Pittsburg is the most populous city in Crawford County and is in Southeast Kansas close to the Missouri State line. Named for the city in Pennsylvania, but without the H, the city’s history is tied to the coal mining industry. The city is home to Pittsburg State University, which has brought a near renaissance to the city as the school’s campus has continued to intertwine with downtown. “Anytime you have a university town, there’s a young vibe,” says Nichole Hamblin, a Realtor with ReeceNichols Sunflower Realty. “There are quite a few hometown businesses in the area, but Pitt State is the driving force and the heart of this town.”
Education – both at the college and public school district – is among the top employers in the city. Other industry includes trade, transportation and healthcare.
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Midcentury architecture at accessible rates
Housing styles from bungalows to ranch-style to 2-story traditional line Pittsburg streets. The median list price is $155,250, less than half the U.S. median list price of $420,000. The median home sale price was up 15% year over year. Hamblin offers an optimistic response when young people say they’ll ever be able to own a home.
“Pittsburg’s affordable. You can put a little work into an older home, or you can even buy a brand-new home here for a reasonable price,” she says, suggesting buyers explore builder incentives and shop government loans.
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Pittsburg Community Schools is the largest district in Southeast Kansas
Niche gives the Pittsburg Unified School District 250 an overall B Grade, naming it the third-best school district in Crawford County. The district serves nearly 3,400 students and has four elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school.
Westside Elementary School is part of the Pittsburg public school district.
Pittsburg High School is the pride of Pittsburg Kansas.
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Mined Land Wildlife Area is an expansive outdoor retreat
Mined Land Wildlife Area, which was the surface land of the city’s coal mines from the 1920s to mid-70s has been transformed into more than 14,000 acres of outdoor recreation. The diverse topography can be used for hunting, hiking, and berry picking, while anglers can use its ponds and lakes. The city maintains 15 parks with varying amenities. Schlanger Park has an all-abilities playground and pool, while Lincoln Park is home to the J.J. Richards Band Dome, Kiddieland Amusement Park and the Pittsburg Aquatic Center.
Pittsburg residents gather to play pickleball at Lincoln Park.
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Chicken Annie’s and Chicken Mary’s continue to battle out the “chicken wars”
Downtown Pittsburg offers a variety of shops, boutiques and eateries, such as Toast, bolstered by the new development in Block 22. Meanwhile, eight miles up the road, the “chicken wars” continue to play out as Chicken Annie’s and Chicken Mary’s continue their 8-decade battle to see who serves the best fried chicken. Residents can find more shopping options at the Meadowbrook Shopping Complex and Walmart Supercenter.
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Community rallies around Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg State University’s campus has become a makeshift community gathering space. Sporting events bring the community together. As does the school’s Bicknell Family Center for the Arts. The space has an art gallery and two performance halls that host concerts, shows and plays throughout the year. “Everybody’s a Gorilla,” Hamblin says, making note of the school’s mascot. “You can always find a basketball or football game you can attend. The performing arts community for a town of this size is amazing.”
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U.S. Route 69 and Kansas Highway 126 are main thoroughfares
Interstate 44 and Interstate 49 are within 25 miles via U.S. Route 69 and Kansas Highway 126, respectively. The Joplin Regional Airport is the closest, 30 miles away. It only offers commercial flights to Chicago. Springfield-Branson National Airport has more flight destinations and is 90 miles away.
Important to Know
Overall crime has dropped slightly between 2022 and 2023, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. This includes violent crime and property crime.
Written By
Anne Amoury
Photography Contributed By
Kenyon Gerbrandt
Video By
Victoria York
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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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
On average, homes in Pittsburg, KS sell after 47 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Pittsburg, KS over the last 12 months is $150,000, up 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Over 20 acres on south side of Pittsburg's Industrial Park! Entrance road area at frontage is narrow, but leads to expansive 20.2 acres of land that has both wooded and cleared areas, wildlife & a few small ponds of water in back acreage. County boundaries and aerial view of property is available from listing agent. Zoned IP-2
Buyer's loss is your gain! Through NO fault of the Seller. this adorable updated camp-style home in quiet neighborhood is back on the market and offers 2 bedrooms/1 bathroom and recent renovations which include a newer roof! A large privacy/chain link fence surrounds the spacious backyard with storage shed. A very well maintained home that would be great for starting out, retirement or solid
Nestled on a sprawling 2-acre lot, this homestead offers a rare blend of rural tranquility and convenient access to city amenities--perfect for those seeking privacy, space, and the freedom to create their own country retreat.There is a large front porch to do some front porch sitting and ample room for various outdoor activities, gardening, or even the possibility of building additional
From unwinding in our pool to soaking up the sun in our tanning salon, we have several more reasons to become a resident at Crimson Villas. Only walking distance to Pittsburg State campus! Convenient on-site laundry and fiber optic internet. Whether joining current friends or making new ones—you're bound to create unforgettable memories at Crimson Villas! Roommate matching available.
The newest and most exciting apartment complex in Pittsburg, Kansas! Nestled in the heart of this vibrant college town, just a few minutes from Pittsburg State, University Digs offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and community for students and local residents alike.Step into a world of modern living with our thoughtfully designed studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments.
The Edge at Rouse is a fully furnished luxury apartment homes at one all-inclusive price. Our four-bedroom four-bathroom layout allows for incredible privacy for each resident occupying the apartment. Each room is carpeted & comes with a private bathroom, walk-in closet, full-sized bed, desk & chair. If applicants do not yet have roommates in mind, they will be prompted to fill out a detailed
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.
