Monaca

Go 25 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, and you'll find the borough of Monaca tucked into a bend of the Ohio River.

This riverfront community was initially incorporated in 1840 as Phillipsburg, but in 1892, its name was changed to Monaca in honor of Monacatootha, a Native American representative of the Iroquois Confederacy and a strong ally to the English during the French and Indian War. With its ideal location at the crux of the Ohio and Beaver Rivers, it's no wonder Monaca quickly became an industrial town. "We just had a cracker plant built here," says T.J. Bable, a local Realtor with EXP Realty who grew up across the river from Monaca in New Brighton. "It provided a lot of income for a lot of families all across Beaver County. It's one of only three cracker plants in the U.S.." Pennsylvania Shell's ethylene cracker plant sits a little more than 5 miles down the way from Monaca, making it an easy 15-minute drive for residents. Another major employer is Stoelzle Glass USA, which recently acquired a factory on the borough's north side.

All this industry may paint a cold picture of Monaca, but that's far from what life in this small town is like. In fact, Beaver County is full of townships and boroughs similar to Monaca that boast strong community ties and know-your-neighbor atmospheres. "Growing up around here, you're just outside all the time," Bable says. "You see dozens of kids on the ball fields, playing football and biking around in the summertime. And in the fall, you walk to and from school with friends. And since all the houses are so close together, trick-or-treating is a blast. Kids get as much candy as they can." Local watering holes like Chick's Dutch Bar, local eateries like Nichol's Market and local one-stop shops like Monaca Market pepper primarily residential streets, making regulars out of nearly every resident. What this borough has over others is immediate access to commercial corridor Brodhead Road, which is lined by convenient retailers, including Walmart, Lowe's, Kohl's and Ross, and chain eateries. Beaver Valley Mall offers even more options, only a little farther down the road. For a Beaver County borough, residents of Monaca are spoiled for choice when it comes to shopping and dining, thanks to its proximity to the county seat, Beaver. Beaver County Transit Authority's bus route also connects Monaca to this hub, so residents here don't necessarily need a car, which is a rarity this far from the big city.

Most of the homes in Monaca were originally built in the first half of the 20th century, but you'll come across some midcentury and late 1900s charmers as well. There are even some new construction properties popping up around the area. Architecturally, the Minimal Traditional style dominates the many builds you'll find in this neighborhood, including American Foursquares, ranch-style homes and split-level houses. Eclectic colonials are popular as well. The average lot size in Monaca is approximately 6,098 square feet, so folks have plenty of room to enjoy their own piece of beautiful Pennsylvania greenery, including mature oak, maple and pine trees. You can expect to pay between $50,000 and $369,000 for a home here.

Every school Monaca students can attend boasts a B rating on Niche or higher. Students start school at Center Grange Primary before going to Todd Lane Elementary, then Central Valley Middle School before finally graduating from Central Valley High, rated with a B-plus on Niche. In middle school, students have the opportunity to embark on a STEM-focused pathway via the robotics program offered from sixth to 12th grade. This program follows the Engineering Design Process and allows students to build and program robots from the ground up to participate in competitions. As for athletics, the high school has a plethora of varsity sports, including football, which always packs the bleachers during home games with passionate friends and families.

As for green space, Monaca Riverfront Park is a scenic stretch along the Ohio River, perfect for a picnic or playdate.

Enjoy small-town living with all the conveniences of a town center just minutes away from home in Monaca.

Photography Contributed By

Jeffrey Muschar

Video By

Jacob Cardwell