Overview & Orientation
Bloomfield is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh’s East End, inside the City of Pittsburgh, about 3 miles from Downtown. It covers about 0.7 square miles on a plateau above the Allegheny River. Bloomfield is known for its Liberty Avenue business district with specialty food markets, shops, and restaurants, for the Bloomfield Bridge, and for the annual Little Italy Days street festival.
Where Bloomfield Is
- City and county: City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
- Municipality type: A city neighborhood, not a separate municipality. City services, taxes, and schools come from the City of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Public Schools.
- Size: About 0.7 square miles
- Boundaries: Generally Penn Avenue to the north, the East Busway to the south, 40th Street to the west, and Gross or Graham Street to the east
- Neighbors: Polish Hill, North Oakland, Shadyside, Friendship, and Lawrenceville
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Oakland | 5–10 minutes |
| Lawrenceville and Shadyside | 5 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 10–20 minutes, or by East Busway |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 30–40 minutes |
| Cranberry Township | 30–40 minutes |
A Brief History
Bloomfield’s name is usually traced to the flowers that once covered the high ground here. One account points to George Washington’s journal and its description of “the high ground through a field of many blooms.” The area was annexed to the City of Pittsburgh in 1868. Read more on Bloomfield’s history.
The first Bloomfield Bridge opened in 1914. It was a steel cantilever bridge over the Skunk Hollow ravine and, at the time, the longest and highest bridge in Pittsburgh. It closed in 1978, and the current four-lane bridge opened in 1986, linking Liberty Avenue with Polish Hill and PA Route 380. See the Bloomfield Bridge history.
Notable Landmarks
- Liberty Avenue: The neighborhood’s main street and business district
- Bloomfield Bridge: Connecting Bloomfield to Polish Hill over Skunk Hollow, with a park and public bocce courts nearby
- AHN West Penn Hospital: A major hospital in the neighborhood
- Public stairways: Four city steps connect Bloomfield’s plateau to lower streets
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Bloomfield is compact, at about 0.7 square miles. That means its housing is dense, on streets within a few blocks of Liberty Avenue.
- Attached homes and rowhouses
- Older single-family homes
- Apartments and multi-unit buildings
Here is a practical note for buyers: older city homes often come with updates to plan for. Ask about parking options and city permit history when touring.
Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Bloomfield.
Schools
Public Schools
Bloomfield is served by Pittsburgh Public Schools. Neighborhood school assignment follows the district’s feeder pattern and depends on the exact address. The district also runs magnet programs that accept students citywide. Check the city’s feeder pattern boundaries for a specific address.
Colleges & Universities
- University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University in neighboring Oakland
- Carlow University (Oakland) and Chatham University (Squirrel Hill)
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
- Liberty Avenue: The main street, running west toward Lawrenceville and Downtown and east toward East Liberty
- Penn Avenue: Along the northern edge
- Bloomfield Bridge: Crosses to Polish Hill and PA Route 380
- Baum Boulevard: Toward Oakland and Shadyside
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) runs bus service along Liberty Avenue and nearby streets. The Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway runs along the neighborhood’s southern edge for express trips to Downtown. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
See Walk Score for Bloomfield, Pittsburgh for walking, transit, and bike ratings.
Things to Do
Shopping, Markets & Dining
Liberty Avenue is lined with long-running specialty shops, markets, and restaurants. A sample from VisitPittsburgh and the Urban Redevelopment Authority:
- Bloomfield Groceria: 237 Cedarville Street. Handmade pasta, gnocchi, and Italian meats.
- Merante’s Bloomfield: 4723 Liberty Avenue. Imported housewares and cooking classes.
- Linea Verde Green Market: 4911 Liberty Avenue. Seasonal produce, dairy, and pantry items.
- Bookstores: White Whale Bookstore (4754 Liberty Avenue) and The Big Idea Bookstore & Cafe (4812 Liberty Avenue)
- Best-Made Shoes: 4814 Liberty Avenue, a shoe and orthotics shop in business since 1939
- Restaurants: Including Tessaro’s, Pleasure Bar, and Alexander’s Italian Bistro
Annual Events
- Little Italy Days (August): A multi-day street festival on Liberty Avenue, held every year since 2002, with food vendors and live performers
- Bloomfield Saturday Market: A seasonal market with local produce, cheese, meat, coffee, and prepared foods. In winter it shifts to the first and third Saturdays.
- Bocce under the Bridge: Play at the public courts near the Bloomfield Bridge
Parks & Recreation
A park near the Bloomfield Bridge has bocce courts, playgrounds, and a dek hockey rink. Larger city parks, including Schenley Park in Oakland and Highland Park, are a short drive away. For more places to explore, see this Bloomfield neighborhood guide.
Library
Bloomfield is served by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, with branches in nearby neighborhoods, including Lawrenceville and East Liberty.
Local Services & Resources
City of Pittsburgh Services
As a city neighborhood, Bloomfield gets its services from the City of Pittsburgh. For non-emergency requests, such as missed trash pickup, potholes, or streetlights, contact Pittsburgh 311.
- Trash and recycling: Collected by the city. Check the city website or 311 for your collection day.
- Snow removal and street services: City Department of Public Works, through 311
- Parking: Check city parking rules, including any residential permit parking, for a specific block
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police, fire, and EMS: Provided by the City of Pittsburgh’s Bureau of Police, Bureau of Fire, and Pittsburgh EMS. For non-emergency questions, start with 311.
Hospitals
- AHN West Penn Hospital, in Bloomfield
- UPMC Shadyside, UPMC Presbyterian, and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, all within a short drive
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, deck, or fence? Building and zoning permits in the city go through the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections. Applications are filed online through the city’s OneStopPGH portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bloomfield part of the City of Pittsburgh?
Yes. Bloomfield is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh’s East End. It was annexed to the city in 1868 and gets its services, taxes, and public schools through the City of Pittsburgh.
What school district serves Bloomfield?
Pittsburgh Public Schools. Neighborhood school assignment depends on the exact address. Check the district’s feeder pattern or contact the district.
When is Little Italy Days in Bloomfield?
Little Italy Days is held every August on Liberty Avenue and runs over several days. It has been held every year since 2002.
How far is Bloomfield from Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 3 miles. That is roughly 10 to 20 minutes by car, or an express bus ride on the East Busway. Traffic varies by time of day.
How did Bloomfield get its name?
From the flowers that once bloomed on the high ground here. One account traces it to George Washington’s description of “a field of many blooms.”
What types of homes are in Bloomfield?
A mix of older attached homes, rowhouses, and single-family homes, plus apartments and multi-unit buildings.
Is there a hospital in Bloomfield?
Yes. AHN West Penn Hospital is in Bloomfield.
What does the Bloomfield Bridge connect?
It crosses the Skunk Hollow ravine, linking Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield to Polish Hill and PA Route 380. The current bridge opened in 1986, replacing a 1914 bridge.
Thinking About a Move to Bloomfield?
Whether you are buying in Bloomfield or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including parking and permit questions on specific blocks. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Bloomfield 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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