Overview & Orientation
Emsworth is a small borough in Allegheny County on the north bank of the Ohio River, about 8 miles northwest of Downtown Pittsburgh. Its streets climb the hillside from Ohio River Boulevard (Route 65), and its riverfront is home to the Emsworth Locks and Dams, the first navigation project on the Ohio River below Pittsburgh. Emsworth is part of the Avonworth School District and has its own volunteer fire company, two borough parks, and a borough hall on Center Avenue.
Where Emsworth Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Type: Borough, created July 14, 1896. It covers about 0.7 square miles, part of it river. See Wikipedia’s Emsworth entry.
- ZIP code: 15202 (mailing addresses read “Pittsburgh, PA”)
- Neighbors: Kilbuck Township on the land side, Ben Avon to the southeast, and Neville Township across the Ohio River
Borough or Mailing Address?
Emsworth homes use a “Pittsburgh, PA 15202” mailing address, which is shared by several nearby municipalities with their own services, taxes, and school districts:
| Municipality | School District |
|---|---|
| Emsworth Borough | Avonworth |
| Ben Avon / Ben Avon Heights | Avonworth |
| Kilbuck Township (part) | Avonworth |
| Avalon / Bellevue | Northgate |
To confirm a property’s municipality and school district, check the deed, the tax bill, or the Allegheny County real estate records.
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate and vary by where you start. Traffic varies by time of day, especially on Ohio River Boulevard.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Avalon / Bellevue business districts | 5–10 minutes |
| Sewickley | 10 minutes |
| McKnight Road shopping (Ross) | 15 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 15–20 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 20–25 minutes |
A Brief History
The land along this stretch of the Ohio River was part of a Revolutionary War–era tract, and the first settler arrived in 1802. An early stone home stood on what is now the athletic field along Ohio River Boulevard, according to the Allegheny County PAGenWeb history. In 1896, the Court of Quarter Sessions created the borough by combining the villages of Clifton and Emsworth, both carved from old Kilbuck Township.
Between 1919 and 1922, the federal government built the first Emsworth locks and dams to hold a navigable pool on the upper Ohio. A movable gated dam followed in 1935–1938, and the project has had several rounds of rehabilitation since. Its history is documented in the Library of Congress Historic American Engineering Record.
Notable Landmarks
- Emsworth Locks and Dams: At Ohio River mile 6.2, with a main dam and a back channel dam on either side of Neville Island. See Emsworth Locks and Dam.
- Ohio River Boulevard: The riverfront road through the borough
- Marmo Park and Mayernik Field: Borough parks on Huntington Avenue
- Emsworth Volunteer Fire Company: The borough’s fire company
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Emsworth’s homes sit on hillside streets that rise from Ohio River Boulevard, some with views toward the river. Much of the housing dates from the late 1800s through the mid-1900s, with frame and brick single-family homes on modest lots, along with some duplexes and small apartment buildings. A few newer homes are mixed in.
Types of Homes
- Single-family homes (the majority)
- Duplexes and two-unit homes
- Small apartment buildings, mainly near Ohio River Boulevard
Emsworth is small, so only a handful of homes are usually on the market at once. See current homes for sale in Emsworth.
Schools
Avonworth School District
Emsworth is served by the Avonworth School District, which also covers Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, Kilbuck Township, and Ohio Township. The district office is at 258 Josephs Lane. See the district overview for background.
- Primary (K–2): Avonworth Primary Center
- Elementary (3–6): Avonworth Elementary School
- Middle (7–8): Avonworth Middle School
- High (9–12): Avonworth High School
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- CCAC Allegheny Campus (North Side)
- Robert Morris University (Moon Township)
- La Roche University (McCandless)
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
- Ohio River Boulevard (PA Route 65): Runs along the river, east to the North Side and Downtown and west toward Sewickley
- I-79: Reached by crossing to Neville Island or heading north through Kilbuck and Ohio Townships
- Camp Horne Road: Connects the riverfront area to Ohio Township and the McKnight Road corridor
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) runs bus service along Ohio River Boulevard toward Downtown. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
Some errands along Ohio River Boulevard can be done on foot, but the hillside streets are steep, and most trips are easier by car. See Walk Score for Emsworth, PA.
Things to Do
Parks & Recreation
The borough lists these parks on its Parks & Recreation page:
Marmo Park
399 Huntington Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202
A borough park with a pavilion available for seasonal rentals.
Mayernik Field
499 Huntington Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202
A lighted ballfield.
Avonworth Community Park
498 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
A shared community park a short drive away, with five baseball diamonds, a large playground, a basketball court, hiking trails along a creek, a rentable community center, and a summer pool with a slide and diving board.
On the River
The Emsworth Locks and Dams are a working navigation project, with a 600-foot main lock for barge traffic and a smaller auxiliary lock. Watching barges pass through the locks is part of everyday life along this stretch of the Ohio. Boaters heading up or down the river pass through the locks as well.
Shopping & Dining
A few shops and services sit along Ohio River Boulevard. The walkable business districts of Avalon, Bellevue, and Sewickley are a short drive away, and larger retail is on McKnight Road and in Robinson.
Library
Emsworth does not have its own library. The nearby Avalon Public Library is at 317 South Home Avenue, (412) 921-1123. Allegheny County Library Association cards work at member libraries across the county.
Local Services & Resources
Emsworth Borough Hall
171 Center Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202
Phone: (412) 761-1161
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Website: emsworthborough.com
Borough Council: Meets the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Borough Hall. See the government page for officials and minutes.
The borough tax collector handles Emsworth Borough and Avonworth School District real estate taxes, with office hours on Wednesdays at Borough Hall. Sewage bills are handled by PA Municipal Service Co., (412) 828-0101.
Trash & Recycling
The borough arranges trash and recycling collection. Call Borough Hall at (412) 761-1161 for the current hauler, collection day, and rules for bulk items and remodeling debris.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police: Ohio Township Police Department
- Fire: Emsworth Volunteer Fire Company
- Ambulance: See Allegheny County’s EMS agencies by municipality
The borough’s fire and emergency services page has more on the fire company and the fire marshal’s special needs resident registry.
Hospitals Nearby
- AHN Allegheny General Hospital (North Side)
- UPMC Passavant (McCandless)
- Heritage Valley Sewickley (Sewickley)
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, deck, fence, or pool? Contact Borough Hall at (412) 761-1161 for building and zoning permits. The borough posts its zoning map and ordinances online, and the Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board meet at Borough Hall at 7 p.m. as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Emsworth in?
Emsworth is in Allegheny County, on the Ohio River about 8 miles northwest of Downtown Pittsburgh.
What is Emsworth’s mailing address?
Emsworth homes use “Pittsburgh, PA 15202.” That ZIP code also covers Ben Avon, Avalon, Bellevue, and other nearby communities.
What school district serves Emsworth?
The Avonworth School District, which also serves Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, Kilbuck Township, and Ohio Township.
When were the Emsworth Locks and Dams built?
The first locks and fixed dams were built from 1919 to 1922, and a gated dam was added from 1935 to 1938.
Who provides police service in Emsworth?
The Ohio Township Police Department. Fire service comes from the Emsworth Volunteer Fire Company.
When does Emsworth Borough Council meet?
The second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Borough Hall, 171 Center Avenue.
Are there parks in Emsworth?
Yes. Marmo Park and Mayernik Field are on Huntington Avenue, and Avonworth Community Park on Camp Horne Road is a short drive away.
How long is the drive from Emsworth to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 15 to 20 minutes by Ohio River Boulevard. Traffic varies by time of day.
Thinking About a Move to Emsworth?
Whether you are buying in Emsworth or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including which municipality a specific 15202 home is in. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Emsworth listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
Explore Nearby Communities
- Ben Avon (homes for sale)
- Avalon (homes for sale)
- Bellevue (homes for sale)
- Sewickley (homes for sale)
- Ross Township (homes for sale)
Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
120+ five-star client reviews.