Overview & Orientation
Forest Hills is a borough in eastern Allegheny County, about 8 miles east of Downtown Pittsburgh along the Lincoln Highway (U.S. Route 30). It covers about 1.6 square miles of hillside neighborhoods and tree-lined streets, with quick access to I-376. Forest Hills is known for its early-1900s neighborhoods, its borough park and recreation center, and its place in science history as the home of the Westinghouse Atom Smasher.
Where Forest Hills Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Type: Borough, incorporated July 29, 1919, covering about 1.56 square miles. It was named after Forest Hills in Queens, New York. See Wikipedia’s Forest Hills entry.
- ZIP code: 15221
- Neighbors: Wilkinsburg and Churchill to the north, Wilkins Township to the east, Chalfant to the southeast, North Braddock to the south-southeast, and Braddock Hills from the south to the northwest
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate and vary by where in Forest Hills you start. Traffic varies by time of day, and the Squirrel Hill Tunnel can back up at rush hour.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Monroeville | 10–15 minutes |
| Regent Square / Squirrel Hill | 10–15 minutes |
| Oakland | 15–25 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 20–30 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 40–50 minutes |
A Brief History
After Fort Pitt was built in 1758, settlers took up land grants in what is now Forest Hills. The land passed through Pitt Township, Wilkins Township, and Braddock Township before the borough formed. The Greensburg Pike, once the Great Stage Road between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, ran through the area, and coal mines such as the Armstrong Mine operated here from the 1860s to about 1905.
Streetcar lines arrived in 1910 and spurred home building. The Freehold Real Estate Company began developing the Ardmore section in 1907 and the Bryn Mawr section in 1910. Residents incorporated Forest Hills as a borough on July 29, 1919, partly to better manage the Lincoln Highway through town. In 1923, Westinghouse opened a radio facility here to experiment with long-distance shortwave transmissions. From 1937 to 1958, the borough was home to the Westinghouse Atom Smasher, a five-million-volt particle accelerator later named a historic landmark. Read the borough’s history page for more.
Notable Landmarks
- Forest Hills Borough Park: The borough’s main park, at Ardmore Boulevard and Braddock Road
- Westinghouse Atom Smasher site: The pear-shaped accelerator was designated a historic landmark in 2010 and torn down in 2015
- Ardmore Boulevard (Lincoln Highway): The borough’s main road and commercial corridor
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Forest Hills grew in stages. The Ardmore and Bryn Mawr sections date from 1907 and 1910, and the borough kept growing through the mid-20th century, from about 850 residents in 1919 to more than 6,800. As a result, you will find early-1900s homes alongside mid-century neighborhoods, many on hilly, tree-lined streets with sidewalks. Older homes may have original features, so a careful inspection is worth the time.
Types of Homes
- Single-family homes (the majority)
- Duplexes and townhomes
- Apartments and condominiums
Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Forest Hills.
Schools
Woodland Hills School District
Forest Hills is served by the Woodland Hills School District, which covers 12 municipalities, including Forest Hills, Churchill, Edgewood, Swissvale, and Wilkins Township. Woodland Hills High School, in Churchill, serves grades 9–12. Elementary and middle school assignment depends on address. Confirm with the district, and see the district overview for background.
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- CCAC Boyce Campus (Monroeville)
- Chatham University (Squirrel Hill)
- 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
- Ardmore Boulevard (U.S. Route 30 / Lincoln Highway): The main artery, running west toward I-376 and east toward East Pittsburgh and North Versailles
- Greensburg Pike: The historic stage road and a second main route, home to the borough building
- I-376 (Parkway East): Exit 78 connects to U.S. 30 just west of the borough, with access west to Pittsburgh and east to Monroeville
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) provides bus service in the area, and the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway has stations in nearby Wilkinsburg and Swissvale. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
Forest Hills has sidewalks on many streets, and some errands can be done on foot, especially near Ardmore Boulevard. The hills mean many trips are still easier by car. See Walk Score for Forest Hills, PA. The borough park has exercise trails.
Things to Do
Forest Hills Borough Park
Forest Hills Borough Park, at Ardmore Boulevard and Braddock Road, has a recreation center with a lodge, swimming pool, and tennis courts, plus two large rentable shelters, a basketball court, a playground, a softball field, and exercise trails. Pool memberships, passes, and classes are handled through the borough’s recreation portal.
More Borough Parks
- Bright Park
- The Forest Hills Dog Park
- Forest Woodland Park
- Koch Park
- Ryan Glen Park
- Westinghouse Recreation Center Park and Lodge
For shelter rentals, call the borough at (412) 351-7330. Larger parks are nearby too: Boyce Park in Plum and Monroeville, and Frick Park in Pittsburgh’s East End.
Shopping & Dining
Ardmore Boulevard has local shops, restaurants, and services. Larger retail is a short drive away in Monroeville, at Edgewood Towne Centre, and in Regent Square and Squirrel Hill.
Library
The C.C. Mellor Library has served Forest Hills, Edgewood, Churchill, Wilkins Township, and Braddock Hills since 1914. Its main branch is at 1 Pennwood Avenue, Edgewood, (412) 731-0909, and it also operates a Forest Hills location. See its library listing for hours.
Local Services & Resources
Forest Hills Borough Building
4400 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Phone: (412) 351-7330
Hours: Monday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; closed Tuesday
Website: foresthillspa.gov
Borough Council: Agenda-setting meetings on the first Tuesday and business meetings on the third Wednesday of each month, both at 7 p.m. at the borough building. Recordings are posted to the borough’s YouTube channel. See the council page.
Trash & Recycling
Trash is collected each week on Thursday or Friday, and recycling is collected every other week on the same days. See the borough’s FAQ page or call (412) 351-7330 for your schedule.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police (non-emergency): Forest Hills Police, (412) 473-3056, for parking, ordinance, and other non-emergency issues
Hospitals Nearby
- AHN Forbes Hospital and UPMC East (Monroeville)
- UPMC Shadyside and UPMC Presbyterian, a short drive west
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, deck, fence, or pool? Building and zoning permit forms are available through the borough office at (412) 351-7330 and on the borough website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Forest Hills, PA?
In eastern Allegheny County, about 8 miles east of Downtown Pittsburgh along U.S. Route 30, between Wilkinsburg, Churchill, and Braddock Hills.
How did Forest Hills get its name?
It was named after Forest Hills in Queens, New York. The borough was incorporated in 1919.
What school district serves Forest Hills?
The Woodland Hills School District. Woodland Hills High School is in neighboring Churchill.
What was the Westinghouse Atom Smasher?
A five-million-volt Van de Graaff particle accelerator that operated in Forest Hills from 1937 to 1958. It was named a historic landmark in 2010 and torn down in 2015.
Does Forest Hills have a community pool?
Yes. The borough’s recreation center has a swimming pool. Memberships, passes, and classes are available through the borough’s recreation portal.
When is trash collected in Forest Hills?
Trash is picked up weekly on Thursday or Friday, and recycling every other week on the same days.
How long is the drive from Forest Hills to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 20 to 30 minutes by I-376. Traffic varies by time of day, especially near the Squirrel Hill Tunnel.
When does Forest Hills Borough Council meet?
Agenda meetings are on the first Tuesday and business meetings on the third Wednesday of each month, at 7 p.m. at 4400 Greensburg Pike.
Thinking About a Move to Forest Hills?
Whether you are buying in Forest Hills or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Forest Hills 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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