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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kathleen MacKinnon, GRI, ABR,
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in St Marys, PA sell after 286 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in St Marys, PA over the last 12 months is $15,000.
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.
This property offers super hunting and trial riding of all types just outside of Emporiums amenities. This rare listing features diverse mountain topography in the PA Wilds region. The great road system leads to the mountain top up the scenic valley filled with hardwoods. The secluded food plot at the top could be expanded or used as a off grid cabin location with breathtaking views to the North
Spacious 4 bedroom, 2 bath home located in a quiet neighborhood close to town. Situated on a deep lot with a two stall detached garage and a shared driveway. This home features an eat-in kitchen, formal dining room, full bathroom on each floor, 2nd floor laundry, a full walk up attic, full basement and 2 stairways to access the second floor. Updates include paint, bathrooms, flooring, fixtures
Price improved! Family-friendly two-story with four bedrooms, first-floor den, attached garage, and big backyard in a great location. Call today for your showing
Looking to build your next home or getaway in a convenient suburban setting while still being in close proximity to essential amenities and services, then look no further! Situated in a well-established community, these residential lots are ready for immediate development, allowing you to start constructing your new home without delay. All city services are available in underground lines. Just
Charming inside and out. If walls could talk, this 3-bedroom, 1.25-bath beauty would tell tales of cozy nights by the crackling fireplace and joyful dinners in the formal dining room. With a spacious layout, gleaming hardwood floors, a storybook exterior, and a deck made for gatherings, it is packed with both personality and functionality. This home is move-in ready, located on a large corner lot
Welcome to this delightful two-bedroom, one-bath home, offering approximately 728 +/- sq feet of comfortable living space. This well-maintained residence features central air and natural gas forced air heating, ensuring cozy temperatures year-round. The home comes equipped with essential appliances, including a refrigerator, dryer & range. Recent upgrades include new windows installed in 2019,
Looking for land to develop? This prime piece of residential land is located between Villa and Ford roads in St Marys. This 20+/- acre piece does not include the four developed lots on Jera and Villa Rd. that are under same map and deed.
Beautiful ranch home on approximately 4 acres. 3 bedrooms, large kitchen and totally finished basement with bar, full kitchen and another full bath. 2 stall detached garage and gorgeous lot. Country living at its finest but still close to town.
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the 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.
