Overview & Orientation
Ben Avon is a small borough in Allegheny County on a hillside above the Ohio River, about 7 miles northwest of Downtown Pittsburgh. At less than half a square mile, it is one of the smallest boroughs in the county, with mostly residential streets climbing from Ohio River Boulevard. Ben Avon grew as an early railroad suburb, and it is part of the Avonworth School District.
Where Ben Avon Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Type: Borough, incorporated in January 1892 from part of Kilbuck Township, covering about 0.46 square miles. See Wikipedia’s Ben Avon entry.
- ZIP code: 15202, with Pittsburgh mailing addresses
- Neighbors: Kilbuck Township (north), Avalon (east), Emsworth (west), and Neville Township across the Ohio River
Ben Avon or Ben Avon Heights?
Ben Avon Heights is a separate borough just uphill, incorporated in 1913. Both use the 15202 ZIP code, which is also shared with several other North Boroughs communities. Each has its own government, services, and taxes:
| Municipality | School District |
|---|---|
| Ben Avon | Avonworth |
| Ben Avon Heights | Avonworth |
| Emsworth | Avonworth |
| Kilbuck Township | Avonworth |
| Avalon | Northgate |
| Bellevue | Northgate |
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 Ohio River Boulevard.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Bellevue / Avalon business districts | 5 minutes |
| Sewickley | 10–15 minutes |
| McKnight Road shopping (Ross) | 15 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 15–20 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 20–25 minutes |
A Brief History
Residents of Kilbuck Township living on the hill above the Ohio River formed Ben Avon in January 1892. The founders chose a Scottish name meaning roughly “hill by the water.” The community grew as an early railroad suburb, linked to Downtown Pittsburgh by train, with a stop at nearby Laurel Run. The Arthurs-Johnson House, one of the first homes here, was built at a bend in the river as a summer retreat from the city.
Construction of Ohio River Boulevard began in 1928 and changed the borough’s layout, bringing commercial uses along the road. The Laurel Run station closed by 1950, ending the commuter rail era. See the historical background on the area’s founding and the Allegheny County PAGenWeb history.
Notable Landmarks
- Avon Park: The borough’s park, with a playground, courts, and a nature trail
- Arthurs-Johnson House: One of Ben Avon’s earliest homes, built at a bend in the Ohio River
- Ohio River Boulevard: The main road along the riverfront
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Ben Avon is almost entirely residential. Many homes date from the late 1800s through the early 1900s, built during the railroad-suburb era, on tree-lined streets that climb the hillside above the river. A mix of architectural styles is found here, many with front porches and mature trees. Sidewalks connect most streets.
Types of Homes
- Single-family homes (the majority)
- Duplexes and two-unit homes
- A limited number of apartments, mainly near Ohio River Boulevard
Because Ben Avon is so small, only a few homes are usually on the market at once, so it can help to watch nearby Avalon, Bellevue, and Emsworth too. Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Ben Avon.
Schools
Avonworth School District
Ben Avon is served by the Avonworth School District, which also covers Ben Avon Heights, Emsworth, Kilbuck Township, and Ohio Township, about 11 square miles in all. The district office is at 258 Josephs Lane. See the district overview for background.
- Primary (K–2): Avonworth Primary Center
- Elementary (3–6): Avonworth Elementary School
- Middle (7–8): Avonworth Middle School
- High (9–12): Avonworth High School
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- CCAC Allegheny Campus (North Side)
- Robert Morris University (Moon Township)
- La Roche University (McCandless)
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
- Ohio River Boulevard (PA Route 65): Runs along the river, east to the North Side and Downtown and west toward Sewickley
- Interstate 279 and I-79: A short drive away, connecting north to the suburbs and south to the airport area
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) runs bus service along Ohio River Boulevard to Downtown. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
Ben Avon’s residential streets have sidewalks, and Avon Park is within walking distance for much of the borough. Most errands are easier by car, or a short trip to Avalon or Bellevue. See Walk Score for Ben Avon, PA.
Things to Do
Parks
Avon Park
Between Perrysville Avenue and Walnut Street, off Perrysville Road. New playground equipment, basketball and tennis courts, and a walking trail through the woods. Open dawn to dusk. See the borough’s parks page.
Avonworth Community Park
498 Camp Horne Road, (412) 766-1700. A larger regional park with a swimming pool and slide, tennis and basketball courts, a picnic pavilion, an indoor party room, a castle-style playground, and baseball and softball fields.
Library
A bookmobile makes regular stops in Ben Avon; check the borough calendar for times. The nearby Avalon Public Library is at 317 South Home Avenue, (412) 921-1123. Allegheny County Library Association cards work at member libraries across the county.
Shopping & Dining
Shops, restaurants, and services sit along Ohio River Boulevard, and the walkable business districts of Avalon and Bellevue are a few minutes away. Larger retail is on McKnight Road and in Robinson.
Local Services & Resources
Ben Avon Municipal Building
7101 Church Avenue, Ben Avon, PA 15202
Phone: (412) 766-7704
Website: benavon.com
Borough Council: Third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m., in person and online. See the council meeting schedule.
Trash & Recycling
Trash and recycling are collected on Wednesdays. Check the borough’s events calendar for holiday changes, or call the borough office.
Emergency Services
Ben Avon shares services with its neighbors. From the borough’s emergency services page:
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police: Avalon Borough Police Department, non-emergency (412) 761-0353
- Fire: Emsworth Volunteer Fire Company, non-emergency (412) 766-3055
- Ambulance: Northwest EMS, non-emergency (412) 331-2600
Hospitals Nearby
- AHN Allegheny General Hospital (North Side)
- Heritage Valley Sewickley (Sewickley)
- UPMC Passavant (McCandless)
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, deck, fence, or pool? Forms are on the borough website, or call (412) 766-7704 for building and zoning permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Ben Avon in?
Ben Avon is in Allegheny County, about 7 miles northwest of Downtown Pittsburgh on the Ohio River.
Is Ben Avon the same as Ben Avon Heights?
No. Ben Avon Heights is a separate borough just uphill, incorporated in 1913. Both are in the Avonworth School District and use the 15202 ZIP code.
What does “Ben Avon” mean?
It is a Scottish name meaning roughly “hill by the water,” fitting the borough’s hillside above the Ohio River.
What school district serves Ben Avon?
The Avonworth School District, which also serves Ben Avon Heights, Emsworth, Kilbuck Township, and Ohio Township.
Who provides police and fire service in Ben Avon?
Police service comes from Avalon Borough, fire service from the Emsworth Volunteer Fire Company, and ambulance service from Northwest EMS.
When is trash collected in Ben Avon?
On Wednesdays, for both trash and recycling.
When does Ben Avon Borough Council meet?
On the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at 7101 Church Avenue, with an online option.
How long is the drive from Ben Avon to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 15 to 20 minutes by Ohio River Boulevard. Traffic varies by time of day.
Thinking About a Move to Ben Avon?
Whether you are buying in Ben Avon or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including whether a specific 15202 home is in Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, or a neighboring borough. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Ben Avon listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
Explore Nearby Communities
- Avalon (homes for sale)
- Emsworth (homes for sale)
- Bellevue (homes for sale)
- Sewickley (homes for sale)
- Ross Township (homes for sale)
Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
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