Overview & Orientation
Coraopolis is a borough in Allegheny County on the south bank of the Ohio River, west of Pittsburgh and east of Pittsburgh International Airport. It covers about 1.5 square miles. Coraopolis is known for its 1896 train station, now being restored as a community center, its central business district, its connection to the Montour Trail, and the Cornell School District.
Where Coraopolis Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Municipality type: Borough, incorporated on June 7, 1886
- Size: About 1.5 square miles
- ZIP code: 15108, which Coraopolis shares with Moon Township and Kennedy Township
- Bordering communities: Moon Township (south and west), Robinson Township (southeast), and Neville Island (northeast, by the Coraopolis Bridge). Sewickley, Glen Osborne, and Haysville sit across the Ohio River.
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 15–20 minutes |
| Robinson Town Centre | 15–20 minutes |
| Cranberry Township | 20–30 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 25–35 minutes |
| Oakland | 30–40 minutes |
A Brief History
Capt. Robert Vance, a veteran of the Braddock expedition, was the first permanent settler and built a fort known as Vance Fort. The area was settled around 1773 and was once called Middletown, with a post office named Vancefort. It took the name Coraopolis in 1886 to avoid confusion with other Pennsylvania towns named Middletown. See Coraopolis history.
The Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad arrived in 1877. Its Montour Railroad subsidiary hauled coal until the 1980s, and that right-of-way is now part of the Montour Trail. In 1892, Coraopolis gained what was described as the first high-speed electric street railway in the country, and streetcars ran until 1955.
Notable Landmarks
- Coraopolis Station: A Richardsonian Romanesque station built in 1896 for the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad by Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge. Exterior restoration was completed in December 2024, and the building is being restored as a community and cultural arts center.
- Central business district: The borough’s downtown shopping and dining area
- Montour Junction Athletic Complex: Shared by Coraopolis, Robinson, and Moon Townships
- Municipal complex: The borough building on Fourth Avenue, completed in 2017
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
- Railroad-era town: Coraopolis grew after the railroad arrived in 1877 and the streetcar in 1892, so much of its housing sits on an older street grid near the business district.
- Riverfront location: The borough lies along the Ohio River. Check flood zone status for properties near the water.
- Zoning: The borough’s zoning map is online.
Types of Homes
Much of Coraopolis’s housing is older homes on town lots close to the business district. Newer subdivisions are more common in neighboring Moon and Robinson Townships.
Prices and availability change daily. That means the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Coraopolis.
Schools
Public Schools
Coraopolis is served by the Cornell School District, formed in 1971 when Coraopolis merged with Neville Township. Both schools share the Cornell Educational Center campus at 1099 Maple Street.
- Cornell Elementary School (K–6)
- Cornell High School (7–12)
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- Robert Morris University (Moon Township)
- Community College of Allegheny County Allegheny Campus (North Side)
- University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and other Oakland 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
- Fourth Avenue: Home to the borough building and municipal complex
- Coraopolis Bridge: Connects the borough with Neville Island
- Interstate 376 (Parkway West): Reached through neighboring Moon and Robinson Townships, toward Downtown and the airport
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) buses serve Coraopolis. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
See Walk Score for Coraopolis, PA for walking, transit, and bike ratings. The Montour Trail connects to Coraopolis and runs south and east around Pittsburgh.
Things to Do
Parks & Trails
Montour Trail
The 63-mile rail-trail begins at Mile 0 in neighboring Moon Township, with a branch into Coraopolis and trail parking at Coraopolis Road (Route 51).
Montour Junction Athletic Complex
Athletic fields shared with Robinson and Moon Townships
Recreation
- Coraopolis Station: A planned community and cultural arts center in the restored 1896 station
- RMU Island Sports Center: Public ice rinks, an indoor golf range, and mini-golf on nearby Neville Island
- Moon Park and Robin Hill Park: Township parks a short drive away in Moon
Annual Events
- Borough events: Community events are scheduled through the borough, which takes special event applications. Check the borough website for current dates.
Dining & Shopping
- Downtown Coraopolis: Restaurants, shops, and services in the business district
- Robinson Township: Robinson Town Centre, The Mall at Robinson, and Settlers Ridge, 15 to 20 minutes away
- Sewickley: A village business district across the Ohio River
Library
The Coraopolis Memorial Library is at 601 School Street, (412) 264-3502.
Local Services & Resources
Coraopolis Borough Building
1301 Fourth Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108
Phone: (412) 264-3002
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Website: coraopolispa.com
Council meetings: Workshop meetings on the first Wednesday and regular voting meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, both at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. See meetings.
Utilities
- Water and sewer: The Coraopolis Water and Sewer Authority, at the borough building, (412) 264-3009. The authority meets the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.
- Trash: See the borough’s garbage schedule and holiday schedule.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Coraopolis Police: Non-emergency: (412) 473-3056
- Fire: Coraopolis Volunteer Fire Department
Hospitals Nearby
- Heritage Valley Sewickley (Sewickley)
- Heritage Valley Kennedy (Kennedy Township)
Permits & Zoning
Permit applications and forms are on the borough’s permits page. Call the borough office at (412) 264-3002 before starting a renovation, fence, deck, or addition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Coraopolis, PA in?
Coraopolis is in Allegheny County, on the south bank of the Ohio River west of Pittsburgh.
Is Coraopolis the same as Moon Township?
No. Coraopolis is a separate borough. It shares ZIP code 15108 with Moon Township and Kennedy Township, so many Moon addresses also say Coraopolis.
What school district serves Coraopolis?
The Cornell School District, which also serves Neville Township. Cornell Elementary and Cornell High School share one campus.
How long is the drive from Coraopolis to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 25 to 35 minutes. Traffic varies by time of day.
How close is Coraopolis to the airport?
Pittsburgh International Airport is about 15 to 20 minutes away.
What is the Coraopolis train station?
A Richardsonian Romanesque station built in 1896 for the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad. Its exterior was restored in 2024, and it is being turned into a community and cultural arts center.
Is the Montour Trail in Coraopolis?
Yes. The Montour Trail begins at Mile 0 in neighboring Moon Township and has a branch into Coraopolis.
Who provides water and sewer in Coraopolis?
The Coraopolis Water and Sewer Authority, at the borough building, (412) 264-3009.
Where is the Coraopolis borough building?
The borough building is at 1301 Fourth Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108. The phone number is (412) 264-3002.
Thinking About a Move to Coraopolis?
Whether you are buying in Coraopolis or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Coraopolis 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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