Overview & Orientation
Canonsburg is a borough in northern Washington County, about 18 miles southwest of Downtown Pittsburgh along Chartiers Creek. It covers about 2.3 square miles, with a walkable downtown along Pike Street and quick access to I-79 and the Southpointe business park next door. Canonsburg is known for one of the largest Fourth of July parades in Pennsylvania, its September Oktoberfest, Canonsburg Town Park, and the Canon-McMillan School District.
Where Canonsburg Is
- County: Washington County
- Type: Borough, laid out in 1789 and incorporated in 1802, covering about 2.3 square miles. See Wikipedia’s Canonsburg entry.
- ZIP code: 15317
- Neighbors: Cecil Township (north and northeast), North Strabane Township (east and south), Houston Borough (southwest), and Chartiers Township (west and northwest)
Borough or Mailing Address?
The “Canonsburg, PA 15317” mailing address covers far more than the borough. It reaches into several neighboring townships, including the Southpointe area of Cecil Township and part of Peters Township. Each municipality has its own services, taxes, and school district:
| Municipality | School District |
|---|---|
| Canonsburg Borough | Canon-McMillan |
| Cecil Township (including Southpointe) | Canon-McMillan |
| North Strabane Township | Canon-McMillan |
| Chartiers Township | Chartiers-Houston |
| Houston Borough | Chartiers-Houston |
| Peters Township (McMurray area) | Peters Township |
To confirm a property’s municipality and school district, check the deed, the tax bill, or Washington County’s online property records.
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate and vary by where you start. Traffic varies by time of day, especially on I-79.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Southpointe | 5–10 minutes |
| Bridgeville | 15 minutes |
| Washington, PA | 15–20 minutes |
| South Hills Village area | 20–25 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 30–40 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 30–35 minutes |
A Brief History
Canonsburg is named for Colonel John Canon, a miller who bought land along Chartiers Creek and laid out the town in the late 1780s. It became an early center of learning on the frontier. John McMillan’s Log School, built in the 1780s, led to Canonsburg Academy and then Jefferson College, founded in 1802 as the first college west of the Allegheny Mountains. Jefferson College moved to Washington in 1868 and is now part of Washington & Jefferson College.
The railroad arrived in 1871, and the town grew with coal mining and steel and metal work through the 20th century. Today, metalware maker All-Clad and candy maker Sarris Candies are based in Canonsburg, and the Southpointe business park in neighboring Cecil Township is home to many corporate offices.
Notable Landmarks
- Pike Street: Canonsburg’s main street and the route of the Fourth of July parade
- John McMillan’s Log School: A preserved 1780s log schoolhouse on East College Street, called the oldest educational building west of the Allegheny Mountains
- National Register sites: The Canonsburg Armory, Hawthorne School, and Roberts House
- Canonsburg Town Park: The borough’s main park, with a pool and amphitheater
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Inside the borough, many homes are older and sit on a street grid near Pike Street and the creek, with sidewalks connecting them to the downtown. Later 20th-century homes line the hillsides. In the surrounding townships that share the Canonsburg mailing address, newer subdivisions and townhome communities are common, especially near Southpointe and along the I-79 corridor.
Types of Homes
- Single-family homes (the majority in the borough)
- Duplexes and townhomes
- Apartments, including some above storefronts downtown
- Newer subdivisions in the surrounding townships
Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Canonsburg.
Schools
Canon-McMillan School District
Canonsburg Borough is served by the Canon-McMillan School District, formed in 1954, which also covers Cecil Township and North Strabane Township. The district office is at 200 Big Mac Boulevard, Canonsburg. See the district overview for background.
- Elementary (K–4): Borland Manor, Hills-Hendersonville, Muse, South Central, and Wylandville
- Intermediate (5–6): Cecil Intermediate and North Strabane Intermediate
- Middle (7–8): Canon-McMillan Middle School
- High (9–12): Canon-McMillan High School
- Online (K–12): The district’s Cyber Academy
Homes with a Canonsburg mailing address in Chartiers Township, Houston, or Peters Township are in different districts. See the table above.
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- Washington & Jefferson College (Washington)
- CCAC’s Washington County center and CCAC South Campus (West Mifflin)
- 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
- Interstate 79: Runs along the west side of town, with interchanges for Canonsburg and Southpointe, connecting north toward Bridgeville and Pittsburgh and south toward Washington
- U.S. Route 19: Washington Road, running north through Peters Township toward the South Hills
- Pike Street: The main street through downtown
Public Transit
Freedom Transit, Washington County’s bus system, runs weekday commuter trips between Canonsburg and Downtown Pittsburgh, Saturday trips to the South Hills T station, and a weekday County Line route linking Canonsburg with Washington, Houston, and McDonald. Check Freedom Transit for current schedules and fares.
Walkability & Bikeability
Canonsburg’s downtown is compact, and some errands can be done on foot. Most trips beyond the borough are easier by car. See Walk Score for Canonsburg, PA. Town Park has walking trails.
Things to Do
Parks & Outdoors
Canonsburg Town Park
VFW 191 Drive, Canonsburg. A swimming pool, playground, basketball and pickleball courts, a skate park, ballfields, walking trails, and an amphitheater for concerts. The park hosts the summer Camp Splash program, fall bonfires, a spring egg hunt, and winter sledding. See the borough’s Town Park page. Three pavilions can be reserved for the season, which runs May through September.
Canonsburg Lake
A 76-acre lake a short drive from the borough, managed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. It has a boat launch, shore fishing, and an accessible fishing pier, and boats are limited to electric motors at no-wake speeds. The dam was built in 1943, per Wikipedia.
Community Events
- Fourth of July: A parade down Pike Street that dates to 1963 and draws tens of thousands of visitors, plus a 5K, free swimming at Town Park, fireworks at Canon-McMillan’s stadium, and a concert at the Town Park amphitheater. See this year’s coverage.
- Pennsylvania Bavarian Oktoberfest: Held the third weekend of September around Pike Street and North Central Avenue, organized by the Canonsburg Chamber of Commerce, with food vendors, two music stages, craft vendors, and carnival rides. See the Observer-Reporter’s preview.
- Year-round: Check the borough calendar for other events.
Shopping & Dining
Local shops and restaurants line Pike Street and nearby downtown streets. Sarris Candies runs its chocolate shop and ice cream parlor in Canonsburg. Larger retail and dining are a short drive away at Southpointe, along Route 19 in Peters Township, and in the South Hills.
Library
The Frank Sarris Public Library is at 35 North Jefferson Avenue, (724) 745-1308. It serves Canonsburg, Cecil, North Strabane, and nearby communities, with books, movies, computers, Wi-Fi, and programs for all ages.
Local Services & Resources
Canonsburg Borough Office
68 East Pike Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317
Phone: (724) 745-1800
Website: canonsburgboro.com
Borough Council: Generally holds an agenda meeting and a voting meeting each month on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Check the borough calendar for dates.
Trash & Utilities
The borough keeps a contact sheet for its garbage hauler, sewage, and utility companies on its website. Call the borough office at (724) 745-1800 for collection days and set-out rules.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police: Canonsburg Police Department, (724) 745-8020
- Fire: Canonsburg Volunteer Fire Department, (724) 746-1014
Hospitals Nearby
- AHN Canonsburg Hospital, on Medical Boulevard in North Strabane Township. AHN has announced plans for a replacement hospital at Southpointe, targeted to open in 2029.
- Washington Health System Washington Hospital (Washington)
- St. Clair Hospital (Mt. Lebanon)
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, deck, fence, or pool? Permit applications are on the borough’s forms page, and the building department can be reached at (724) 263-0377.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Canonsburg in?
Canonsburg is in Washington County, about 18 miles southwest of Downtown Pittsburgh.
How did Canonsburg get its name?
It is named for Colonel John Canon, a miller who laid out the town along Chartiers Creek in the late 1780s.
What school district serves Canonsburg?
The borough is in the Canon-McMillan School District, which also serves Cecil and North Strabane Townships. Homes with a Canonsburg mailing address in Chartiers Township, Houston, or Peters Township are in other districts.
Is Southpointe in Canonsburg?
Southpointe uses a Canonsburg mailing address, but it is in Cecil Township, next to the borough along I-79.
When is the Canonsburg Fourth of July parade?
It is held on the Fourth of July along Pike Street, with fireworks that night. Check the borough for the current schedule.
When is the Canonsburg Oktoberfest?
The Pennsylvania Bavarian Oktoberfest is held the third weekend of September in downtown Canonsburg.
Is there a bus from Canonsburg to Pittsburgh?
Yes. Freedom Transit runs weekday commuter trips between Canonsburg and Downtown Pittsburgh, plus Saturday trips to the South Hills T station.
How long is the drive from Canonsburg to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 30 to 40 minutes, usually by I-79 and I-376. Traffic varies by time of day.
Thinking About a Move to Canonsburg?
Whether you are buying in Canonsburg or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including which municipality and school district a specific Canonsburg-address home is in. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Canonsburg listings, or 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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