Incorporated in 1892, Mt. Oliver Borough has a long history of pride and independence. Residents have repeatedly resisted annexation into the city of Pittsburgh, and the borough maintains a unique identity despite historically struggling with high vacancy rates and economic blight. Community organizations have brought new life to Mt. Oliver’s burgeoning business district along Brownsville Road, while investors have updated many of the borough’s turn-of-the-century homes. “Mt. Oliver used to be a very dangerous part of the city, but they recently made a lot of changes in the borough,” says Elise Bickel, owner of Bridge Home Realty and a local Realtor with over 20 years of experience in the industry. “They’re buckling down on code enforcement, which has increased value in the area. There’s been a lot of growth in the community.” Today, Mt. Oliver Borough offers a mix of old and new alongside a central location in the Hilltop — an area known for its steep streets and proximity to Downtown Pittsburgh. “Most people in Pittsburgh know that we have hills everywhere, but it’s definitely still walkable,” Bickel says.
Plant smiles, grow love, in Mount Oliver Borough.
Catch up with friends on Brownsville Road in Mount Oliver Borough.
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20th-century homes include American Foursquares
Outside its commercial corridor, Mt. Oliver Borough is primarily residential and features an eclectic mix of architectural styles. “There are a lot of options there, and it’s a lot of older homes,” Bickel says. Most homes were built from the late 19th century through the mid-1900s. Although some houses are over a century old, many properties have been renovated and offer updated kitchens, modern appliances and new hardwood floors. American Foursquares, Dutch Colonial Revivals and Victorian-style homes sit side-by-side on narrow lots with fenced-in backyards. Due to the borough’s hilly terrain, many properties sit on raised lots and have small staircases leading up to their front doors. Prices typically range from $40,000 for a house in need of repair to $225,000 for a home with recent renovations. Mt. Oliver Borough has historically struggled with high vacancy rates, and local organizations like the Hilltop Alliance work to encourage housing stabilization in the community. The borough also has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 5 out of 10, higher than the national average of 4. This overall crime score is driven by higher-than-average scores for violent crimes.
Large single-family homes line the streets in the Mount Oliver Borough.
There are different styles of homes in the Mount Oliver Borough including brick ranch homes.
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Transverse Park includes a playground and a community garden
Mt. Oliver Borough has two neighborhood parks that residents can walk to: Transverse Park and Ormsby Avenue Park & Playground. In the southeastern corner of the borough, Transverse Park features a playground, a deck hockey rink and a football field with a concession stand. The 15-acre park is also home to the Mount Oliver Borough Community Garden, where residents can rent individual garden plots and grow fresh produce from May through October. As part of the 2017 Mt. Oliver Borough Comprehensive Plan, the borough is working to develop a master plan that will focus on updating and maintaining the amenities in Transverse Park. A bit further north is Ormsby Avenue Park & Playground, a smaller green space that has a basketball court and a vibrant play area with a climbing wall. Over on Brownsville Road, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Knoxville hosts programs for all ages.
Spend some time with your best friends in Transverse Park.
Shoot some hoops at Ormsby Avenue Park & Playground.
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Career-based learning at Carrick High School
Kids can attend Pittsburgh Public Schools, which earns a C-plus from Niche and has an average student-teacher ratio of 11-to-1. Pittsburgh Arlington PreK-8 receives a C from Niche, while Carrick High School scores a B-minus. The high school offers several Career and Technical Education programs, and teens can earn industry certifications in fields such as carpentry, culinary arts and finance technology. The borough is less than 6 miles from several local universities across the Monongahela River, including Duquesne University, the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University.
Pittsburgh Carrick High School is part of the Pittsburgh School District.
At Arlington PreK-8 students are encouraged to excel through incentives and recognition.
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Community events include the Hilltop Harvest Festival
In addition to shopping and dining, Brownsville Road is a destination for community events. The Deck provides an outdoor event space where residents gather for festivities like the Mt. Oliver Live Summer Music Series. In September, the Hilltop Harvest Festival transforms the street into an outdoor market featuring urban farm vendors, live music and family-friendly activities. Brownsville Road also hosts Light Up Night, a holiday celebration with a tree lighting, a winter artisan market and an appearance from the borough’s own Santa Claus, locally known as the Real Beard and Belly Santa.
Stop in to ECHT Coffeehouse Lounge and Bistro in Mount Oliver Borough for friendly service.
Next time you are in Mount Oliver Borough you need to visit The Cheese Queen on Brownsville Ave.
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The Liberty Bridge connects residents to Downtown Pittsburgh
Mt. Oliver Borough offers proximity to Downtown Pittsburgh, which is just 3 miles north. U.S. Route 19 is about 2 miles east of the borough, and the thoroughfare provides access to the Liberty Tunnels and the Liberty Bridge, which crosses the Monongahela River and leads north into downtown. The Pittsburgh Regional Transit provides local bus service to the community, including several stops along Brownsville Road. US 19 provides access to Interstate 376, and Pittsburgh International Airport is about a 20-mile drive away via I-376.
Mount Oliver Borough is about a 10-minute drive to Downtown Pittsburgh.
You can find PRT bus stops up and down Brownsville Road in Mount Oliver Borough.
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Shopping and dining along Brownsville Road
While Brownsville Road runs along the western edge of Mt. Oliver Borough, it’s the heart of the community’s economic revitalization. The borough is part of the Allegheny Together Program, which aims to redevelop traditional commercial corridors like the Brownsville Road Business District. Vacant storefronts have been filled by new businesses like The Cheese Queen, a charcuterie shop selling an assortment of gourmet foods, specialty cheeses and custom-made grazing tables. Homemade chocolate desserts fill the display cases at TC Candy, while TrZade Salon serves as a natural hair salon. Local restaurants include Flavor of Puerto Rico, known for its traditional empanadas stuffed with meat and cheese. Momma Gayles Soul Food Café specializes in homestyle Southern food, and Maietta’s Restaurant has earned a reputation as a long-standing neighborhood pizzeria. Residents can pick up the necessities at chain retailers like Family Dollar and Miller’s Ace Hardware. For groceries, Giant Eagle Supermarket is less than 3 miles north.
Everyone loves the food at Flavor of Puerto Rico in Mount Oliver Borough.
Maietta's Restaurant in Mount Oliver Borough has great food and great people!
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Level I Trauma Center at UPMC Presbyterian
Residents are less than 10 miles from several award-winning hospitals managed by the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. UPMC Presbyterian boasts a Level I Trauma Center, while the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is home to the only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center in western Pennsylvania.
Take some time to discover Mount Oliver Borough.
The Mount Oliver Fire Department serves the Mount Oliver Borough 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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Nila Porter,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Bon Air Playground
Arlington Park
South Side Park
Ormsby Avenue Park & Playground
Basketball
Playground
Transverse Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
Phillip Murray Park
Playground
Transit
Airport
Pittsburgh International
32 min drive
Bus
Arlington Ave & Frederick
Bus
Arlington Ave & Koehler
Bus
Amanda St & Charles
Bus
Amanda St & Arlington Ave
Bus
Penn Ave & School Way Fs
Bus
Brownsville Rd & Walnut St Fs
Bus
Arlington & John F.S.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Mt Oliver Borough
US
Homicide
8
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Mt Oliver Borough Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Mt Oliver Borough, Mount Oliver sell after 92 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Mt Oliver Borough, Mount Oliver over the last 12 months is $105,250, up 68% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Value add opportunity for a rare 8-unit mixed-use building in the Mt. Oliver area of Pittsburgh. This property features 6 residential units and 2 commercial storefronts. The storefronts are currently occupied by a successful barber and dog training facility. Units are under-rented and have the potential for serious increases. Great location close to the city, shopping, and public transit.
Located in the Mount Oliver neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA 15210. This home offers great value and could be an excellent addition to your investment portfolio. This home features a formal entryway with an exposed wood staircase, large living room and a formal dining room equipped with built-in shelving. An eat-in kitchen provides access to a level, easy-to-maintain backyard. The second floor
Great investment opportunity! This well-maintained triplex hosts 3 apartments, 2 of which have signed leases and the third unit needs renovated and has a bonus commercial space previously operated as a restaurant. With flexible zoning, the restaurant area offers potential for conversion into additional apartment units, increasing rental income.
Property Id: 1492778Inquiries that do not include a brief introduction with a few lines about yourself and why you are looking for housing will not receive a reply.This is an updated 3 bedroom 3rd floor apartment. Apartment has all new finishes, fixtures, appliances, and paint. Heat and a/c, dishwasher, washer/dryer in unit. All utilities are separate and paid by tenant.
- Awesome, newly updated 1/2 duplex 2 bedroom half duplex in Mt. Oliver!- Hurry! Completely remodeled unit with brand new kitchen with GRANITE Countertops and new LUXURY PLANK floors throughout!- Shared backyard- Only 2.9 miles to downtown! Literally down the street from Brownsville road and all the shopping you need!
Property Id: 1068617This is a 1 bedroom 1 bathroom with tub, first floor includes Living room, dining area and kitchen, upstairs includes bedroom, bathroom with tub and closet in hallway, nice unit with character, option for furnishedLaundry on-site,outside there's a common area where you can sit relax and even do outdoor grilling,option to rent a garage or a storage unit
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Nila Porter,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,455
Median Age
38
Population Density
16 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$31,906
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$53,081
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
81.7%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
16.4%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
9.9%
% Population in Labor Force
60%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
40''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
33/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
72/ 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.
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.
