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Living in McCandless, PA: A Local Guide

Overview & Orientation

McCandless, officially the Town of McCandless, is a home rule municipality in Allegheny County, in Pittsburgh’s North Hills. It covers about 16.6 square miles. McCandless is known for its share of North Park, the McKnight Road and Perry Highway corridors, La Roche University, and the North Allegheny School District.

Where McCandless Is

  • County: Allegheny County
  • Municipality type: Home rule municipality, known as the Town of McCandless. It was formed in 1851 as Taylor Township and renamed McCandless Township in 1857.
  • Size: About 16.6 square miles. Roughly 1,600 acres of North Park, about 15 percent of the town, lie inside McCandless.
  • ZIP codes: 15237, 15090, 15044, 15101, and 15127. Addresses may read “Pittsburgh” or “Wexford,” even though McCandless is its own municipality.
  • Bordering communities: Pine Township (north), Hampton Township (east), Ross Township (south), and Franklin Park (west)

Typical Drive Times

Times are approximate. Traffic varies by time of day.

DestinationAbout
Downtown Pittsburgh20–30 minutes
Oakland25–35 minutes
Ross Park Mall10–15 minutes
Cranberry Township15–25 minutes
Pittsburgh International Airport35–45 minutes

A Brief History

George Washington and Christopher Gist passed through the area in 1753. The first European settler was James Duff, who bought 400 acres in 1796. The township formed in 1851 as Taylor Township and took its current name in 1857 to honor District Judge Wilson McCandless.

McCandless stayed mostly agricultural through the 1800s. The Harmony Line, a commuter railway that opened in 1908, spurred early development. McKnight Road was built in the mid-1950s and became the main route into the north suburbs. McCandless Crossing, a mixed-use development, was completed in 2016.

Notable Landmarks

  • North Park: Allegheny County’s largest park, opened in 1927 and covering about 3,089 acres across McCandless, Hampton, and Pine. About 1,600 of those acres are in McCandless.
  • La Roche University: A Catholic university founded in 1963 by the Sisters of Divine Providence
  • Community College of Allegheny County North Campus: Opened in McCandless in 1972
  • McCandless Crossing: A mixed-use shopping and dining development completed in 2016

Housing & Real Estate

Housing Stock

  • Development eras: Early growth followed the 1908 Harmony Line railway. Much larger growth followed McKnight Road in the 1950s.
  • Setting: About 15 percent of the town is North Park land, and Pine Creek runs past several town parks.
  • Local rules: Check with Building & Code Enforcement before planning an addition, fence, deck, or other project.

Types of Homes

McCandless housing is spread across many subdivisions and neighborhoods, from older homes to newer construction. The mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums changes with the market.

Prices and availability change daily. That means the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in McCandless.

Schools

Public Schools

McCandless is served by the North Allegheny School District, with offices at 200 Hillvue Lane. The district also serves Marshall Township, Bradford Woods, and Franklin Park.

  • Bradford Woods, Franklin, Hosack, Ingomar, Marshall, McKnight, and Peebles Elementary Schools
  • Carson, Ingomar, and Marshall Middle Schools
  • North Allegheny Intermediate High School (9–10)
  • North Allegheny Senior High School (11–12)

Elementary and middle school assignment depends on address. Confirm with the district.

Nearby Colleges & Universities

  • La Roche University (McCandless)
  • Community College of Allegheny County North Campus (McCandless)
  • 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

  • McKnight Road: Built in the mid-1950s, the main commercial corridor and route south toward Ross, Interstate 279, and Downtown
  • Perry Highway (U.S. Route 19): Runs north through McCandless toward Wexford and Cranberry, and south toward West View
  • Babcock Boulevard: Connects McCandless with North Park and the UPMC Passavant campus

Public Transit

Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) serves McCandless with the 12 McKnight route and weekday peak Flyer routes to Downtown, including the O12 McKnight Flyer. PRT has been redesigning its bus network, so check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.

Walkability & Bikeability

See Walk Score for McCandless, PA for walking, transit, and bike ratings.

Things to Do

Parks & Trails

The town’s Parks & Recreation Department, created in 2023, oversees five town parks and two trails.

Devlin Park
9955 Grubbs Road, next to Town Hall. Two tennis courts, four pickleball courts, basketball, sand volleyball, a lighted baseball field, a playground, a rental pavilion, and a bridge to Pine Creek.

Wall Park
7830 Sloop Road. Three baseball fields, two playgrounds, tennis courts, a basketball and street hockey court, and a rental pavilion.

Vestal Park
Vestal Park Lane. Five baseball fields, a playground, a walking trail, and a concession stand.

Vincentian Park
8059 Peebles Road. Baseball, T-ball, and softball fields, two concession stands, and a playground.

Potter Park
Harmony Road. A 10-acre nature preserve with a 1-acre pond and two walking trails.

Trails
The Brandt Trail runs 0.93 miles between Wall Park and Glen Manor Road. The Northrop Trail follows Pine Creek near Vestal Park.

North Park

  • North Park Lake: A 66-acre lake with a boathouse, kayaking, fishing, and a 5-mile loop trail
  • Golf: An 18-hole public golf course
  • Swimming and skating: A large outdoor swimming pool and an outdoor ice rink
  • Latodami Nature Center: Trails, wetlands, and year-round nature programs
  • Dog park: An off-leash dog park, plus tennis and pickleball courts, playgrounds, and fields

Annual Events

  • McCandless Community Day (September): Held since 2001 on the second Saturday of September at Town Hall, with live music, food trucks, a car cruise, and fireworks
  • Winterfest (December): A holiday event with train rides, crafts, and character visits

See the Town of McCandless website for current dates.

Dining & Shopping

  • McKnight Road: The North Hills’ main shopping corridor, running through McCandless and Ross
  • McCandless Crossing: Shopping and dining in a mixed-use development completed in 2016
  • Perry Highway: Restaurants, shops, and services along Route 19
  • Ross Park Mall: 10 to 15 minutes south in Ross Township

Library

Northland Public Library is at 300 Cumberland Road in McCandless, (412) 366-8100. McCandless participates in Northland, which serves the North Allegheny and North Hills school district communities.

Local Services & Resources

McCandless Town Hall

9955 Grubbs Road, Wexford, PA 15090
Phone: (412) 364-0616
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
Website: townofmccandless.org
Council meetings: Second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. See the town FAQ for more.

Utilities

  • Water and sewer: McCandless Township Sanitary Authority, (412) 366-2700. Confirm the provider for a specific address.
  • Electric: Duquesne Light
  • Trash and recycling: Waste Management, (800) 866-4460. One bulk item can go to the curb each week on your collection day.
  • Holidays: Collection moves one day later when a holiday falls on a workday.

Emergency Services

Hospitals Nearby

Permits & Zoning

Building, zoning, and fire marshal permits go through Building & Code Enforcement at Town Hall, (412) 364-0616, ext. 128, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call before starting an addition, deck, fence, shed, or other project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is McCandless, PA in?

McCandless is in Allegheny County, in Pittsburgh’s North Hills.

Is McCandless the same as Wexford?

No. Wexford is a mailing address used in parts of McCandless and nearby communities. McCandless is its own home rule municipality, the Town of McCandless, with ZIP codes including 15237 and 15090.

What school district serves McCandless?

The North Allegheny School District. It also serves Marshall Township, Bradford Woods, and Franklin Park.

How long is the drive from McCandless to Downtown Pittsburgh?

About 20 to 30 minutes, usually by McKnight Road and Interstate 279. Traffic varies by time of day.

Is North Park in McCandless?

Partly. North Park covers about 3,089 acres across McCandless, Hampton, and Pine, and roughly 1,600 of those acres are in McCandless.

What parks are in McCandless?

The town runs Devlin, Wall, Vestal, Vincentian, and Potter Parks, plus the Brandt and Northrop Trails. North Park adds a lake, golf, a pool, an ice rink, and a nature center.

When is McCandless Community Day?

Community Day is held on the second Saturday of September at Town Hall on Grubbs Road, and has run since 2001.

Who collects trash in McCandless?

Waste Management, (800) 866-4460. Residents can place one bulk item at the curb each week on their collection day.

Where is the McCandless municipal building?

Town Hall is at 9955 Grubbs Road, Wexford, PA 15090. The phone number is (412) 364-0616.

Thinking About a Move to McCandless?

Whether you are buying in McCandless or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current McCandless 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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