Overview & Orientation
Crafton is a borough in Allegheny County, about 4 miles west of Downtown Pittsburgh along Chartiers Creek. It covers about 1.1 square miles of tree-lined residential streets, with a small business district around Crafton Square and quick access to the West Busway and the Parkway West. Crafton is known for Crafton Park, with its pool, mini-golf course, and summer concerts, its busy calendar of community events, and the Carlynton School District.
Where Crafton Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Type: Borough, incorporated January 8, 1892, covering about 1.1 square miles. See Wikipedia’s Crafton entry.
- ZIP code: 15205, with Pittsburgh mailing addresses
- Neighbors: Ingram (north), the City of Pittsburgh’s Crafton Heights, Westwood, Oakwood, East Carnegie, and Fairywood neighborhoods (northeast, east, south, and northwest), and Thornburg and Rosslyn Farms across Chartiers Creek
Crafton, Crafton Heights, or Just a Pittsburgh Address?
Homes in Crafton use “Pittsburgh, PA 15205” mailing addresses, and that ZIP code is shared with neighboring boroughs and several city neighborhoods. Crafton Heights, despite its name, is part of the City of Pittsburgh, not the borough. Each municipality has its own services, taxes, and school district:
| Municipality | School District |
|---|---|
| Crafton Borough | Carlynton |
| Ingram | Montour |
| Thornburg | Montour |
| City of Pittsburgh (Crafton Heights, Westwood, Oakwood, and nearby) | Pittsburgh Public Schools |
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 |
|---|---|
| Carnegie | 5–10 minutes |
| Robinson Town Centre area | 10–15 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 10–20 minutes |
| Mt. Lebanon | 15 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 20 minutes |
A Brief History
Crafton is named for James S. Craft, a frontier attorney whose land holdings helped fund purchases in the Chartiers Valley. After his death, his son Charles Craft divided the land into lots and filed the plan as “Crafton.” The borough was incorporated on January 8, 1892, and a trolley line connected it to Downtown Pittsburgh starting in 1896, helping it grow as an early streetcar suburb.
Many of Crafton’s streets and buildings date from that era, including Creighton Avenue, platted in 1895, the Campbell Building on Crafton Square from around 1910, and Crafton Elementary School, built in 1913.
Notable Landmarks
- Crafton Park: Home to the borough pool, an 18-hole mini-golf course, a stage and amphitheater, and a community farm
- Crafton Square: The small business district, including the circa-1910 Campbell Building
- Crafton Elementary School: A 1913 school building on Crafton Boulevard
- Crafton Volunteer Fire Hall: At Noble and Bradford Avenues
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Crafton is mostly residential, with many homes built in the late 1800s and early 1900s during its streetcar-suburb years. Brick and frame single-family homes with front porches line many streets, along with duplexes and some apartment buildings near the business district. Sidewalks connect most streets to Crafton Park and Crafton Square.
Types of Homes
- Single-family homes (the majority)
- Duplexes and two-unit homes
- Apartments
Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Crafton.
Schools
Carlynton School District
Crafton is served by the Carlynton School District, which also covers Carnegie 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: Crafton Elementary, 1874 Crafton Boulevard, and Carnegie Elementary
- Junior-Senior High: Carlynton Junior-Senior High School
- Online: Carlynton Cyber Academy
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- Robert Morris University (Moon Township)
- Duquesne University, Point Park University, and Downtown campuses
- CCAC Allegheny Campus (North Side)
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
- I-376 (Parkway West): A few minutes south, connecting east to Downtown and west to Robinson and the airport
- Steuben Street: Runs east toward the West End and Downtown
- Crafton Boulevard and Noblestown Road: Key local connectors
Public Transit
The West Busway, a bus-only roadway to Downtown, has a station serving Crafton and Ingram. Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) also runs local bus routes through the borough. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
Crafton’s sidewalks and compact layout make many trips to Crafton Park, the library, and Crafton Square walkable. See Walk Score for Crafton, PA. The Panhandle Trail begins a short drive south, near Carnegie.
Things to Do
Crafton Park
Crafton Park and Pool
West Steuben Street, Crafton. The park has a seasonal swimming pool, (412) 458-0677, with season passes and daily admission, plus an 18-hole mini-golf course that opens in June and hosts a haunted mini-golf event in October. Summer concerts are held at the park’s stage on Thursday evenings, and a community farm welcomes volunteers on Saturday mornings from May through October. Free compost and wood chips are available behind the amphitheater.
Community Events
Crafton keeps a full calendar. Recent years have included an Arbor Day clean-up in April, a music festival and vendor market in June, Fourth of July fireworks with a free fun run, a fall festival, Haunted Crafton in October, a Celebration of Lights in December, and a holiday house tour. See the borough’s Crafton Courier newsletter for an example of the yearly lineup, and check the borough website for current dates.
Library
The Crafton Public Library is on Bradford Avenue in the community center, (412) 922-6877. It is part of the Allegheny County Library Association, so a card works at member libraries across the county. Visit the library’s website for hours and programs.
Shopping & Dining
Crafton Square and nearby streets have local shops, restaurants, and services. More options are a short drive away in Carnegie, Ingram, and Robinson.
Local Services & Resources
Crafton Borough Office
100 Stotz Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15205
Phone: (412) 921-0752 (ext. 10 for administration, ext. 18 for building permits and zoning, ext. 26 for code enforcement)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Website: craftonborough.com
Borough Council: Second and fourth Thursdays at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at the community center, 140 Bradford Avenue, with a Zoom option.
Trash & Recycling
Trash is collected on Tuesdays, or the next day in weeks with a Monday holiday. Recyclables must be loose in a container marked for recycling, since bagged recycling is not picked up. Public Works offers wood chipping from mid-April to mid-November by service request. The borough’s hauler contract was up for renewal at the end of 2024, so call the borough office for the current hauler and contact numbers.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police: Crafton Police Department. For the police secretary, call (412) 921-0752, ext. 11.
- Fire: Crafton Volunteer Fire Department, at Noble and Bradford Avenues
Hospitals Nearby
- St. Clair Hospital (Mt. Lebanon)
- AHN Allegheny General Hospital (North Side) and UPMC Mercy, about 15 to 20 minutes away
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, deck, fence, or pool? Contact the borough’s building permits and zoning office at (412) 921-0752, ext. 18, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Crafton in?
Crafton is in Allegheny County, about 4 miles west of Downtown Pittsburgh.
Is Crafton the same as Crafton Heights?
No. Crafton is its own borough. Crafton Heights is a neighborhood in the City of Pittsburgh, just northeast of the borough.
What school district serves Crafton?
The Carlynton School District, which also serves Carnegie and Rosslyn Farms. Crafton Elementary is in the borough.
Does Crafton have a public pool?
Yes. The Crafton Park pool on West Steuben Street is open in summer, with season passes and daily admission.
When is trash collected in Crafton?
On Tuesdays, or the next day in weeks with a Monday holiday.
When does Crafton Borough Council meet?
On the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 7 p.m., at the community center on Bradford Avenue or by Zoom.
Is there a busway stop near Crafton?
Yes. The West Busway has a station serving Crafton and Ingram, with bus service to Downtown.
How long is the drive from Crafton to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 10 to 20 minutes, usually by Steuben Street or the Parkway West. Traffic varies by time of day.
Thinking About a Move to Crafton?
Whether you are buying in Crafton or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including whether a specific 15205 home is in Crafton, Ingram, or the city. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Crafton listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
Explore Nearby Communities
- Carnegie (homes for sale)
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Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
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