Pennsylvanian city situated in the middle of elk country
St. Marys is a city of 13,000, positioned in Pennsylvania’s mountainous Allegheny Plateau. In the 1840s, the settlement’s German Catholic founders intended on using the surrounding land for agriculture, but the hilly topography proved too rugged. So, by the close of the century, the townspeople shifted to enterprises such as logging and mining. Since the 1900s, St. Marys has established itself as a major manufacturer of graphite, metal powder and carbon-based products such as electrodes. “It’s a nice town. We have a lot of industry and good schools,” says Christi Aiello, an associate broker with Anderson & Kime Realty who has been selling properties for 20 years. “We’re also located close to Allegheny National Forest for people who like camping, fishing, boating and hunting.” To Aiello's final point, St. Marys lies in the middle of Pennsylvania’s elk country and is one of the few places to hunt elk in the eastern United States.
St. Marys is a safe and walkable neighborhood.
St. Marys is the leading carbon graphite manufacturer and global supplier.
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Historic Victorians and midcentury ranch-style houses
Homes rarely enter the market in St. Marys, but the median price hovers around $110,000, which is almost a quarter of the national median. “We have way more buyers than sellers, and we don’t have a lot of new housing here,” Aiello says. “We have a lot of homes from the 1900s through the ‘70s. Most are kept in good condition and have hardwood floors and vinyl siding. We also have log cabins and Victorians from the 1900s.” American Four Squares, Colonial Revivals and Victorians stand proud just outside of downtown. Cape Cods, ranch-style homes and split-levels fill outlying subdivisions.
American Four Squares in St Marys is the perfect house style for growing families.
St Marys residents keep their lawns nice and tidy.
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Downtown St. Marys hosts local businesses
Shops, restaurants and businesses converge around the town green called the Diamond. Most eateries serve American fare, though a few international cuisines make up the dining scene, including Mexican and Chinese spots. Gunners is a community mainstay, functioning as a hotel, restaurant and bar. On select evenings, patrons can enjoy live music. Operating since 1872, Straub Brewery offers craft beers and free brewery tours. Fast food and shopping chains are uncommon, though St. Marys does offer several dollar stores. Walmart is just half a mile south of town.
Meet up with friends for a drink at Straub Brewery in St Marys.
St. Marys residents love to have lunch at Taco Inc Mexican Bar and Grille.
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Elk hunting on State Game Lands
Pennsylvania State Game Lands lie on the north and northeast sides of the city. The area is home to turkeys, black bear and white-tailed deer. Elk hunting tags are obtained through a lottery. Alternatively, spectators can view the herd from Winslow Hill Elk Viewing Area southeast of town. Bendigo State Park grants opportunities for kayaking, swimming in the public pool and strolling through hills and forests. Spanning over 500,000 acres, Allegheny National Forest to St. Marys’ west is popular for camping and off-highway vehicle riding.
St Marys locals head to Winslow Hill to get a view of the wildlife walking by.
St Marys hunters head to the State Game Lands for deer or turkey season.
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The Bavarian Fall Festival and county fair fun
The Bavarian Fall Festival runs for three days in late September. Visitors can enjoy food and crafts brought by vendors, listen to live music and try a chance at winning bundles of local goodies through basket raffles. The Elk County Fair is another highlight, typically taking place for five days in August. Visitors can meet farm animals and watch the crowning of the Elk County Fair Queen.
Saint Marys Area School District
Saint Marys Area School District earns an overall C from Niche. Roughly 1,900 students attend classes across six schools. The Elk County Catholic School System provides pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students with a faith-based education and includes three private schools: St. Marys Catholic Elementary School, St. Marys Catholic Middle School and Elk County Catholic High School.
St. Marys Area Senior High School has a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1.
The Elk County Catholic School has 675 students in grades PK, K-12.
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Close to Pennsylvania Route 120, far from the expressway
Pennsylvania Route 120 cuts through the city, running 11 miles west to Ridgway and 25 miles east to Emporium. Both of these destinations are also reachable via Area Transportation Authority of North Central Pennsylvania buses. Penn Highlands Elk, the local hospital and a major employer, sits on the west side of town. Located 31 miles to the southwest, DuBois Regional Airport offers commercial flights to Pittsburgh and Washington Dulles International Airport. The town of DuBois is also the location of the nearest expressway, Interstate 80.
Crime and climate in St. Marys
According to FBI statistics, violent crimes increased 27% between 2022 and 2023, while property crimes dropped 24% over the same period. St. Marys experiences four distinct seasons. Summers are muggy and winters are cold, typically bringing several feet of snow each year.
Written By
Alexander Breuhan
Photography Contributed By
Anna Dukovich
Video By
Tyler Newbold
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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.
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On average, homes in St Marys, PA sell after 108 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in St Marys, PA over the last 12 months is $55,000, down 45% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This inviting two-story home offers 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths situated on a corner lot. Recent updates include; New roof, windows, kitchen, bathrooms, 200 amp electric and plumbing. One car attached garage and first floor laundry hookups.
Nestled in a quiet, friendly neighborhood, this cozy 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom home offers comfort, convenience, and charm. Perfectly situated close to local parks and schools, it's an ideal spot for families or anyone looking for a peaceful place to call home.Enjoy the beautiful lot with trees, landscaping, and a spacious backyard--perfect for relaxing, entertaining, or gardening. Inside, you'll
At 429 Erich Rd, St Mary's you will find what once was the old Ambulance Emergency Medical Service building. This property was recently rezoned from commercial to residential property. This 2 story building has a one stall garage (which can be converted back to 3 stall) on the lower level as well as 2 unfinished rooms and a 1/2 bath. Upstairs is a partially finished kitchen/living room, one
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