Overview & Orientation
Carnegie is a borough in Allegheny County, about 5 miles southwest of Downtown Pittsburgh along Chartiers Creek. It covers about 1.6 square miles, with a walkable downtown along Main Street and quick access to I-79, the Parkway West, and the West Busway. Carnegie is known for its Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, Carnegie Park and its large skatepark, the start of the Panhandle Trail just outside town, and the Carlynton School District.
Where Carnegie Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Type: Borough, incorporated March 1, 1894, covering about 1.6 square miles. See Wikipedia’s Carnegie entry.
- ZIP code: 15106
- Neighbors: Rosslyn Farms (north), Scott Township (east and south), Collier Township (west), and Robinson Township (northwest)
Borough or Mailing Address?
The “Carnegie, PA 15106” mailing address covers much more than the borough. It reaches into several neighboring communities, each with its own services, taxes, and school district:
| Municipality | School District |
|---|---|
| Carnegie Borough | Carlynton |
| Rosslyn Farms | Carlynton |
| Scott Township | Chartiers Valley |
| Collier Township (including Rennerdale) | Chartiers Valley |
| Heidelberg | Chartiers Valley |
| Robinson Township (part) | Montour |
| Green Tree (part) | Keystone Oaks |
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 West.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Bridgeville | 10 minutes |
| Robinson Town Centre area | 10–15 minutes |
| Mt. Lebanon | 15 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 15–25 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 15–20 minutes |
| Southpointe | 20 minutes |
A Brief History
Carnegie was formed on March 1, 1894, when the boroughs of Chartiers and Mansfield, on opposite sides of Chartiers Creek, joined together. The new borough was named for industrialist Andrew Carnegie, who funded its library. The town grew with coal mining, steel mills, and rail lines, and it later added part of Robinson Township.
On September 17, 2004, remnants of Hurricane Ivan sent Chartiers Creek over its banks, flooding much of the downtown. The business district was rebuilt, and Main Street has since added new restaurants and shops. The Almanac’s 20th-anniversary story covers the recovery.
Notable Landmarks
- Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall: A turn-of-the-century library and concert hall on the hill above downtown, home to a restored Civil War veterans’ room
- Main Street: Carnegie’s downtown business district
- Pitcher Park Memorial Skatepark: A concrete skatepark in Carnegie Park, opened in 2008
- Historical Society of Carnegie: Local history exhibits at 1 West Main Street
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Carnegie is compact, with many older homes on a street grid close to Main Street and the creek, and more homes on the hillsides on both sides of the valley. Sidewalks connect many residential streets to the downtown. Housing ranges from early 20th-century frame and brick homes to later mid-century homes on the hills.
Because of the 2004 flood, buyers looking at homes in low-lying areas near Chartiers Creek should check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and ask about flood insurance.
Types of Homes
- Single-family homes (the majority)
- Duplexes and two-unit homes
- Townhomes
- Apartments, including some above storefronts downtown
Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Carnegie.
Schools
Carlynton School District
Carnegie Borough is served by the Carlynton School District, which also covers Crafton and Rosslyn Farms, about 5 square miles in all. The district’s name combines the three communities. The district office is at 435 Kings Highway, Carnegie. See the district overview for background.
- Elementary: Carnegie Elementary and Crafton Elementary
- Junior-Senior High: Carlynton Junior-Senior High School
- Online: Carlynton Cyber Academy
Homes with a Carnegie mailing address outside the borough may be in Chartiers Valley, Montour, or Keystone Oaks. See the table above.
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- Robert Morris University (Moon Township)
- CCAC South Campus (West Mifflin) and CCAC Allegheny Campus (North Side)
- University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, and other city campuses
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
- Interstate 79: Runs along the west side of town, with a Carnegie interchange, connecting south toward Bridgeville and Washington and north toward the I-376 junction
- Interstate 376 (Parkway West): A few minutes north, connecting east to Downtown Pittsburgh and west to Robinson and the airport
- PA Route 50: Runs through Carnegie, connecting toward Heidelberg and Bridgeville to the southwest and Scott Township and the South Hills to the east
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) serves Carnegie. The Carnegie station sits at the southern end of the West Busway, a bus-only roadway to Downtown, with a park-and-ride lot of about 215 spaces. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
Carnegie’s downtown is compact, and many errands near Main Street can be done on foot. Trips beyond the borough are often easier by car or bus. See Walk Score for Carnegie, PA. For biking and walking, the Panhandle Trail begins just west of town.
Things to Do
Parks & Trails
Carnegie Park
Forsythe Road, Carnegie. The borough’s main park, with tennis, basketball, and hockey courts, a playground, a dog park, and four rental shelters, including a historic stone shelter with a fireplace. Rentals open each March. See the borough’s parks page.
Pitcher Park Memorial Skatepark
Forsythe Road and Cook Lane, inside Carnegie Park. About 17,000 square feet of concrete bowls and street features, including a 20-foot full pipe. It is described as the largest concrete skatepark in the Pittsburgh area.
Panhandle Trail
38 Walkers Mill Road, Carnegie (in Collier Township). The trailhead for a rail-trail that runs about 39 miles west into West Virginia. The Allegheny County section is mostly flat and has gravel parking at its entrances. See trail maps and directions.
The borough also has smaller neighborhood parks, including Seventh Avenue Park, Chioda Field, and Irishtown Park.
Library & Music Hall
The Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall is at 300 Beechwood Avenue. Along with books and programs, it hosts concerts and events in its music hall. Its Captain Thomas Espy Post, a Civil War veterans’ meeting room sealed for decades and reopened in 2010, holds about 2,000 artifacts and is open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., per Uncovering PA.
Historical Society of Carnegie
The Historical Society of Carnegie, at 1 West Main Street, has a detailed miniature model of Carnegie’s Main Street from decades past, a military history wing, and a sports exhibit.
Shopping, Dining & Events
Restaurants, coffee shops, galleries, and small shops line Main Street and nearby Broadway. Larger retail is a short drive away in Robinson, Collier, and the South Hills. Check the borough’s monthly calendar for community events.
Local Services & Resources
Carnegie Borough Building
One Veterans Way, Carnegie, PA 15106
Phone: (412) 276-1414
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Website: carnegieborough.com
Borough Council: Work session the first Monday at 6 p.m.; regular meeting the second Monday at 7 p.m.
Trash & Recycling
County Hauling collects trash on Wednesdays. Set it out after 6 p.m. the night before or by 6 a.m. on collection day. Recycling is collected weekly. Collection shifts by a day after weekday holidays. See the borough’s trash page or call (724) 929-7694.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police: Carnegie Police Department, non-emergency (412) 279-6911
- Fire: Carnegie Volunteer Fire and Rescue Bureau, 201 West Main Street
- EMS: Scott Township Emergency Medical Services, with ambulances stationed at the Carnegie fire station
Hospitals Nearby
- St. Clair Hospital (Mt. Lebanon)
- Pittsburgh-area hospitals, a short drive away via I-376
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, deck, fence, or pool? Applications and permit forms are on the borough’s permits and forms page, or call (412) 276-1414.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Carnegie in?
Carnegie is in Allegheny County, about 5 miles southwest of Downtown Pittsburgh.
How did Carnegie get its name?
It was named for Andrew Carnegie when the boroughs of Chartiers and Mansfield joined in 1894. He funded the town’s library, the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall.
What school district serves Carnegie?
The Carlynton School District, which also serves Crafton and Rosslyn Farms. Homes with a Carnegie mailing address outside the borough may be in a different district.
Is there public transit from Carnegie to Downtown Pittsburgh?
Yes. The Carnegie station at the end of the West Busway has a park-and-ride lot, with PRT buses running to Downtown.
Where does the Panhandle Trail start?
The trailhead is at 38 Walkers Mill Road, in Collier Township just west of the borough. The trail runs about 39 miles into West Virginia.
Does Carnegie flood?
Low-lying areas near Chartiers Creek flooded badly during Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Buyers should check FEMA flood maps for any specific property and ask about flood insurance.
When is trash collected in Carnegie?
Wednesdays, with weekly recycling. County Hauling is the borough’s collector.
When does Carnegie Borough Council meet?
Council holds a work session the first Monday of the month at 6 p.m. and its regular meeting the second Monday at 7 p.m.
Thinking About a Move to Carnegie?
Whether you are buying in Carnegie or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including which municipality and school district a specific Carnegie-address home is in. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Carnegie listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
Explore Nearby Communities
- Crafton (homes for sale)
- Bridgeville (homes for sale)
- Robinson Township (homes for sale)
- Mt. Lebanon (homes for sale)
- Canonsburg (homes for sale)
Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
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