Home to just over 2,000 people spread out over nearly 16 square miles, Upper Burrell Township is a rural community in northern Westmoreland County. With a countryside setting, the town embraces a slower pace of life in its rustic homes and few family-owned businesses. The community is also located along the southern edge of the Alle-Kiski Valley, a region of southwestern Pennsylvania whose proximity to the Allegheny and Kiskiminetas Rivers brought iron, steel and glass companies to the area throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Upper Burrell remains a prominent industrial hub today, employing thousands of people across the Westmoreland Businesses and Research Park, Arconic Technology Center and Penn State New Kensington campus. While the township feels secluded, it offers access to Pennsylvania Route 780 and residents can travel to the neighboring township of Lower Burrell for shopping or dining.
Farmland in Upper Burrell Township defines this scenic rural area of Pennsylvania.
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Upper Burrell offers rustic homes with several acres of land
Single-family homes are spaced out along winding country roads that branch off Pennsylvania Route 780. Spacious lots average over six acres, and thickets of mature trees add to Upper Burrell’s sense of residential privacy. Most homes were built throughout the 1970s and ‘80s, and homebuyers will find a mix of Cape Cod, split-level and ranch-style homes. Traditional farmhouses complement the township’s verdant landscapes, and home prices typically range from $175,000 $350,000. Custom-built properties can fetch upwards of $500,000, and newer construction built in the early 2000s sells for $400,000 to $550,000. Limited inventory means that there are only a few houses on the market at any given time, with only nine homes sold within the last year. Upper Burrell has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score and significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Upper Burrell Township features newer homes set on spacious lots.
New developments are popping up in Upper Burrell Township.
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Sports, boating and fishing at Northmoreland Park
There are no public parks in Upper Burrell Township, but residents can head 5 miles north to Northmoreland Park. Spanning 548 acres, it’s the largest park in Westmoreland County and features various athletic facilities, a BMX track and a nature-themed playground. Multi-use trails wind around Northmoreland Lake, which features a boat launch for canoes and kayaks. A small fishing deck is a popular spot for anglers, with rainbow trout being the most common catch. The township is also about 5 miles from two private country clubs: Willowbrook Country Club and Hill Crest Country Club. Both clubs feature 18-hole golf courses, and Hill Crest offers an outdoor pool, tennis courts and bocce ball courts. Equestrians can bring their horses to training facilities at Ghost Pines Farm and Lions Head Farm.
Upper Burrell locals walk their dogs around Northmoreland Park.
Upper Burrell Township residents take a peaceful walk through Elbert N. Kunkle Park.
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Community events at the Upper Burrell Township Municipal Building
At the Upper Burrell Township Municipal Building, residents come together for seasonal festivities like the annual Children’s Halloween Party. The Upper Burrell Volunteer Fire Company hosts a weekly fish fry each Friday during Lent, and attendees can purchase raffle tickets to win gift cards, cash prizes and Easter baskets. There are several houses of worship in the township, including the First Baptist Church of Upper Burrell and the Manchester Reformed Presbyterian Church. In the Bon Air Elementary School parking lot, the Lower Burrell Farmers Market invites residents to shop local each Saturday from June to October.
Vocational programs at the Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology C
The Burrell School District earns a B-plus from Niche and has an average student-teacher ratio of 15-to-1. Students can begin their education at the B-rated Bon Air Elementary School before moving on to Charles A. Huston Middle School, which receives a C-plus. Burrell High School scores a B-plus, and high schoolers can apply to vocational programs at the Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center. As of 2024, the NWCTC offers 12 vocational programs in fields such as advanced manufacturing, culinary arts and welding. The township is home to Penn State New Kensington, a commonwealth campus of Pennsylvania State University offering a variety of baccalaureate and associate degree programs. The Penn State New Kensington Art Gallery is open to the public and features a rotating cast of exhibits from local artists. The township is also about 25 miles from Seton Hill University and the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. “This whole entire county, our colleges are very good,” says Melissa Merriman, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty with 19 years of experience in the industry. “Seton Hill also has LECOM, which is a great medical college.”
Bon Air Elementary School is dedicated to providing Upper Burrell Township students with a great education.
Charles A. Huston Middle School builds bright futures for Upper Burrell Township students.
Burrell High School shapes the next generation of leaders from Upper Burrell Township.
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Local gathering spots include Woodpeckers Pub & Grub
While shopping and dining are limited in Upper Burrell, several local businesses serve the community. Also known as 7th Street Road, Pennsylvania Route 780 bisects the township and serves as its main thoroughfare. Dollar General sells the essentials, and Woodpeckers Pub & Grub offers a laidback sports bar. The bar serves American classics and encourages friendly competition with cornhole leagues, pool tournaments and games of Texas Hold’em. A bit further north, Jack’s Backyard Bar & Grill is a go-to spot for pizza, wings and drinks long after sunset. Just down the street, 3740 Café is a small coffee shop with locally sourced food, free Wi-Fi and a cozy fireplace.
In the neighboring Lower Burrell Township, shops and restaurants line Leechburg Road. The Hillcrest Shopping Center is about a 4-mile drive away and includes Community Supermarket. Residents are about 10 miles from the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills, an indoor mall with a movie theater and department stores like Macy’s. Next to the mall, the Village at Pittsburgh Mills features Aldi, Lowe’s, Walmart and Sam’s Club.
Upper Burrell Township loves Woodpeckers Pub & Grub for its great food.
Locals meet up with friends at 3740 Cafe in Upper Burrell Township.
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Access to Pennsylvania Route 28 and Pittsburgh
Upper Burrell lacks public transportation and is heavily car-dependent. The township is about 6 miles east of Pennsylvania Route 66, a major north-south highway in Westmoreland County that eventually joins with Interstate 76. Pennsylvania Route 28 is about 8 miles west across the Allegheny River, and the highway leads 28 miles southwest into Pittsburgh. The township is about 33 miles from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, which offers direct flights to two destinations: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Orlando, Florida. Pittsburgh International Airport is approximately 45 miles away.
Major employers in the Westmoreland Business and Research Park
The township is home to the Westmoreland Business and Research Park, which offers more than 900,000 square feet of building space and is the largest facility owned by the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation. The park features more than 20 companies, including Polyconcept North America, the eighth-largest private employer in Westmoreland County. Just north of the business park, the Arconic Technology Center spans over 1,800 acres.
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Beautiful & private setting for this home situated on 2 acres. Stunning woodlands lead to a creek at the rear of the property. Neighboring horse farms add to the country setting. The main floor features a LR, DR, dine-in kitchen w/oak wood cabinetry, island & lots of counter space. Electric cook top w/ wall oven, dishwasher & refrigerator convey w/ the sale. The great rm off the kitchen is huge
Exquisite 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath home offering luxury living, versatility, and exceptional design for today’s family and work-from-home needs.Situated in an exclusive, peaceful neighborhood, this home boasts a striking two-story entry, bathed in natural light, creating an immediate sense of grandeur. The expansive main floor is designed for both relaxed living and sophisticated entertaining,
Nestled on lovely 1.3 acre lot this 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath homes has a cozy feel from the minute you enter the home. Open living room, dining and kitchen. Kitchen is equipped with electric stove, dishwasher, refrigerator and pantry. Jet tub in main bath. Laundry room just off the kitchen with washer and dryer. . Beautiful covered front porch and covered back patio. Many updates included electric,
Home is situated on 1/2 acre. Propane stove. Dining Room off of kitchen, used to be a bedroom. Bedroom off of dining room is now a closet. Primary Bedroom off of living room. Attic entrance is located in Primary Bedroom. First floor full bathroom shower in basement. 2 car garage Wood Burning stove is locate in the basement.
Marianne ReidBERKSHIRE HATHAWAY THE PREFERRED REALTY
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