Overview & Orientation
Mars is a small borough in southern Butler County, about 20 miles north of Downtown Pittsburgh. It covers less than half a square mile and is surrounded on all sides by Adams Township. Mars is known for its space-themed town square, including a 3,000-pound flying saucer, the Mars Applefest each October, and the Mars Area School District.
Where Mars Is
- County: Butler County
- Municipality type: Borough, incorporated March 6, 1895, with a mayor and borough council
- Size: About 0.47 square miles
- ZIP code: 16046. Here is why that matters: the “Mars, PA 16046” mailing address is also used across much of Adams Township and parts of nearby townships. A Mars mailing address does not always mean the home is inside Mars Borough.
- Bordering community: Adams Township, on every side. Cranberry Township, Seven Fields, Valencia, and Middlesex Township are a short drive away.
A Proposed Merger with Adams Township
Mars Borough Council and the Adams Township Board of Supervisors have both approved a joint merger agreement. Voters in both communities will decide the question on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
- The merger moves forward only if a majority of voters in each community approves it.
- If approved, Mars would merge into Adams Township, and the combined township would be renamed Mars Township.
- The proposed effective date is January 1, 2028.
For the agreement, meeting records, and resident questions, see the Adams Township merger information page and Butler Eagle coverage. We will update this page after the vote.
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Cranberry Township | 10–15 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 30–40 minutes |
| Oakland | 35–45 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 35–45 minutes |
| Butler | 25–30 minutes |
A Brief History
Farmers settled the area in the 1790s. In 1873, Samuel Parks built a gristmill along Breakneck Creek and opened a post office called Overbrook.
The Pittsburgh, New Castle and Lake Erie Railroad built a station here in 1877. The railroad already had a stop named Overbrook, so in 1882 the town was renamed Mars. Nobody knows exactly why. One story credits Mrs. Parks, who studied astronomy. Another says it was shortened from the name of Samuel Marshall, who helped establish the post office.
An oil discovery in 1885 brought drilling, hotels, and new businesses. Mars Bank opened in 1900 and still operates today. The Navy later named a combat stores ship, the USS Mars, after the borough.
Notable Landmarks
- The Mars Flying Saucer: Built by local business owners in the early 1990s from two oil tanks. It sits in a small parklet at Pittsburgh Street and Grand Avenue, next to a bell from the USS Mars and a peace pole.
- Mars Town Square: 145 Grand Avenue, home of Applefest and other community events
- Mars Railroad Station: One of the last remaining Pittsburgh & Western Railroad depots, on Brickyard Road just outside the borough line, marked with a historical sign
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Mars grew around its railroad station and the 1885 oil boom. That means most of the borough’s housing sits on a compact street grid within a few blocks of Grand Avenue and the town square.
- In-town homes: Mostly older single-family homes on smaller village lots, a few blocks from Grand Avenue
- Newer construction: Most of the newer subdivisions with a Mars address are in surrounding Adams Township, not inside the borough
- Inventory: Because the borough is less than half a square mile, only a handful of homes are usually for sale at once
Types of Homes
- Single-family homes (the large majority)
Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Mars Borough. For homes with a Mars mailing address in the surrounding area, also browse Cranberry Township and Valencia.
Schools
Public Schools
Mars is served by the Mars Area School District, with its district office at 545 Route 228. The district was formed in 1960 and also serves Valencia Borough, Adams Township, and Middlesex Township, about 46 square miles in all.
- Mars Area Primary Center
- Mars Area Elementary School
- Mars Area Centennial School
- Mars Area Middle School
- Mars Area High School
- Mars Area Cyber Academy (online option)
Career and technical programs are offered through the Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School.
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- Butler County Community College (Butler, with a center in Cranberry Township)
- La Roche University (McCandless)
- Slippery Rock University (Slippery Rock)
- 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
- PA Route 228: The main east–west road. It bypasses downtown Mars and runs west to Seven Fields, Cranberry Township, and I-79.
- I-79: Reached at Exit 78 in Cranberry Township, connecting south to Pittsburgh and north toward Erie
- Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76): The Cranberry interchange is nearby, off Route 19
- Mars-Evans City Road and Mars-Valencia Road: Local connectors north to Evans City and south to Valencia
- PA Route 8: Reached to the east, running south toward Gibsonia and Pittsburgh’s North Hills
Public Transit
Mars is in Butler County, outside Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s regular Allegheny County service area. Most trips are by car. Check Butler Transit Authority for regional and commuter options.
Walkability & Bikeability
See Walk Score for Mars, PA for walking, transit, and bike ratings.
Things to Do
Parks
Mars Borough maintains three parks:
- Clay Avenue Park
- Garfield Avenue Park
- Mars Borough Athletic Complex (Marburger Field): The borough’s main sports facility
For pavilion rentals, call the municipal office at (724) 625-1858. For larger parks, Cranberry Township’s Graham Park and Allegheny County’s North Park are a short drive south and west.
Annual Events
- Mars Applefest (early October): A long-running one-day festival in Mars Town Square, now past 40 years. It brings 200+ vendors, food, crafts, and music. Admission and parking are free. The Rich-Mar Rotary Club organizes it.
- Mars New Year: A two-day space-science festival held with partners including NASA’s Solar System Ambassadors. It has featured speakers, a robotics village, and a drone show. The next one is scheduled for June 11–12, 2027.
- July 4th Celebration
- Light Up Mars: The borough’s holiday lighting event
For dates, see the borough events page or follow the Borough of Mars on Facebook.
Dining & Shopping
- Grand Avenue: Mars’s main street, with local shops and eateries. Many storefronts keep the space theme with alien window displays.
- Mars Brew House: A coffee shop next to the flying saucer
- Route 228 and Cranberry Township: Grocery stores, national retailers, and chain restaurants are a short drive west
Library
The Mars Area Public Library is at 107 Grand Avenue, (724) 625-9048. It serves Mars, Adams Township, Middlesex Township, and Valencia, and is part of the Butler County Federated Library System. The library was founded in the 1950s by the Women’s Club of Mars.
Local Services & Resources
Mars Borough Municipal Office
301 Arch Street (1st Floor), Mars, PA 16046
Phone: (724) 625-1858
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed noon–1 p.m.). Closed Fridays.
Website: marsborough.com
Council meetings: First Monday of the month at 7 p.m., with agenda meetings on the third Monday. See the council meetings page.
Utilities
- Water: Mars Borough Water Department. Mars runs its own municipal water system.
- Sewer: Breakneck Creek Regional Authority
- Trash: Vogel Disposal
- Gas and electric: Peoples Natural Gas and Penn Power
- Leaves and snow: Borough Public Works handles fall leaf pickup and plows and salts borough roads. See the leaf pickup schedule.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Mars Borough Police: Police department page. Non-emergency: (724) 625-1858.
- Fire: Adams Area Fire District, formed in 2007 when the Mars and Valencia volunteer fire companies combined
- EMS: Quality EMS, (724) 625-6400
Hospitals Nearby
- UPMC Passavant–Cranberry (Cranberry Township)
- UPMC Passavant–McCandless (McCandless)
- Butler Memorial Hospital (Butler)
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, fence, or excavation? Submit permit applications directly to the borough office. The borough’s Code Enforcement page lists the steps and applications. Zoning review can take up to 10 days, and permits are valid for one year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Mars, PA in?
Mars is in Butler County, about 20 miles north of Downtown Pittsburgh.
Is a Mars, PA mailing address always inside Mars Borough?
No. The 16046 ZIP code covers Mars Borough and much of surrounding Adams Township, plus parts of nearby townships. Check the municipality on the deed or county records to know which one a home is in.
Are Mars and Adams Township merging?
It is on the ballot. Voters in both communities will decide on November 3, 2026. If both approve, Mars would merge into Adams Township, the combined township would be renamed Mars Township, and the change would take effect January 1, 2028.
What school district serves Mars?
The Mars Area School District. It serves Mars and Valencia boroughs and Adams and Middlesex Townships, with a primary center, elementary school, Centennial School, middle school, and high school.
How long is the drive from Mars to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 30 to 40 minutes, usually by Route 228 and I-79. Traffic varies by time of day.
Why is there a flying saucer in Mars, PA?
Local business owners built it in the early 1990s from two oil tanks as a nod to the town’s name. It sits at Pittsburgh Street and Grand Avenue, next to a bell from the USS Mars.
How did Mars, PA get its name?
The town was renamed Mars in 1882 because the railroad already had a stop called Overbrook. The exact source is uncertain. One account credits Mrs. Samuel Parks, a student of astronomy. Another says it came from the name of Samuel Marshall, who helped establish the post office.
When is Mars Applefest?
Applefest is held on a Saturday in early October in Mars Town Square at 145 Grand Avenue. Admission and parking are free.
Where is the Mars borough office?
The municipal office is at 301 Arch Street, Mars, PA 16046. The phone number is (724) 625-1858.
Thinking About a Move to Mars?
Whether you are buying in Mars or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including how the merger vote could affect a home you’re considering. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Mars Borough listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
Explore Nearby Communities
- Cranberry Township (homes for sale)
- Seven Fields (homes for sale)
- Valencia (homes for sale)
- Pine Township (homes for sale)
- Hampton (homes for sale)
- Saxonburg (homes for sale)
Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
120+ five-star client reviews.