Overview & Orientation
New Kensington is a city in Westmoreland County on the Allegheny River, about 18 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. It covers about 4 square miles of land. New Kensington is known for its aluminum-industry history as an early home of Alcoa, its Fifth Avenue downtown and historic districts, Memorial Park, Penn State New Kensington nearby, and the New Kensington-Arnold School District.
Where New Kensington Is
- County: Westmoreland County
- Municipality type: City. It was incorporated as a borough in 1892 and became a city in 1934.
- Size: About 4.26 square miles, including about 3.95 square miles of land
- ZIP codes: 15068 and 15069
- Neighborhoods: Parnassus, Mount Vernon, Valley Heights, Valley Camp, Pine Manor, and 40 Acres
- Bordering communities: Arnold, which New Kensington surrounds on three sides, Lower Burrell, and Plum in Allegheny County (south). Tarentum and East Deer Township sit across the Allegheny River.
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Mills (Frazer) | 15–20 minutes |
| Monroeville | 25–35 minutes |
| Oakland | 35–45 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 35–45 minutes |
| Cranberry Township | 35–45 minutes |
| Greensburg | 40–50 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 55–65 minutes |
A Brief History
The Burrell Improvement Company named the area “Kensington” in 1890, and “New” was added to avoid postal confusion with Kensington in Philadelphia. The first public land sale was held on June 10, 1891. See New Kensington history.
Also in 1891, the Pittsburgh Reduction Company, later renamed the Aluminum Company of America, moved its operations to New Kensington. See Alcoa history. The works employed nearly 3,300 people by the end of World War I, and the site is now the 70-acre New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park. The C.L. Schmitt Bridge across the Allegheny opened in 1927.
Notable Landmarks
- Downtown Historic District: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998, with 143 contributing buildings from about 1891 to 1947
- Production Works Historic District: The former aluminum works, with 35 industrial buildings, also listed in 1998
- Aluminum Research Laboratories: On Freeport Road, listed on the National Register in 2013
- Aluminum City Terrace: A 250-unit housing development designed by architects Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer, owned by its residents as a co-op since 1948
- Tarentum Bridge and C.L. Schmitt Bridge: The city’s two crossings of the Allegheny River
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
- Historic downtown: The Downtown Historic District includes buildings in Art Deco, Beaux-Arts, and Colonial Revival styles, built from about 1891 to 1947.
- Neighborhoods: Parnassus, Mount Vernon, Valley Heights, Valley Camp, Pine Manor, and 40 Acres each have their own streets and homes.
- Aluminum City Terrace: A resident-owned co-op designed by Gropius and Breuer
- Riverfront location: Check flood zone status for properties near the Allegheny River.
Types of Homes
New Kensington’s housing ranges from older homes near downtown to houses across its neighborhoods, along with the co-op units at Aluminum City Terrace.
Prices and availability change daily. That means the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in New Kensington.
Schools
Public Schools
New Kensington is served by the New Kensington-Arnold School District, with offices at 707 Stevenson Boulevard, (724) 335-4401. The district also serves Arnold.
- Martin Elementary School (transitional K and kindergarten), 1800 Seventh Street Road, New Kensington
- H.D. Berkey Elementary School (grades 1–2), 1739 Victoria Avenue, Arnold
- Roy A. Hunt Elementary School (grades 3–6), 1701 Alcoa Drive, Arnold
- Valley Junior/Senior High School (grades 7–12), 703 Stevenson Boulevard, New Kensington
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- Penn State New Kensington, 3550 Seventh Street Road, in neighboring Upper Burrell Township
- Community College of Allegheny County Boyce Campus (Monroeville)
- Westmoreland County Community College (Youngwood)
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 56: Starts at the C.L. Schmitt Bridge and runs along Seventh Street and Stevenson Boulevard toward Lower Burrell
- PA Route 366: Enters the city over the Tarentum Bridge and joins Route 56 for a stretch
- PA Route 780 (Powers Drive): Has its western end in the city
- PA Route 28: Reached across the river in Tarentum and East Deer
Public Transit
Westmoreland County Transit runs local routes in New Kensington, routes to Greensburg and Avonmore, and a New Kensington–Pittsburgh Flyer. Call (724) 834-9282 for schedules. Pittsburgh Regional Transit also has service along the Freeport Road corridor that reaches the city.
Walkability & Bikeability
Walkability varies across New Kensington’s neighborhoods. Downtown, the library, Fifth Avenue shops, and the farmers market sit close together. For ratings, enter a specific address at Walk Score.
Things to Do
Parks
Pavilion reservations and park information are on the city’s services page.
Memorial Park
On Stevenson Boulevard, open Memorial Day to Labor Day, with a bandstand that hosts concerts, pavilions, and pickleball courts. Pavilion reservations: (724) 335-5421.
Massa Harbison Park
Home of the Girl Scout Little House. Reservations go through the city at (724) 337-4523.
Neighborhood parks and playgrounds
Including Fairmont, Parnassus, and Summit Street parks, the JFK Playground, a downtown playground and basketball courts at Barnes Street and Eighth Avenue, and the Corner Courtyard at Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street
Recreation
- Memorial Park concerts: Music at the park’s bandstand in summer
- Pickleball: Courts at Memorial Park
- Allegheny River: The city sits on the river, with bridges to Tarentum and East Deer
Annual Events
- Downtown farmers market (April to October): Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at Fifth Avenue and 10th Street, run by the New Ken Downtown Partnership
- Fourth of July fireworks festival: A long-running city celebration, moved to AK Valley Park in 2024
- Christmas parade and tree lighting: A downtown parade along Fifth and Fourth Avenues
- Summer Fridays on Fifth and Galentine’s Festival: Downtown events on Fifth Avenue
See the city website for current dates.
Dining & Shopping
- Fifth Avenue: The Corridor of Innovation along the 700 to 1100 blocks, with shops, restaurants, and services
- Fourth Avenue: One of the city’s historic main streets
- Pittsburgh Mills (Frazer): A larger shopping center 15 to 20 minutes away
Library
The Peoples Library is at 880 Barnes Street, (724) 339-1021. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Allegheny-Kiski Valley Historical Society in nearby Tarentum covers local history.
Local Services & Resources
New Kensington City Hall
301 Eleventh Street, New Kensington, PA 15068
Phone: (724) 337-4523
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Website: newkensingtonpa.org
Council meetings: Held in City Hall Council Chambers. See the website for dates.
Utilities
- Trash and recycling: County Hauling, (724) 929-7694, ext. 2. Paper recycling drop-off is behind the City Garage on Stevenson Boulevard.
- Water: The Municipal Authority of the City of New Kensington, which also serves Arnold
- Sewer: The Municipal Sanitary Authority of the City of New Kensington
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- New Kensington Police: For non-emergency questions, contact City Hall at (724) 337-4523.
- Fire: The New Kensington Bureau of Fire, with stations across the city
- EMS: New Kensington Ambulance Services, 839 Anderson Street
Hospitals Nearby
- AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital (Natrona Heights, across the river)
- UPMC St. Margaret (near Aspinwall)
Permits & Zoning
For code enforcement, building permits, and zoning questions, call City Hall at (724) 337-4523 or start at newkensingtonpa.org before starting a renovation, fence, deck, or addition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is New Kensington, PA in?
New Kensington is in Westmoreland County, on the Allegheny River northeast of Pittsburgh.
Is New Kensington a city or a borough?
A city. It was incorporated as a borough in 1892 and became a city in 1934.
What school district serves New Kensington?
The New Kensington-Arnold School District, which serves New Kensington and Arnold. Valley Junior/Senior High School is on Stevenson Boulevard.
How long is the drive from New Kensington to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 35 to 45 minutes. Traffic varies by time of day.
What is New Kensington’s connection to Alcoa?
The Pittsburgh Reduction Company, later Alcoa, moved its operations to New Kensington in 1891. The former works are now the New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park.
Is there public transit in New Kensington?
Yes. Westmoreland County Transit runs local routes and a Flyer to Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh Regional Transit has service along the Freeport Road corridor.
When is the New Kensington farmers market?
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon, April through October, at Fifth Avenue and 10th Street.
Where is the library in New Kensington?
The Peoples Library is at 880 Barnes Street, (724) 339-1021.
Where is New Kensington City Hall?
City Hall is at 301 Eleventh Street, New Kensington, PA 15068. The phone number is (724) 337-4523.
Thinking About a Move to New Kensington?
Whether you are buying in New Kensington or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current New Kensington 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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