Overview & Orientation
Swissvale is a borough in Allegheny County, about 7 miles east of Downtown Pittsburgh, on the hills above the Monongahela River. It covers about 1.2 square miles, with steep streets, a mix of older homes, and easy access to the Parkway East and the East Busway. Swissvale is known for its 1918 Carnegie library, its rail and manufacturing history, and its location next to Regent Square and Frick Park. It is part of the Woodland Hills School District.
Where Swissvale Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Type: Borough, covering about 1.2 square miles. See Wikipedia’s Swissvale entry.
- ZIP code: 15218, with Pittsburgh mailing addresses
- Neighbors: Edgewood (north), Braddock Hills (east), North Braddock (southeast), Rankin (south), and the City of Pittsburgh’s Regent Square and Swisshelm Park neighborhoods (west). Munhall is across the Monongahela River.
Swissvale, Regent Square, or Just a Pittsburgh Address?
Homes in Swissvale use “Pittsburgh, PA 15218” mailing addresses, and that ZIP code is shared with neighboring communities. Part of the Regent Square neighborhood also crosses into Swissvale. Each municipality has its own services, taxes, and school district:
| Municipality | School District |
|---|---|
| Swissvale Borough | Woodland Hills |
| Edgewood | Woodland Hills |
| Braddock Hills | Woodland Hills |
| City of Pittsburgh (Regent Square, Swisshelm Park) | Pittsburgh Public Schools |
| Wilkinsburg | Wilkinsburg (Pre-K–6); grades 7–12 attend Pittsburgh Public Schools through a partnership |
To confirm a property’s municipality and school district, check the deed, the tax bill, or Allegheny County’s online real estate records.
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate and vary by where you start. Traffic varies by time of day, especially on the Parkway East.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Regent Square / Frick Park | 5 minutes |
| Squirrel Hill | 10 minutes |
| The Waterfront (Homestead) | 10–15 minutes |
| Oakland | 15 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 15–25 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 35–45 minutes |
A Brief History
Swissvale is named for the Swisshelm family farm, which overlooked the Monongahela River valley. Farmers settled the area around 1800, and the opening of a railroad station here in 1852 turned Swissvale into an early commuter town, with growing commerce.
Industry followed the rails. Starting in 1874, the Allegheny Car & Transportation shops operated here, and George Westinghouse later bought them and founded Union Switch & Signal. Known locally as “The Switch,” the railway signal plant grew to more than 50 acres before closing in 1986, and part of its site became Edgewood Towne Centre. Kopp Glass, founded in 1900, still makes specialty glass in Swissvale. See the Rivers of Steel history report for more.
Notable Landmarks
- Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale: Built in 1918, the last library Andrew Carnegie built in Allegheny County
- Swissvale Historical Society: A local history archive at 1713 Hays Street
- Kopp Glass: A specialty glass maker operating in Swissvale since 1900
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Swissvale’s hilly streets are lined mostly with homes built from the late 1800s through the mid-1900s, when the borough grew around the railroad and its factories. Brick and frame single-family homes, two-unit homes, and some row homes are common, many with front porches. Sidewalks connect most streets, though some hillside streets are steep.
Homes in low-lying areas near the Monongahela River should be checked on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
Types of Homes
- Single-family homes
- Duplexes and two-unit homes
- Row homes and townhomes
- Apartments
Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Swissvale.
Schools
Woodland Hills School District
Swissvale is served by the Woodland Hills School District, which serves 12 municipalities in the eastern suburbs. Per the district’s welcome brochure, the district’s schools are:
- Elementary (K–5): Edgewood, Turtle Creek, and Wilkins Elementary STEAM Academies
- Middle (6–8): Dickson Preparatory STEAM Academy
- High (9–12): Woodland Hills High School, in Churchill
- Online (K–12): Woodland Hills Online Academy
Elementary assignments depend on where a home is located. Check with the district for the school that serves a specific address.
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Carlow University, and Chatham University, about 15 minutes away
- CCAC Boyce Campus (Monroeville) and CCAC South Campus (West Mifflin)
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
- I-376 (Parkway East): Runs just north of the borough. Exit 78 serves Edgewood and Swissvale.
- South Braddock Avenue: Runs north to Regent Square and Frick Park and south toward Rankin and the Rankin Bridge
- Monongahela Avenue: A main local street through the borough
Public Transit
Swissvale has two stops on the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway, a bus-only roadway to Downtown: Roslyn and Swissvale, which has a park-and-ride lot of about 160 spaces. Check Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
Many errands in Swissvale and nearby Regent Square can be done on foot, though the hills can make walking a workout. See Walk Score for Swissvale, PA. Frick Park’s trails are a short walk or drive away.
Things to Do
Parks & Outdoors
Frick Park
Pittsburgh’s largest city park borders the area through Regent Square and Swisshelm Park, with miles of wooded trails, the Frick Environmental Center, and lawn bowling greens. See Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.
The borough also has local athletic fields and playgrounds. Contact the borough office for current recreation programs.
Carrie Blast Furnaces
Just south in Rankin, the Carrie Blast Furnaces are a rare surviving piece of the region’s steel history. Rivers of Steel offers seasonal tours and events at the site.
Library
The Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale is at 1800 Monongahela Avenue, (412) 731-2300. Built in 1918, it has served the public in its original building ever since, with renovation work for accessibility and building systems. Visit the library’s website for hours and programs.
Swissvale Historical Society
The Swissvale Historical Society, at 1713 Hays Street, preserves the borough’s history and keeps a collection of historical documents.
Shopping & Dining
Edgewood Towne Centre, on part of the former Union Switch & Signal site, has groceries and other stores. The South Braddock Avenue business district in Regent Square, with independent shops and restaurants, is a short walk or drive away. The Waterfront in Homestead is across the river.
Local Services & Resources
Swissvale Borough Office
7560 Roslyn Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15218
Phone: (412) 351-3342
Contact the borough office for council meeting dates. Allegheny County’s profile of Swissvale lists borough contacts and services.
Trash & Recycling
The borough handles trash and recycling collection with its own trucks. Call the borough office at (412) 351-3342 for your collection days and set-out rules.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police: Swissvale Police Department
- Fire: Swissvale’s fire department
- EMS: Eastern Area Prehospital Services
Hospitals Nearby
- UPMC Shadyside, UPMC Presbyterian, and other Oakland hospitals, about 15 minutes away
- AHN Forbes Hospital (Monroeville)
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, deck, fence, or pool? Contact the borough office at (412) 351-3342 for building and zoning permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Swissvale in?
Swissvale is in Allegheny County, about 7 miles east of Downtown Pittsburgh.
Is Swissvale part of the City of Pittsburgh?
No. Swissvale is its own borough, even though homes use “Pittsburgh, PA 15218” mailing addresses.
How did Swissvale get its name?
From the Swisshelm family farm, which overlooked the Monongahela River valley. The railroad station that opened in 1852 carried the name.
What school district serves Swissvale?
The Woodland Hills School District. Check with the district for the elementary school that serves a specific address.
Is there a busway stop in Swissvale?
Yes. The East Busway has Roslyn and Swissvale stations, and the Swissvale station has a park-and-ride lot.
Does Swissvale have a library?
Yes. The Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale, at 1800 Monongahela Avenue, has been open since 1918.
How close is Swissvale to Frick Park?
Very close. Frick Park’s trails can be reached through neighboring Regent Square and Swisshelm Park, about 5 minutes away.
How long is the drive from Swissvale to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 15 to 25 minutes on the Parkway East. Traffic varies by time of day. The East Busway is another option.
Thinking About a Move to Swissvale?
Whether you are buying in Swissvale or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including whether a specific 15218 home is in Swissvale, Edgewood, or the city. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Swissvale listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
Explore Nearby Communities
- Edgewood (homes for sale)
- Regent Square (homes for sale)
- Forest Hills (homes for sale)
- Squirrel Hill (homes for sale)
- Homestead (homes for sale)
Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
120+ five-star client reviews.