Overview & Orientation
Munhall is a borough in Allegheny County on the Monongahela River, about 7 miles southeast of Downtown Pittsburgh. It covers about 2.4 square miles, from the riverfront and part of The Waterfront shopping center up to the residential hills above. Munhall is home to the historic Pump House on the Great Allegheny Passage, the Carnegie Library of Homestead, and the Steel Valley School District’s high school.
Where Munhall Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Type: Borough, incorporated June 24, 1901, from part of Mifflin Township, covering about 2.4 square miles. See Wikipedia’s Munhall entry.
- ZIP code: 15120
- Neighbors: Homestead (northwest), West Homestead (west), Whitaker (east), West Mifflin (south and east), and the City of Pittsburgh’s Lincoln Place and New Homestead neighborhoods (southwest). Swisshelm Park, Swissvale, and Rankin are across the river.
Munhall, Homestead, or West Homestead?
Munhall, Homestead, and West Homestead are three separate boroughs that share the 15120 ZIP code and the Steel Valley School District. Several landmarks with “Homestead” in the name, including the Carnegie Library of Homestead and the Homestead Pump House, are actually in Munhall. Each borough has its own government, services, and taxes:
| Municipality | School District |
|---|---|
| Munhall | Steel Valley |
| Homestead | 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 |
|---|---|
| The Waterfront | 5 minutes |
| Kennywood / West Mifflin | 10 minutes |
| Squirrel Hill | 10 minutes |
| Oakland | 15–20 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 15–25 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 35–40 minutes |
A Brief History
Munhall is named for John Munhall, the original owner of the town site. A post office opened here in 1887, and the borough was formed from Mifflin Township on June 24, 1901. Much of Carnegie Steel’s Homestead Works sat within Munhall’s borders, and the mill shaped the borough’s growth for most of the 20th century.
After the mill closed in 1986, the riverfront was redeveloped as The Waterfront shopping center, which spans Munhall, Homestead, and West Homestead. A few preserved brick smokestacks and the restored Pump House remain as reminders of the site’s industrial past.
Notable Landmarks
- Homestead Pump House: An 1891 mill water works building, now run by Rivers of Steel and used as a trailhead
- Carnegie Library of Homestead: A Carnegie-funded library, music hall, and athletic club dating to the 1890s
- The Waterfront: A shopping, dining, and entertainment center on the former steel works site
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Munhall’s homes climb the hills above the river. Older homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s sit closer to the former mill area, while much of the upper borough was built in the early to mid-1900s on suburban-style streets. Brick and frame single-family homes are the most common, along with duplexes, row homes, and apartments.
The borough’s riverfront is in the Monongahela floodplain, so buyers near the river should check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
Types of Homes
- Single-family homes (the majority)
- 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 Munhall.
Schools
Steel Valley School District
Munhall is served by the Steel Valley School District, which also covers Homestead and West Homestead. 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 to 20 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 along the river, west toward Pittsburgh’s South Side and east toward Duquesne and McKeesport
- Homestead Grays Bridge: Crosses the Monongahela to Squirrel Hill, with access to I-376 (Parkway East)
- Main Street and Whitaker Way: Key local connectors through the upper borough
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) runs bus service through Munhall and The Waterfront, with connections to Downtown and Oakland. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
Walkability varies across Munhall’s hills, and many errands are easier by car or a short trip to The Waterfront. See Walk Score for Munhall, PA. For biking and walking, the Great Allegheny Passage runs through the borough along the river, with a trailhead at the Pump House.
Things to Do
Homestead Pump House
Homestead Pump House
880 East Waterfront Drive, Munhall. Built in October 1891 to supply water to the Homestead Works and doubled in size in 1898, the Pump House is now owned and operated by Rivers of Steel, which offers educational programs and group tours. It also serves as a trailhead for the Great Allegheny Passage and the Steel Valley Trail. See the Pump House history, or call Rivers of Steel at (412) 464-4020 to book a tour.
Carnegie Library of Homestead
Carnegie Library of Homestead
510 East 10th Avenue, Munhall, (412) 462-3444. Donated by Andrew Carnegie in the 1890s, the complex includes a public library, a music hall, and an athletic club with memberships and classes. It is part of the Allegheny County Library Association, so a card works at member libraries across the county.
The Waterfront
The Waterfront’s stores, restaurants, and movie theater span Munhall, Homestead, and West Homestead, a few minutes from most of the borough. Nearby, the Bost Building in Homestead houses the Rivers of Steel museum, and Kennywood is a short drive south.
Local Services & Resources
Munhall Borough Building
1900 West Street, Munhall, PA 15120
Phone: (412) 464-7310
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Code Enforcement: (412) 464-7319. Tax Collector: (412) 464-7315. Sewer: (412) 464-7373.
Allegheny County’s profile of Munhall lists borough contacts. Contact the borough office for council meeting dates.
Trash & Recycling
Call the borough office at (412) 464-7310 for your trash and recycling collection days and set-out rules.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police: Munhall Police Department
- Fire: Munhall’s volunteer fire department, 1300 Martha Street, (412) 464-7321
- EMS: Munhall Area Prehospital Services
Hospitals Nearby
- UPMC Mercy and Oakland hospitals, about 15 to 20 minutes away
- UPMC McKeesport (McKeesport)
- AHN Jefferson Hospital (Jefferson Hills)
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, deck, fence, or pool? Contact the borough’s zoning office at (412) 464-7310 or code enforcement at (412) 464-7319.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Munhall in?
Munhall is in Allegheny County, about 7 miles southeast of Downtown Pittsburgh on the Monongahela River.
Is Munhall the same as Homestead?
No. Munhall and Homestead are separate boroughs, but they share the 15120 ZIP code and the Steel Valley School District.
Is the Carnegie Library of Homestead in Munhall?
Yes. Despite its name, the library is at 510 East 10th Avenue in Munhall.
What school district serves Munhall?
The Steel Valley School District, which also serves Homestead and West Homestead. Steel Valley Senior High School is in Munhall.
What is the Pump House?
An 1891 building that once supplied water to the Homestead Works. Rivers of Steel now operates it for programs and tours, and it serves as a Great Allegheny Passage trailhead.
Does the Great Allegheny Passage go through Munhall?
Yes. The trail runs along the river through Munhall, with a trailhead at the Pump House.
Who provides EMS in Munhall?
Munhall Area Prehospital Services. For emergencies, call 911.
How long is the drive from Munhall to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 15 to 25 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 Munhall?
Whether you are buying in Munhall or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including whether a specific 15120 home is in Munhall, Homestead, or West Homestead. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Munhall listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
Explore Nearby Communities
- Homestead (homes for sale)
- West Mifflin (homes for sale)
- Swissvale (homes for sale)
- Squirrel Hill (homes for sale)
- Baldwin (homes for sale)
Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
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