Franklin
Neighborhood in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County 15221
Renovated properties and historically high vacancy rates in Wilkinsburg
Most homes in Franklin were built from the late 19th through the early 20th centuries. American Foursquares, two-story cottages and Victorian-style homes are the norm, and some streets feature brick rowhomes. Several houses have been renovated or converted into multifamily properties, but others need repairs, as Wilkinsburg has historically struggled with high vacancy rates. The borough has received several state grants to help combat the issue, and spots like the Stone Soup Community Garden have brought new life to its vacant lots. Home prices typically range from $30,000 to $175,000, depending on the condition of the property. “Wilkinsburg offers more affordable housing, but it’s very renter-heavy,” Pugliesi says. Nearly 80% of residents are renters, and while Franklin’s overall CAP Index crime score of 5 is only slightly higher than the national average, scores for certain violent crimes are higher.
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Neighborhood green spaces and community centers near Frick Park
Ferguson Park is a neighborhood green space with two playgrounds, a basketball court and a picnic pavilion. Kids gather in the park each summer for Park It!, a free recreation program running from June through August. In Franklin’s northwestern corner is the Wilkinsburg Public Library, which offers educational and recreational programs for all ages. Two community centers, Hosanna House and Community Forge, also support residents with summer camps, after-school programs and professional development services.The neighborhood is about 3 miles from Frick Park, Pittsburgh’s largest green space. It covers 644 acres and features everything from playgrounds and athletic facilities to nature trails and an environmental center that offers educational programming for all ages. Franklin also has several houses of worship that represent a variety of faiths, including two mosques and various Christian churches.
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The Wilkinsburg School District has a low student-teacher ratio
The Wilkinsburg School District earns an overall grade of C-plus from Niche and has an average student-teacher ratio of 10-to-1. It consists of the C-plus-rated Kelly Primary School and the C-rated Turner Intermediate School. The district partners with the B-minus-rated Pittsburgh Public Schools to send middle and high school students to Pittsburgh Westinghouse Academy 6-12, which scores a C-minus. In 2024, the two districts received $15.3 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Renew America’s Schools grant program to help fund renovations at 20 schools, including Kelly Primary, Turner Intermediate and Westinghouse Academy. Renovations are ongoing and aim to increase energy efficiency across both school districts. Franklin is also home to the Pittsburgh Urban Christian School, which earns an A from Niche and covers prekindergarten through eighth grade.
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Summer festivities include the Wilkinsburg Thursday Market
Summer is a popular season for community events. In downtown, residents gather in the Harold Young Sr. Parklet for the borough’s summer concert series and the weekly Wilkinsburg Thursday Market. Wilkinsburg Community Day is another local favorite with live music, food and a bounce house in Hunter Park, less than a mile from Franklin.
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Access to PRT bus stops and downtown Pittsburgh
Sidewalks allow residents to easily access Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus stops. PRT buses make frequent stops in Franklin and along the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway, a bus-only highway running along the neighborhood’s western edge. For those who prefer to drive, Interstate 376 is just outside of Franklin. Downtown Pittsburgh is less than a 10-mile drive away via I-376, and Pittsburgh International Airport is about 26 miles from the neighborhood.Revitalization projects and local businesses in downtown Wilkinsburg
Downtown Wilkinsburg is reinventing itself with the help of the WCDC. Renovation projects include transforming the historic Wilkinsburg Train Station and Lohr Building into innovative mixed-use developments with leasable office spaces. The latter is also home to the Lohr Gallery, where the Art All Over series highlights local creatives. Local businesses range from longstanding institutions like Kenyon’s Jewelers to newer additions such as Lovett Sundries, a sustainable shop selling all-natural beauty and household products. For the essentials, there’s Dollar General, Save A Lot and Aldi.The dining scene showcases a variety of flavors. Fireside Caribbean is a counter-serve spot serving up traditional dishes in takeout boxes. Salvatore’s Pizza House & Bar has been part of the community since 1984, and the neighborhood pizzeria proudly displays pictures of Wilkinsburg’s history on its walls. Nancy’s Revival is another standout with classic diner eats and an old-school look. There are more shops and restaurants in trendy East End neighborhoods like Regent Square, less than 2 miles from Franklin.
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Written By
Sally Stimpson
Photography Contributed By
Anthony Kelly
Video By
David Strayer
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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John Marzullo
John Marzullo
COMPASS PENNSYLVANIA, LLC
(724) 952-3574
1,064 Total Sales
1 in Franklin
$205,000 Price
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Kimberly Agapito
Kimberly Agapito
Responds QuicklyREALTY ONE GROUP GOLD STANDARD
(412) 775-2256
32 Total Sales
1 in Franklin
$43,000 Price
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Tim Gyves
Tim Gyves
Responds QuicklyCOMPASS PENNSYLVANIA, LLC
(412) 228-0013
105 Total Sales
1 in Franklin
$115,000 Price
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Mona Whitman
Mona Whitman
KELLER WILLIAMS EXCLUSIVE
(814) 631-6726
21 Total Sales
1 in Franklin
$30,000 Price
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Kimberly Dudt
Kimberly Dudt
EXP REALTY LLC
(412) 790-1662
73 Total Sales
2 in Franklin
$90K - $191K Price Range
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Paola Andrae
Paola Andrae
RE/MAX SELECT REALTY
57 Total Sales
2 in Franklin
$20K - $43K Price Range
Schools
Source:
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
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Parks in this Area
Ferguson Park
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
- Playground
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Franklin | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 8 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 5 | 4 |
| Robbery | 7 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Franklin Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Franklin, Wilkinsburg sell after 156 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Franklin, Wilkinsburg over the last 12 months is $95,000, up 121% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$175,000
Median Sale Price
$95,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$210,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$140,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
23%
Last 12 months Home Sales
4
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
121%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$65
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
413
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1905
Months of Supply
6.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,786
Below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,098
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,435
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,049
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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$305,000
- 4 Beds
- 1.5 Baths
- 2,196 Sq Ft
- 901 Ross Ave
- New 23 days ago
Don't miss your chance to move right into this already furnished beautiful, conveniently located, 4 Bedroom 1.5 Bath brick home today- furniture, TVS, and appliances all included! The spacious attic is newly finished, perfect for a 4th bedroom or extra living space. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout and nice sized rooms! Enjoy peace of mind with its New Roof! There are many opportunities
LeQuira Hutson KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY
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$140,000
- 812 Ross Ave
Discover this captivating three-story Victorian triplex in a PRIME LOCATION, an ideal investment opportunity for the perfect landlord! Featuring two beautifully updated units and one that’s ready for your final touch, you can capitalize on the potential to enhance the property’s value. This triplex comes complete with a spacious yard, a balcony for every unit, all while being conveniently
Ashley Pugliesi REALTY ONE GROUP PLATINUM
Homes for Rent
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$1,000 per month
- 2 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 1155 Rebecca Ave
- Pittsburgh, PA
Charming 2-Bedroom, 1-Bathroom First-Floor Apartment in Wilkinsburg. Features Include: Beautifully Restored Wooden Floors – Enjoy the warmth and character of original hardwood throughout most of the apartment. Updated Kitchen – Equipped with new appliances and modern updates. Recently Updated Bathroom – Featuring contemporary finishes for a fresh and clean look. 2 Garage Stalls available for rent
Collin Meenihan MILESTONE REALTY
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,664
Median Age
37
Population under 18
26%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$37,397
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$39,209
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
84.6%
College Graduates
19.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.6%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
6''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
63
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
82
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Hunter Park
Residential neighborhood with a community park just outside Pittsburgh
Kelly West
Residential neighborhood with local businesses next to Pittsburgh’s East End
Reviews
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