Overview & Orientation
Allison Park is a community in the North Hills of Allegheny County, about 12 miles north of Downtown Pittsburgh. It is not its own municipality. Allison Park is a census-designated place and the name of the 15101 ZIP code, and much of it is in Hampton Township. The area is known for its wooded hills and for two of the county’s largest parks, North Park and Hartwood Acres, along with the Depreciation Lands Museum.
Where Allison Park Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Type: An unincorporated community and census-designated place covering about 13.9 square miles. it includes parts of Hampton, McCandless, Shaler, Indiana, and West Deer Townships.
- ZIP code: 15101, with “Allison Park, PA” as the mailing city. Here is why that matters: local government, schools, and services come from whichever township a home is in, not from the mailing address.
- Hampton Township at a glance: About 16 square miles, bordered by Richland (north), West Deer (northeast), Indiana (east and southeast), Shaler (south), and McCandless (west)
Which Township, Which School District?
| Township | School District |
|---|---|
| Hampton Township | Hampton Township |
| Shaler Township | Shaler Area |
| McCandless Township | North Allegheny |
| Indiana Township | Fox Chapel Area |
| West Deer Township | Deer Lakes |
To confirm a property’s township, check the deed, the tax bill, or Allegheny County’s online real estate records.
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate and vary by where in Allison Park you start. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 25–30 minutes |
| Oakland | 25–35 minutes |
| North Park | 5–15 minutes |
| Cranberry Township | 20–25 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 35–45 minutes |
A Brief History
In the 18th century, settlers called this area Talley Cavey, and it was part of the large Pitt Township. The name comes from Tullycavy, a place on the Ards Peninsula in County Down, in what is now Northern Ireland. In Irish Gaelic it means “hill over the borough.”
The land here was part of the Depreciation Lands, about 700,000 acres north of the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers that Pennsylvania surveyed in the 1780s. The state used the land to pay Revolutionary War soldiers, either by granting it to them or by selling it to raise money for their pay.
Hampton Township was incorporated in 1861. It is named for Moses Hampton, a judge and member of Congress who signed the papers that made it a municipality. Read more about Hampton Township’s history.
Notable Landmarks
- North Park: The largest park in the Allegheny County system, with an Allison Park address
- Hartwood Acres: A county park with a 1929 Tudor mansion
- Depreciation Lands Museum: A living-history museum built around an 1837 meeting house
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Allegheny County describes Hampton Township as hilly and wooded. Many streets follow the hills and stream valleys rather than a straight grid, and lot sizes vary from street to street.
- Suburban subdivisions: Single-family homes on curving residential streets, built across many decades
- Wooded and rural-feeling lots: Found in parts of the area, especially toward the township edges
- Flood awareness: The county notes floodplains along several waterways in Hampton. Check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center before buying near a creek.
Types of Homes
- Single-family homes (the majority)
- Townhomes, condominiums, and apartments
Browse current homes for sale in Hampton Township. For homes in the Shaler, McCandless, Indiana, or West Deer parts of Allison Park, contact our team, or browse nearby listings in McCandless and Pine Township.
Schools
Hampton Township School District
Homes in Hampton Township are served by the Hampton Township School District. Its district office is at 4591 School Drive, Allison Park, PA 15101, (412) 486-6000.
- Elementary: Central, Poff, and Wyland Elementary Schools
- Middle: Hampton Middle School
- High: Hampton High School
- Other options: Hampton Online Academy, and career and technical training at A.W. Beattie Career Center
Other Districts in Allison Park
- Shaler Township: Shaler Area School District
- McCandless Township: North Allegheny School District
- Indiana Township: Fox Chapel Area School District
- West Deer Township: Deer Lakes School District
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- La Roche University and CCAC North Campus (McCandless)
- University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and other Oakland campuses
For school performance data, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Future Ready PA Index and the district’s own website. School assignments can change. Confirm directly with the district.
Getting Around
Major Roads
- PA Route 8 (William Flinn Highway): The main north–south road through Hampton, running south through Shaler toward Pittsburgh and north toward Richland and Gibsonia
- Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76): The Butler Valley Interchange (Exit 39) connects the Turnpike with Route 8 in Hampton Township. See the PA Turnpike for tolls and travel alerts.
- Mount Royal Boulevard: A main local road linking Allison Park with Shaler and Glenshaw
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) provides bus service to parts of the North Hills. Service in Allison Park is limited, so check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
Most of Allison Park is car-oriented. See Walk Score for Allison Park, PA for walking, transit, and bike ratings. Park trails at North Park, Hartwood Acres, and Hampton Community Park offer places to walk and ride.
Things to Do
North Park
North Park is at 303 Pearce Mill Road, Allison Park. At 3,089 acres across Hampton, McCandless, and Pine Townships, it is the largest park in the Allegheny County system. Highlights include:
- A 66-acre lake with a boathouse built in 1934, plus kayaking and fishing
- An 18-hole golf course, a swimming pool, and an ice skating rink
- Tennis and pickleball courts, an archery range, and an off-leash dog park
- Hiking trails and a nature center
Hartwood Acres
Hartwood Acres covers 629 acres in Hampton and Indiana Townships. Its Tudor mansion was built in 1929 by architect Alfred Hopkins for John and Mary Flinn Lawrence and is open for tours and high teas. The park also has the Stables, a sculpture garden, an off-leash dog park, and wooded trails for walking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. Free summer concerts are held at the amphitheater.
Depreciation Lands Museum
The Depreciation Lands Museum is at 4743 South Pioneer Road in Hampton Township. Its visitor center is an 1837 meeting house original to the site, and the grounds include the 1803 Armstrong Log House and about 10 historic and re-created buildings. Costumed interpreters demonstrate trades such as blacksmithing and woodworking. The museum is generally open on Sunday afternoons from May through October. Check the website for current hours.
Hampton Township Parks
Hampton Community Park has about 3 miles of free hiking trails, six public tennis courts, and the township’s community pool. The Hampton Community Center offers memberships, open gym time, room rentals, and programs. Harts Run is also available for recreation. See the township FAQ for pool hours and details.
Shopping & Dining
Route 8 is the main commercial corridor through Allison Park, with grocery stores, shops, and restaurants. Larger retail is a short drive west on McKnight Road and north in Richland and Cranberry.
Library
The Hampton Community Library is at 3200 Lochner Way, Allison Park, (412) 684-1098. It offers public computers and free Wi-Fi. Its listing on the Allegheny County Library Association site has more details.
Local Services & Resources
Hampton Township Municipal Building
3101 McCully Road, Allison Park, PA 15101
Phone: (412) 486-0400
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays
Website: hampton-pa.gov
County profile: Allegheny County municipal profile
For homes in the Shaler, McCandless, Indiana, or West Deer parts of Allison Park, contact that township instead.
Trash, Utilities & Public Works
Hampton Township contracts with Waste Management for trash, recycling, and yard waste pickup, with periodic household hazardous waste collection. Billing and schedules are on the township website. For utility providers, snow removal, and road questions, call the municipal building at (412) 486-0400.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police: Hampton Township Police Department
- EMS: Shaler Hampton EMS
- Fire: Hampton Township fire service. Call the municipal building for non-emergency questions.
Hospitals Nearby
- UPMC Passavant–McCandless
- UPMC St. Margaret (Freeport Road)
- AHN Allegheny General Hospital (North Side)
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, deck, fence, or pool? For homes in Hampton, start with the municipal building at (412) 486-0400 for building permits and zoning questions. Permit forms are on the township’s forms page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Allison Park, PA a town?
No. Allison Park is a census-designated place and the name of the 15101 ZIP code. It covers parts of Hampton, McCandless, Shaler, Indiana, and West Deer Townships.
What county is Allison Park in?
Allison Park is in Allegheny County, about 12 miles north of Downtown Pittsburgh.
What school district serves Allison Park?
It depends on the township. Homes in Hampton Township are in the Hampton Township School District. The Shaler part is in Shaler Area, McCandless is in North Allegheny, Indiana Township is in Fox Chapel Area, and West Deer is in Deer Lakes.
Is North Park in Allison Park?
North Park’s official address is 303 Pearce Mill Road, Allison Park. The park itself spans 3,089 acres across Hampton, McCandless, and Pine Townships.
What was Allison Park originally called?
Early settlers called the area Talley Cavey, after Tullycavy in County Down, in what is now Northern Ireland. Hampton Township was later incorporated in 1861.
How long is the drive from Allison Park to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 25 to 30 minutes, usually by Route 8. Traffic varies by time of day.
Which Turnpike exit serves Allison Park?
The Butler Valley Interchange, Exit 39, connects the Pennsylvania Turnpike with Route 8 in Hampton Township.
Where is the Hampton Township municipal building?
The municipal building is at 3101 McCully Road, Allison Park, PA 15101. The phone number is (412) 486-0400.
Thinking About a Move to Allison Park?
Whether you are buying in Allison Park or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including which township and school district a specific Allison Park home is in. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
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Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
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