Overview & Orientation
Homestead is a small borough in Allegheny County on the south bank of the Monongahela River, about 7 miles southeast of Downtown Pittsburgh. It covers about 0.6 square miles, with Eighth Avenue as its historic main street and The Waterfront shopping center on the site of the former Homestead Steel Works. Homestead is known for its steel history, the Bost Building National Historic Landmark, the Great Allegheny Passage trail, and the Steel Valley School District.
Where Homestead Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Type: Borough, chartered in 1880, covering about 0.6 square miles. See Wikipedia’s Homestead entry.
- ZIP code: 15120
- Neighbors: Munhall (east and south), West Homestead (west), and the City of Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill and Swisshelm Park neighborhoods across the river
Homestead, Munhall, or West Homestead?
Homestead, Munhall, and West Homestead are three separate boroughs that share the 15120 ZIP code and the Steel Valley School District. The Waterfront shopping center spans all three. Each borough has its own government, services, and taxes:
| Municipality | School District |
|---|---|
| Homestead | Steel Valley |
| Munhall | Steel Valley |
| West Homestead | Steel Valley |
| Whitaker | West Mifflin Area |
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.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Squirrel Hill (across the Homestead Grays Bridge) | 5–10 minutes |
| Kennywood / West Mifflin | 10 minutes |
| Oakland | 15 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 15–20 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 35–40 minutes |
A Brief History
Settlers farmed the land along the Monongahela beginning in the 1770s. Around 1880, the farmland was subdivided, and a railroad, a glass factory, and an iron mill soon followed. Andrew Carnegie bought the Homestead Steel Works in 1883, and it grew into a major steel plant. The 1892 Homestead Strike at the mill became a landmark event in American labor history.
The steel mill closed in 1986. In 1999, The Waterfront shopping center opened on the former mill site. Today, the borough describes a downtown in renewal, with new shops, services, and restaurants along Eighth Avenue.
Notable Landmarks
- Bost Building: An 1892 brick building at 621–623 East Eighth Avenue, named a National Historic Landmark in 1999 and now home to the Rivers of Steel visitor center and museum
- The Waterfront: A large shopping, dining, and entertainment center on the former steel works site
- Homestead Grays Bridge: Crosses the Monongahela River to Squirrel Hill and Swisshelm Park
- Eighth Avenue: Homestead’s historic main street
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Homestead is compact, with homes on a street grid that climbs the hillside above Eighth Avenue. Much of the housing dates from the late 1800s and early 1900s, built during the steel mill era. Brick and frame row homes, two-unit homes, and single-family homes are common, and sidewalks connect most streets to the business district.
Parts of Homestead sit in the Monongahela River floodplain, so buyers should check any property on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
Types of Homes
- Row homes and townhomes
- Duplexes and two-unit homes
- Single-family homes
- Apartments, including some above Eighth Avenue storefronts and newer units near The Waterfront
Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Homestead.
Schools
Steel Valley School District
Homestead is served by the Steel Valley School District, which also covers Munhall and West Homestead, about 4 square miles in all. The district office is at 220 East Oliver Road in Munhall. See the district overview for background.
- Elementary: Barrett Elementary and Park Elementary, being replaced by a new consolidated Steel Valley Elementary School
- Middle: Steel Valley Middle School
- High (9–12): Steel Valley Senior High School, 3113 Main Street, Munhall
The new elementary school was planned to open in 2026. See the district’s groundbreaking announcement and check with the district for current building and grade assignments.
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- CCAC South Campus (West Mifflin)
- University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Carlow University, and Chatham University, about 15 minutes away
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 837: Runs through the borough along the river, west toward Pittsburgh’s South Side and east toward Duquesne and McKeesport
- Homestead Grays Bridge: Crosses to Squirrel Hill, with quick access to I-376 (Parkway East)
- Eighth Avenue: The main street through downtown Homestead
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) runs bus service through Homestead and The Waterfront, with connections to Downtown and Oakland. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
Homestead’s compact grid makes many errands walkable, with The Waterfront and Eighth Avenue close together. See Walk Score for Homestead, PA. For biking, the Great Allegheny Passage runs along the river through the area, connecting to Pittsburgh and, through the C&O Canal Towpath, all the way to Washington, D.C.
Things to Do
Rivers of Steel at the Bost Building
The Bost Building is the headquarters and visitor center for the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. Its museum has exhibits on the Homestead Steel Works, restored rooms from the 1892 era, and information on regional heritage tours. See Rivers of Steel for hours. Rivers of Steel also offers seasonal tours at the nearby Carrie Blast Furnaces in Rankin and programs at the historic Pump House in Munhall.
The Waterfront
Built on the former steel works site, The Waterfront has stores, restaurants, a movie theater, and entertainment spread across Homestead, Munhall, and West Homestead. A row of preserved mill smokestacks stands near the center as a reminder of the site’s past.
Great Allegheny Passage
The trail runs along the Monongahela near The Waterfront, used for walking, running, and biking toward the South Side and Downtown, or east toward McKeesport and beyond.
Library
The Carnegie Library of Homestead, built in 1898, is at 510 East 10th Avenue in neighboring Munhall, (412) 462-3444. It was the sixth library Andrew Carnegie commissioned and is one of the oldest in continuous use in its original building. The complex also includes a music hall and an athletic club.
Local Services & Resources
Homestead Borough Building
221 East Seventh Avenue, Homestead, PA 15120
Phone: (412) 461-1340
Website: homesteadborough.com
Homestead uses a council-manager government with a seven-member council. Contact the borough for council meeting dates. The Planning and Zoning Commission meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m.
Trash & Recycling
Trash is collected on Mondays on the West Street and west side and on Tuesdays on the east side, with containers out after 6 p.m. the night before. Containers are limited to 40 gallons and 40 pounds. A recycling drop-off is on Seventh Avenue across from the Aldi parking lot. See the borough’s refuse and recycling page for details. Street sweeping runs the third and fourth Thursdays from April through October.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police: Homestead Police Department, non-emergency (412) 461-1340, ext. 120
- Fire: Homestead’s fire department
- EMS: Munhall Area Prehospital Services
Hospitals Nearby
- UPMC Mercy and Oakland hospitals, about 15 minutes away
- UPMC McKeesport (McKeesport)
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, deck, fence, or pool? Forms and permit information are on the borough’s website, or call (412) 461-1340.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Homestead in?
Homestead is in Allegheny County, about 7 miles southeast of Downtown Pittsburgh on the Monongahela River.
Is The Waterfront in Homestead?
Partly. The Waterfront spans Homestead, Munhall, and West Homestead, on the site of the former Homestead Steel Works.
What school district serves Homestead?
The Steel Valley School District, which also serves Munhall and West Homestead.
What is the Bost Building?
An 1892 National Historic Landmark on East Eighth Avenue that now houses the Rivers of Steel visitor center and museum.
Where is the Carnegie Library of Homestead?
At 510 East 10th Avenue, just over the line in Munhall. It opened in 1898.
When is trash collected in Homestead?
On Mondays on the west side and Tuesdays on the east side.
Can you bike from Homestead to Downtown Pittsburgh?
Yes. The Great Allegheny Passage runs along the river near The Waterfront and connects toward the South Side and Downtown.
How long is the drive from Homestead to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 15 to 20 minutes, by Route 837 or across the Homestead Grays Bridge to the Parkway East. Traffic varies by time of day.
Thinking About a Move to Homestead?
Whether you are buying in Homestead or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including whether a specific 15120 home is in Homestead, Munhall, or West Homestead. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Homestead listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
Explore Nearby Communities
- Munhall (homes for sale)
- West Mifflin (homes for sale)
- Squirrel Hill (homes for sale)
- Swissvale (homes for sale)
- Baldwin (homes for sale)
Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
120+ five-star client reviews.