly similar to areas around it, but it’s more affordable than Pittsburgh, which makes it a popular option for city commuters,” Ivory says. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median sales price for single-family homes in the Pittsburgh Metro Area was just under $240,000 in the third quarter of 2024, meaning that home prices in McKeesport are about 82% lower than they are across the rest of the metro area. Home prices are also less than half of the national median, which sits at just below $419,000 as of the third quarter of 2024.
Classic American Foursquare homes a found all around and line the streets of McKeesport.
Cottage style homes can be found throughout the McKeesport area.
McKeesport Foursquare homes often feature front yards and a small driveway.
This Colonial Style home in McKeesport features columns on the front porch.
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McKeesport Area School District and nearby private schools
The McKeesport Area School District earns an overall grade of C-plus from Niche and has a student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1. The district consists of two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school, all of which receive a C or C-plus from Niche. Private school options include B-rated Serra Catholic High School, which has been serving the community since 1961.
The 52-acre Penn State Greater Allegheny campus is located between McKeesport and White Oak Borough. As a commonwealth campus of Pennsylvania State University, it offers various associate and baccalaureate degree programs. The college has a total enrollment of just under 400, and Penn State’s 2+2 program allows students to begin their studies at PSUGA before transferring to another campus to finish their degree.
McKeesport Area High School helps prepare students for their future.
Once a Tiger always a Tiger at Founder's Hall Middle School in McKeesport.
Twin Rivers Elementary School is the beginning of your Tiger adventure in McKeesport.
Serra Catholic High School is the best kept secret in McKeesport.
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Renziehausen Park, McKees Point Marina and riverfront trails
With small playgrounds and neighborhood parks scattered throughout McKeesport, Renziehausen Park stands out as the city’s largest green space. Locally known as Renzie, the park covers 205 acres and has various sports courts, ballfields and a playground. It also features amenities like the Renzie Spray Ground, the Renzie Park Senior Center and Lake Emilie, a popular fishing spot for bass, trout and catfish. The Garden Club of McKeesport manages the Renziehausen Park Rose Garden and Arboretum, which includes an herb garden, butterfly garden and more than 1,800 roses, making it the second-largest rose garden in the state. The park also hosts the annual McKeesport’s Summer Concert Series, which features weekly performances at the Lions Bandshell.
Waterfront attractions include McKees Point Marina, which sits along the shores of the Youghiogheny River and offers over 200 boat slips, a fishing pier and a small café known for its all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. Smaller trails like McKee’s Point Trail run parallel to the waterfront and connect with the Greater Allegheny Passage, a 150-mile rail trail between Pittsburgh and Cumberland, Maryland. The section of the GAP in McKeesport, known as the Steel Valley Trail, travels past the former National Tube Works plant before crossing over the Monongahela River. Residents also have access to the Carnegie Library of McKeesport and the Eden Park Roller Rink. Houses of Worships include First United Methodist Church, which has been serving the community for over a century and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an example of Late Gothic Revival architecture.
Enjoy Lake Emily in Renziehausen Park, known as “Renzie” to McKeesport residents.
Enjoy time outside at Versailles Coursin Parklet in McKeesport.
The Great Allegheny Passage joins with McKees Point Trail for great biking in McKeesport.
The First United Methodist Church in McKeesport is a Historic Landmark.
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Events include a cultural festival and tree-decorating competition
The city hosts various events throughout the year that bring the community together. Popular festivities include International Village, an annual cultural heritage festival that celebrates the city’s diverse community with food, music and dance from around the world. The event takes place each August and brings more than 20,000 people to Renziehausen Park over three days. In December, the Festival of Trees celebrates the start of the holiday season with a tree-decorating competition that highlights the creativity of local businesses, schools and community groups. The annual Salute to Santa parade also spreads holiday cheer throughout McKeesport, while the Renzie Rib Fest closes out the McKeesport’s Summer Concert Series with barbeque, live music and a car cruise in the park. Good Neighbor Day celebrates downtown McKeesport with a street festival along 5th Avenue, with local vendors, food trucks and community groups lining the thoroughfare.
The McKeesport International Village is an ethnic heritage festival with food, music and dance.
The big guy himself is at the end of the Salute To Santa Parade in McKeesport.
The McKeesport International Village was founded in 1960 and is a three day celebration.
Meet up with old friends at the Festival Of Trees at Renziehausen Park in McKeesport.
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Downtown McKeesport, local restaurants and theater group
Before the Famous Fire of 1976, 5th Avenue was a vibrant commercial corridor known as downtown McKeesport. While many of its storefronts are now vacant, local businesses like Minerva Bakery and the McKeesport Beer Barrel continue to serve the community. There are more shops and restaurants along Pennsylvania Route 148, also known as Walnut Street. Rite Aid, Dollar General and Aldi offer essentials. The wood-paneled bar at Hoot’s Again is a go-to spot for drinks and pub grub, while Tillie’s Restaurant is known for its homemade Italian food. For dessert, Christy Park Cones has a walk-up ice cream window.
The arts scene in McKeesport revolves around local groups like the McKeesport Little Theater, which attracts over 5,000 people each year with its plays and musicals. The nonprofit group also offers educational programming for middle and high schoolers through the McKeesport Little Theater Juniors program from September through June. In Renzie Park, the McKeesport Regional History and Heritage Center documents the history of the Mon Valley with seven rooms of historic artifacts and memorabilia. Visitors can learn more about the region through the museum's living history tours and lectures.
The staff at Tillie's Restaurant work on classic Italian entrees in McKeesport.
The McKeesport Little Theater is in the heart of the McKeesport Cultural District.
Head to Hoot's Again on Walnut Street in McKeesport for great food and atmosphere.
Learn about the history of the region at the McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center.
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Mobility plan, Pittsburgh commutes and PRT bus service
Some of McKeesport’s residential streets lack sidewalks, and the city earns an overall Walk Score of 41 out of 100. The Walk Bike Ride McKeesport Mobility Plan, unveiled in April 2024, aims to improve pedestrian infrastructure along busy corridors like Lysle Boulevard, Jenny Lind Street and Versailles Avenue. As of late 2024, work on the project had not yet begun, although the plan proposes pedestrian and cyclist safety as a priority over the next several years.
The main thoroughfares in McKeesport are Pennsylvania routes 148 and 48, both of which give residents access to U.S. Route 30. Pittsburgh is about a 15-mile drive across the Monongahela River, while Pittsburgh International Airport is around 30 miles from McKeesport. Pittsburgh Regional Transit provides local bus service throughout McKeesport, and the McKeesport Transportation Center has a park-and-ride lot.
Four-season climate, flood risk and high crime rates
Residents should expect to see all four seasons, with summer temperatures climbing into the 80s and winter temperatures dropping into the low 20s. The city sees an average of around 38 inches of rain each year, with the wettest months being May, June and July. Due to its proximity to the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers, low-lying areas in McKeesport have been historically susceptible to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. In the 1980s, the city collaborated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete a flood protection project that has prevented major floods in the area, although homes near the water remain at risk of smaller-scale flood events.
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, crime rates are above average in McKeesport. The city’s violent crime rate is about 19% higher than the national rate, while the property-related crime rate is 37% higher. A 2019 study from the National Council for Home Safety and Security ranks McKeesport as the fourth-most dangerous city in the United States.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
Photography Contributed By
Alan Battles
Video By
GL Moses
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Scott Ludwick,
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 McKeesport, PA sell after 90 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in McKeesport, PA over the last 12 months is $115,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 1008 Washington Street. This 3 bedroom, 1 bath brick 2 story sits only 2 blocks away from Founders Hall and Mckeesport Senior High School. This house features a large livingroom with decorative fireplace and a formal dining room. The kitchen has an extended breakfast nook that could be a quaint office space or a perfect spot to do daily homework. The large basement could make a great
Beautifully updated and move-in ready 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in the Mt Vernon Plan in Elizabeth Township! The thoughtfully designed floor plan offers spacious living throughout, including a large living room and an inviting den featuring a gas fireplace. The updated kitchen is sure to impress with newer appliances, a gas stove, a convenient pot filler, and abundant cabinet and counter space.
Thoughtfully designed with a focus on light, flow, and livability, this Elizabeth end unit condo features 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths in a setting that feels both polished and practical. The open floor plan creates an easy, connected flow for everyday living and is centered around a bright white, fully equipped kitchen with ample cabinetry and plenty of workspace. The spacious living room offers
Lori MaffeoBERKSHIRE HATHAWAY THE PREFERRED REALTY
From the moment you walk up to this classic brick home with its covered front porch, there’s a sense of simplicity and comfort that just feels right. Step inside and you’ll immediately notice how light and open the space feels. The main level has been completely updated with LVP flooring throughout, creating a clean, seamless look that carries you from room to room. Large windows bring in an
Welcome to a beautifully updated brick Cape Cod that blends classic charm with modern finishes, creating a home that feels both warm and move-in ready from the moment you arrive. As you approach, the covered front porch sets the tone inviting you to slow down, relax, and enjoy a quiet moment before stepping inside. The entry welcomes you into a thoughtfully refreshed interior where luxury vinyl
This is a perfect home for anyone looking to buy this summer, or any investor looking to had a great single family home to their portfolio. This home has 3 bds 1 bath. Plenty of living space, with modern updates throughout. Enjoy the summer on your large covered front porch. Please schedule a showing today.
Welcome home to this beautifully updated McKeesport gem that's ready for its next owner! This move-in-ready single-family home offers a spacious layout with generously sized rooms, newer flooring, and tastefully updated full and partial bathrooms. Stay comfortable year-round with central air, while the kitchen features brand-new appliances that make settling in a breeze. Step outside to a large
Welcome to 2812 Jenny Lind St. This is a very spacious home featuring 6 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. This is perfect for anyone wanting to own their own home, or any investor looking to add an additional single family home to their portfolio. This home is move it/rent ready. Enjoy the summer months relaxing on your large covered front deck or spending the day in the back yard. In side you find a
Welcome to 1813 Converse St – a charming and well-maintained 3-bedroom, 1-bath home in McKeesport. This inviting property features spacious living areas, a welcoming front porch perfect for relaxing, and a backyard space ideal for outdoor enjoyment or entertaining. The basement offers additional storage or workspace options, making it a great fit for a variety of lifestyles. Conveniently located
Welcome to 2402 Grandview Ave. This will make a perfect future home for anyone looking to buy this summer, or a great addition to any investors portfolio for future cash flow. This is a great three-bedroom, one-bath home that has been beautifully updated with new flooring and fresh paint throughout. It offers a spacious living room, an updated eat-in kitchen, and a newly renovated full bathroom.
There’s something about a home that just feels right the moment you step onto the covered front porch... and this one delivers exactly that. Inside, the work has already been done so you can simply move in and start living. The main level has been completely refreshed with durable LVP flooring that flows seamlessly throughout, creating a clean, cohesive space. A large living room welcomes you in
Step into this one-of-a-kind home filled with charm and character, designed for comfort and style you won’t find anywhereelse! The heart of the home showcases a stunning wood-beamed ceiling in the kitchen and dining area, creating a warm,inviting space for everyday living. The large living room is filled with natural light and opens to a huge, enclosed porch — theperfect place to
Welcome Home to 922 Highland Ave, located in the serene neighborhood of Port Vue with well cared for homes surrounding it. This home offers a cute little reading nook at the entry, it's been freshly painted, has lots of windows, hardwood floors and plush wall to wall carpet in the bedrooms, a decorative fireplace in the living room, built-ins in the dining area, an archway and brick wall gives
Angel WintersBERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES THE PREFERRED PROP
Welcome to 2511 Mercantile Street, a beautifully renovated home that blends classic charm with modern updates.From the moment you step inside, you’ll notice the light-filled spaces, neutral designer finishes, and thoughtful touches throughout. The bright living room flows effortlessly into the updated kitchen featuring white cabinetry, modern countertops, stainless appliances, and clean,
Don’t miss your chance to own a spacious duplex in McKeesport! This inviting home features 4 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, making it ideal for families or anyone in need of extra space. With an open floor plan spanning approximately 2,352 square feet, this residence is expertly designed for both comfort and functionality. Schedule your showing today and explore the incredible possibilities that
This second floor duplex is available immediately and ready for you to call home. Rent requirements are income that is 3x the amount of rent and tenants must be able to pass a background and credit check. Required first month's rent and security deposit due at lease signing. Tenants are responsible for all utilities, lawn care, and snow removal.
Welcome to Center Grove Apartments. We have 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom spacious floorplans available. This beautiful community is nestled in a wooded setting with playgrounds, private balconies, or patios, laundry facilities in each building, and additional storage rooms. In addition, Center Grove offers superior on-site maintenance for our residents. Enjoy great apartment living with spacious
White Oak Village is located in a beautiful nature-like setting offering 1- & 2-bedroom apartments and 2-bedroom townhomes. Our apartments have spacious floorplans and ample closets. The garden-style apartments come with private balconies and patios. White Oak Village is close to shopping and restaurants. The community has an indoor pool which can be enjoyed all year round. Call us today to
A community room, playground, beautiful community room and swimming pool add to the joy of living at Mt. Vernon Apartments. You will also have all your maintenance taken care of by our dedicated staff. Mt. Vernon offers spacious 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments with private balconies or patios with large floor plans. Enjoy a summer dip at the pool or relax in our beautiful clubhouse. Enjoy living in
Open house October 10th from 4-7.Spacious two bedroom apartment in Elizebeth Forward school district. The kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher, range and refrigerator. Unit offers plenty of closet space, fresh paint and bay window. All units have a private balcony or patio and central air. Laundry facility on site. Water, sewage, and trash included in rent! Only minutes
Property Id: 847694Located in McKeesport/White Oak, this 2 bedroom apartment is available for rent at $1050 per month. This price requires renter paying electric only.The rental agreement includes a comprehensive package of utilities, including: • Gas • Heating • Water • Sewage • TrashResidents will also enjoy access to on-site laundry facilities
Property Id: 10504521-Bedroom unit in McKeesport - Perfect for You!Looking for a comfortable, budget-friendly living space.This charming 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom unit at 1101 Evans Ave, McKeesport, PA is exactly what you need. The building has a washer and dryer for residents (paid use).Water and sewer included - just pay for your electric!Affordable at just
Explore this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 1-bath home on Collins St.We are pet-friendly! Your dogs and cats are welcome at 2413 Collins Street.With recent updates, this property offers an inviting, up-to-date living space. Key features include a refrigerator, and washer/dryer connections. The kitchen is fully equipped with sits on a private lot Stove and Oven,, and sleek
Check out this newly upgraded 3-bedroom, 1-bath home on Versailles Ave.We are pet-friendly! Your dogs and cats are welcome at 2712 Versailles Avenue.Step into a refreshed interior with a contemporary vibe. This home comes equipped with modern essentials: sits on a private lot Stove, Oven, and refrigerator. Granite and quartz countertops grace the modernized kitchen, which also
Property Id: 2583461Located in McKeesport/White Oak, this 2 bedroom apartment is available for rent at $1025 per month. This price requires renter paying electric only.The rental agreement includes a comprehensive package of utilities, including: • Gas • Heating • Water • Sewage • TrashResidents will also enjoy access to on-site laundry
Step into this newly-remodeled and refreshed 3-bedroom, 1-bath home on Meadow St.We are pet-friendly! Your dogs and cats are welcome at 1403 Meadow Street.A contemporary feel awaits in this recently refreshed home. Modern amenities feature a gas stove and oven, and a refrigerator. The upgraded kitchen includes desirable granite/quartz countertops and washer/dryer hookups. Stylish
Just 15 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, Versailles hugs a bend of the Youghiogheny River with century-old homes, peace and quiet. This borough is the epitome of small-town living, but it’s also within arm’s reach of the Pittsburgh area and all its attractions.
Lining the hilly streets of Versailles are historic century-old houses, some built as early as 1900. These properties display classic styles, including Colonial Revivals, American Foursquares and Folk Victorian Revivals. Quaint ranch-style homes, bungalows and split-level residences began cropping up throughout the 1950s, bringing midcentury charm to the community. Similar to many other riverside boroughs and townships in Mon Valley, lot sizes here are smaller — typically around or less than a tenth of an acre — so it’s not difficult to get to know one’s neighbors. List prices range between $48,000 and $130,000. The median single-family home price, $107,000, could afford a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house.
Versailles is served by the McKeesport Area School District, so resident students can start school about 3 miles from home at Twin Rivers Elementary School, rated C on Niche. From there, they can attend Founders’ Hall Middle, also rated C on Niche, before graduating from McKeesport Area High, rated B-minus on Niche. This high school features vocational education curricula alongside its academic curriculum. These vocational/technical programs include cosmetology, culinary arts, auto mechanics and building construction.
There are no parks in Versailles proper, but access to recreational amenities and the great outdoors isn’t far at all. Less than a mile outside the neighborhood, just across the bridge, Boston Memorial Ballfield is a good spot for practicing pitches. Tucked behind the park, residents can park and access the Great Allegheny Passage, a 150-mile trail that runs from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland. Pet-, bike- and hike-friendly, this trail is ideal for getting active. It’s also an entry point to the scenic forests of the Dead Man’s Hollow Conservation Area, which spans 450 acres with 8 miles of its own trails. More than 100 species of birds live in the trees of this verdant green space, making it a favorite for local birding communities.
Typically, life in a small borough would mean folks have to venture to another area for day-to-day shopping, but this isn’t the case in Versailles. The borough’s shopping plaza sits at the intersection of Walnut Street and Long Run Road with an Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, Dollar Tree and other convenient stores. Several doctor’s offices are also located around this shopping strip. Farther up Walnut Street are more options for retail as well as tried-and-true eateries. Tillie’s Restaurant is a popular family-owned Italian spot with a menu of rich cuisine and a warm atmosphere that draws in customers throughout Mon Valley. Mellon’s Pub is a more low-key joint, home to cold pints and hearty portions. Residents can come here to play pool and enjoy a cold one.
UPMC McKeesport is Versailles’ nearest hospital, just between a 3- and 4-mile drive from the heart of the borough in McKeesport. North-south thoroughfare, Walnut Street, is one of the main modes of getting in and out of Versailles; it runs north to McKeesport and south to the Boston Bridge. Long Run Road is another main thoroughfare in Versailles; it intersects Walnut Street on the west side and turns into Jacks Run Road, providing a direct route to U.S. Highway 30. While Versailles is largely car-dependent, PRT bus stops can be found on Walnut Street.
Property Mix - Square Feet
McKeesport Has More Renters
Rental Home Trends
Number of Homes for Rent
28
Median Rent
$1,050
Median Single Family Home Rent
$1,200
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$1,400
Median Townhouse Rent
$1,050
Median 2 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$1,050
Median Condo Rent
$1,000
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,038
Demographics
Total Population
20,427
Median Age
42
Population under 18
24.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$32,276
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$49,651
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88.6%
College Graduates
14.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.4%
% Population in Labor Force
56.3%
Below the national average
64.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
6''
Area Factors
Fairly bikeable
Bikeability®
40/ 100
Moderately walkable
Walkability®
60/ 100
Limited public transit
Transit®
20/ 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
