A small city in the southwestern Pittsburgh Metro Area
As the county seat of Washington County, Washington has a long history that can be traced back to the days of the American Revolution. The city was the site of the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794 and is home to the early 19th-century LeMoyne House, Pennsylvania’s first National Historic Landmark that was part of the Underground Railroad. Today, Washington has a population of just over 13,400 and proudly displays its rich history in its established homes and storied downtown. “It’s a place where you get to know your neighbors. People look out for each other here, and it’s a good community,” says Brenda Deems, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathway HomeServices The Preferred Realty who was born and raised in the city.
While Washington maintains a small-town feel, U.S. Census Bureau data shows that the larger Washington County was one of only two counties in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area to see population growth between 2020 and 2023, with an estimated 0.4% increase in population. This growth comes after the county invested over $500 million into infrastructure and economic development over the last decade, and most recently with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center acquiring the former Washington Health System in 2024. UPMC has pledged to invest at least $300 million into upgrades at UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene over the next 10 years. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, UPMC Washington is the county’s largest employer, followed by the non-profit PathWays of Southwestern Pennsylvania and the telecommunications provider Crown Castle. “There are also a lot of people who relocate to the area because of the businesses in Southpointe,” says Rich Dallas, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathway HomeServices The Preferred Realty and Washington County resident. The mixed-use business park is about 12 miles from Washington and employs nearly 15,000 people across more than 300 companies, including 15 headquarters or divisions of New York Stock Exchange companies.
Many residents of Canonsburg work at the near by UPMC Washington hospital.
PathWays of Southwestern Pennsylvania is one of Washington's largest employers.
LeMoyne House was part of the Underground Railroad in Washington.
Southpointe is a mixed-use business park about 12 miles from Washington.
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Traditional homes, newer construction and below-average home prices
Washington has experienced several periods of growth and development over its century-long history, and the city contains a variety of architectural styles that reflect these different eras. “There are a lot of homes with the official historic landmark application, but they're also currently building around the edges of town," Deems says. Homebuyers can find everything from American Foursquares and two-story cottages built throughout the early 1900s to newer construction built in the 21st century. There are also Cape Cod, ranch-style and bi-level homes built around the mid-1900s. The median price of single-family homes in Washington is just under $215,000, compared to the national median price of nearly $419,000. Home prices are also about 11% lower than the median sales price of single-family homes in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area, which the National Association of Realtors reported to be around $239,000 in the third quarter of 2024. There are several townhouse developments on the outskirts of the city, and the median sales price for townhouses is $316,000.
A classic American Foursquare sits on a good sized lot on a side street of Washington.
Two story cottage homes were built throughout the early 1900's in Washington.
The very common brick built ranch style home can be found on several streets of Washington.
Washington has some newer construction developments built in the 21st century.
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Downtown Washington, local farmers market and nearby outlet mall
For shopping and dining, there’s downtown Washington. The walkable commercial corridor features a host of local businesses that are centered around Main Street. “It’s a really active area,” Deems says. Shops like Popcorn Willy and Gaming Dungeon are just across the street from local eateries such as Harmony House Café and The Presidents Pub. Homemade Italian food is on the menu at The Union Grill, while Shorty’s Lunch is known for its signature gravy fries. Downtown also hosts the Main Street Farmers Market on Thursday nights from May through October. Outside of downtown, Pennsylvania Route 18 offers a small commercial corridor with mainstays like Osso’s Original Pizza. “Any time people visit from out of town, they go to Osso’s. Everybody misses it when they move away,” Deems says. The family owned pizzeria has been serving up thin-crust pies for more than 70 years.
Shopping centers like Strabane Square and Trinity Point are less than 3 miles from the city center. Washington is also 5 miles from several regional attractions, including the Tanger Outlets, the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows and the Washington Crown Center shopping mall.
Osso's Pizza is a popular take out place for pizza, subs and sandwiches in Washington.
The Main Street Farmers Market in Washington runs during the months of May through October.
Shorty’s Lunch in Washington is known for its signature gravy fries.
Residents of Washington are very close to the Meadows Race Track and Casino.
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Washington School District and a private liberal arts college
The Washington School District earns an overall grade of C from Niche and has an average student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1. The district consists of a primary school, an intermediary school, a middle school and a high school, all of which receive a C or higher from Niche. Private school options include the John F. Kennedy Catholic School, which serves prekindergarten through eighth grade in collaboration with the city’s St. James Parish and Immaculate Conception Church.
Just east of the city center is Washington & Jefferson College, a private liberal arts college with around 1,300 students. “There’s not really a big college vibe in Washington; there’s maybe one or two roads right around the campus where all the fraternities and stuff are,” Dallas says. “It’s more of a commuter college.” According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Washington & Jefferson College is also one of the top 50 employers in Washington County.
Washington Junior Senior High School in Washington.
Washington Park Elementary School in Washington.
John F Kennedy Catholic School offers students many activities including musicals and art.
Washington and Jefferson College in Washington was founded in 1781.
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Washington Park, community theatre and professional baseball team
According to the Trust for Public Land, 82% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. On the city’s eastern end, Washington Park offers 270 acres of green space with opportunities for outdoor and indoor recreation. It features a swimming pool, paved walking paths and several ballfields where the PONY League World Series is held each August. Residents can stay active year-round at the park’s Vernon C. Neal Sportsplex, an indoor recreation center with turf fields, volleyball courts and a hockey rink. The sports complex also has athletic leagues for youth and adults. For those looking for a quieter outdoor space, the city also has three smaller neighborhood parks. As part of the 2013 City of Washington & the Borough of East Washington Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Plan, master site plans have been developed for the 7th Ward Playground and Washington Park, but as of 2024, renovations have not been completed at either location.
The city’s arts scene revolves around local groups like the Washington Jazz Society, the Washington Symphony Orchestra and the Washington Community Theatre. The theatre group performs several plays and musicals each season at their venue in the heart of Washington Park. In downtown, the historic Bradford House dates to the late 18th century when it was built by David Bradford, a prominent businessman who would later lead the Whiskey Rebellion against a federal tax on spirits in 1794. Visitors can schedule guided tours of the house, and the Whiskey Rebellion Education & Visitor Center is just across the street. Wild Things Park is less than 3 miles from the city center, and the baseball stadium is home to the city’s Washington Wild Things. The team competes in the Frontier League and typically plays home games from May through August.
Washington Park has swimming, tennis, baseball, hiking and much more for the family to do.
The home of the Washington Wild Things in Southwest Washington.
The 7th Ward Playground sits on the corner lot in Washington.
Bradford House in Washington, home of David Bradford, the leader of the Whiskey Rebellion.
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Whiskey Rebellion Festival, holiday market and annual fair
Washington features a packed calendar of community events. Popular festivities include the annual Whiskey Rebellion Festival, which celebrates the city’s rich history each July with a weekend of street performances, historical reenactments and whiskey samplings along Main Street. In November, the Downtown Washington Holiday Market transforms Main Street into a winter wonderland complete with local vendors, carriage rides and a festive Christmas parade with an appearance from Santa Claus.
The city is less than 3 miles from the Washington County Fairgrounds, where over 100,000 people attend the Washington County Fair each August. As one of the oldest fairs in Pennsylvania, it highlights the county’s agricultural community with rodeos, farm shows, tractor pulls and more. The fairgrounds also host the annual Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts Christmas Festival and Washington County Rib & Musical Festival.
Santa surprises kids at the Kids Christmas Carnival.
A big attraction at the Whiskey Rebellion is the sampling of all the different libations.
Everyone was trying to stay warm at the Washington Christmas Parade.
The Washington Christmas Parade wasn't complete without the inflatable Santa Claus.
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WalkWorks pedestrian route, highway access and Freedom Transit
Outside of its walkable downtown and sidewalk-lined residential streets, Washington is primarily car-dependent. In 2018, the city collaborated with the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s WalkWorks program to develop a one-mile walking route around downtown Washington that leads past attractions like Washington & Jefferson College, the Bradford House and the city’s Community Pavilion. Washington is centrally located at the intersection of several major thoroughfares, including Interstates 79 and 70, Pennsylvania Route 18 and U.S. Route 19. These highways connect residents to the rest of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area and beyond, with the Steel City itself about 28 miles northeast and Pittsburgh International Airport around 32 miles away. Freedom Transit offers local bus service throughout the city, including a commuter route that travels from Washington to Pittsburgh on weekdays.
A four-season climate, flash floods and crime rates
Washington experiences all four seasons, with summer temperatures climbing into the 80s and winter temperatures dropping to sub-20. The city sees an average annual snowfall of around 29 inches, with the snowiest months being January and February. Rain is typical in May, June and July, with an average annual rainfall of just under 40 inches. The city is historically susceptible to flash flooding during periods of heavy rain, and after seeing record-breaking rainfall in April 2024, the city issued flash flood warnings before declaring a state of emergency. The risk of flooding is typically highest around Chartiers Creek, which flows along the city’s northwestern edge. According to the University of Pennsylvania’s 2022 Community Climate Outlook for Washington County, annual rainfall across the county is expected to increase within the next 50 years by an average of two inches.
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, the violent crime rate in Washington is about 7% higher than the national rate. The rate of property-related crimes in the city is almost equal to the national rate, with Washington’s rates just 2% lower.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
Photography Contributed By
Anthony Kelly
Video By
Andrew Perrius
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.
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