Overview & Orientation
Trafford is a small borough on the eastern edge of the Pittsburgh area, about 16 miles east of Downtown. It mostly sits in Westmoreland County, with a small corner in Allegheny County. George Westinghouse founded the town around his Trafford Foundry in the early 1900s. Today Trafford is known for its compact borough streets, B-Y Park, and its spot at the western end of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail.
Where Trafford Is
- Counties: Mostly Westmoreland County, with a small portion in Allegheny County
- Type: Borough, incorporated in 1904, covering about 1.45 square miles
- ZIP code: 15085
- Neighbors: Penn Township to the northeast, North Huntingdon from the east-northeast to the south, North Versailles Township to the west, and Monroeville to the north. See Wikipedia’s Trafford entry.
Borough or Mailing Address?
The “Trafford, PA 15085” mailing address also covers parts of neighboring Penn Township, including much of Level Green. A home with a Trafford address may be in Penn Township, which has its own government, police, and trash service. Both are in the Penn-Trafford School District. To confirm a property’s municipality, check the deed, the tax bill, or the county’s property records.
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate and vary by where you start. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Monroeville | 10–15 minutes |
| North Huntingdon (Route 30) | 10–15 minutes |
| Greensburg | 25–30 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 30–40 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 45–55 minutes |
A Brief History
In 1902, George Westinghouse bought land in the northern corner of North Huntingdon Township to build a new foundry. He named the town after Trafford, near Manchester, England. The Trafford Foundry began operations on October 3, 1903, and homes and businesses grew up around it.
Trafford was incorporated as a borough on August 29, 1904. In recent years, the former Turtle Creek Branch rail line was turned into the Westmoreland Heritage Trail, and the 5.9-mile section from Trafford to Murrysville opened in September 2017.
Notable Landmarks
- B-Y Park: The borough’s main park and the western trailhead of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail
- Veterans Memorial Park: At Edgewood Avenue and Fifth Street, where the Memorial Day parade ends
- Brinton Avenue: Home of the borough building and the Trafford library
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Trafford grew quickly after the foundry opened in 1903, so much of the borough’s housing is older, on a compact street grid with sidewalks and smaller lots. Homes with Trafford mailing addresses in Penn Township range from mid-century neighborhoods to newer subdivisions.
Some streets are near local creeks. Check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center before buying in a low-lying area.
Types of Homes
- Single-family homes (the majority)
- Duplexes and multi-unit homes
- Apartments
Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Trafford, or browse nearby Level Green.
Schools
Penn-Trafford School District
Trafford is served by the Penn-Trafford School District, which also covers Penn Township and Penn Borough. The district office is at 1100 Randall Court, Export, (724) 744-4496.
- Elementary (K–5): Trafford Elementary is in the borough. The district’s other elementary schools are Harrison Park, Level Green, McCullough, and Sunrise Estates.
- Middle (6–8): Trafford Middle School and Penn Middle School
- High (9–12): Penn-Trafford High School, in Harrison City
Elementary and middle school assignment depends on address. Confirm with the district. See the district overview for background.
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- CCAC Boyce Campus (Monroeville)
- Penn State Greater Allegheny (McKeesport)
- 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 130: Connects Trafford east through Level Green and Harrison City
- Monroeville connections: Local roads lead north to Monroeville, Route 22, and I-376
- Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76): The Monroeville interchange (Exit 57) is the nearest Turnpike access. See the PA Turnpike for tolls and travel alerts.
Public Transit
Most trips are by car. Check Westmoreland Transit and Pittsburgh Regional Transit, which serves nearby Monroeville, for current routes.
Walkability & Bikeability
The borough’s center is compact, with sidewalks on many streets. Errands beyond town usually need a car. See Walk Score for Trafford, PA. The Westmoreland Heritage Trail gives walkers and cyclists a car-free route east toward Murrysville and Export.
Things to Do
Westmoreland Heritage Trail
Trafford is the western end of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail, which follows the former Turtle Creek Branch rail line. From the B-Y Park trail access, off PA Route 130, the trail runs about 9 miles to Lincoln Avenue in Export, passing through Monroeville and Murrysville. The Trafford trailhead has parking, and the 2017 opening of this section added restrooms, a visitor center, and a bike repair station near the trail access. See TribLive’s coverage.
Parks
From the borough’s parks and pavilion page:
- B-Y Park: Three rentable pavilions, next to the Heritage Trail access
- Westmoreland Park: A park setting available for events
- Kolonay Fields: Ball fields in South Trafford
- Veterans Memorial Park: At Edgewood Avenue and Fifth Street
To reserve a pavilion, call the borough at (412) 372-7652.
Annual Events
Trafford holds a Memorial Day parade with marching bands, antique cars, fire trucks, and floats, ending with a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park. Check the borough website for other community events.
Shopping & Dining
Trafford has local shops and restaurants in the borough. Larger retail is a short drive away in Monroeville and along Route 30 in North Huntingdon.
Library
The Trafford Community Public Library is at 416 Brinton Avenue, (724) 420-5638. It is part of Westmoreland County Libraries.
Local Services & Resources
Trafford Borough Office
414 Brinton Avenue, Trafford, PA 15085
Phone: (412) 372-7652
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Website: traffordborough.com
Borough Council: Regular meetings are held monthly on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at 414 Brinton Avenue. See the meeting schedule.
For homes with Trafford addresses in Penn Township, contact Penn Township at (724) 744-2171.
Trash & Public Works
- Trash and recycling: Waste Management, (800) 451-3060
- Public Works: Road maintenance, snow removal, and sewer lateral questions, (412) 372-7652
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police: Trafford Borough Police Department, providing 24/7 coverage
- Fire (non-emergency): Trafford Volunteer Fire Department No. 1, (412) 372-5662
Hospitals Nearby
- AHN Forbes Hospital and UPMC East (Monroeville)
- UPMC McKeesport
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, deck, fence, or pool? For homes in the borough, start with the borough office at (412) 372-7652 for building permits and zoning questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Trafford, PA in?
Mostly Westmoreland County. A small part of the borough extends into Allegheny County.
How did Trafford get its name?
George Westinghouse named it after Trafford, near Manchester, England, when he built his foundry here in the early 1900s.
What school district serves Trafford?
The Penn-Trafford School District. Trafford Elementary and Trafford Middle School are in the borough.
Is a “Trafford, PA” address always in Trafford Borough?
No. The 15085 ZIP code also covers parts of Penn Township, including much of Level Green. Check the deed or tax bill to confirm the municipality.
Where does the Westmoreland Heritage Trail start in Trafford?
At the B-Y Park trail access off PA Route 130, with parking on site. From there, the trail runs about 9 miles to Export.
Who collects trash in Trafford?
Waste Management collects trash and recycling in the borough. Call (800) 451-3060 with service questions.
How long is the drive from Trafford to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 30 to 40 minutes, usually through Monroeville and I-376. Traffic varies by time of day.
When does Trafford Borough Council meet?
Regular meetings are held monthly on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at 414 Brinton Avenue. Dates are posted on the borough website.
Thinking About a Move to Trafford?
Whether you are buying in Trafford or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including whether a specific Trafford-address home is in the borough or Penn Township. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Trafford listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
Explore Nearby Communities
- Level Green (homes for sale)
- Harrison City / Penn Township (homes for sale)
- Monroeville (homes for sale)
- North Huntingdon (homes for sale)
- Irwin (homes for sale)
- Murrysville (homes for sale)
Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
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