Overview & Orientation
Plum is a borough in eastern Allegheny County, about 13 miles east of Downtown Pittsburgh. It covers roughly 29 square miles, making it the second-largest borough in Pennsylvania by land area. Plum is known for Boyce Park, Oakmont Country Club, and a long stretch of Allegheny River frontage along its northern edge.
Where Plum Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Municipality type: Borough, with a Council-Mayor form of government
- Size: About 29 square miles
- ZIP code: Most of Plum uses 15239. Many addresses use “Pittsburgh, PA” even though Plum is outside city limits. There are also parts of Plum that use 15068 (New Kensington side) and 15147 (Oakmont/Verona side).
- Bordering communities: Monroeville (south), Penn Hills and Oakmont (west), Murrysville, Upper Burrell, Lower Burrell, and New Kensington (east and north, in Westmoreland County), and Harmar, Cheswick, and Springdale across the Allegheny River
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 25–35 minutes |
| Oakland | 25–35 minutes |
| Monroeville | 10–15 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 40–50 minutes |
| Cranberry Township | 35–45 minutes |
A Brief History
Plum was founded as Plum Township on December 18, 1788. It was one of the seven original townships of Allegheny County. The name comes from Plum Creek, which rises within the borough.
For its first century, Plum was farmland. Coal mining, aluminum powder manufacturing, and gas and oil production shaped its growth in the early 1900s. Plum reorganized as a borough in 1956.
History buffs can follow part of the Forbes Trail along Old Frankstown Road. That is the route British General John Forbes took toward Fort Duquesne in 1758.
Notable Landmarks
- Oakmont Country Club: Most of this historic golf course sits within Plum. It has hosted a record ten U.S. Opens, most recently in 2025.
- Boyce Park: A 1,096-acre Allegheny County park, the only place in the county with downhill skiing and snow tubing.
- Carpenter Family Log House: A reconstructed log house in Boyce Park, with tours offered by the Allegheny Foothills Historical Society.
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Plum’s size means its housing varies a lot from one section to the next.
- Older sections: Homes in the historic coal-mining villages, such as Renton and Logans Ferry, date to the early and mid-1900s.
- Mid-century and later subdivisions: Ranch and bi-level homes are common in neighborhoods built from the 1960s onward, when Plum’s population more than doubled.
- Newer construction: Colonial-style and contemporary homes appear in more recent subdivisions.
- Lot sizes: These range from standard suburban lots to multi-acre parcels in the borough’s more rural areas.
Types of Homes
- Single-family homes (the majority)
- Townhouse developments, several located near the borough’s outer edges
- Condominiums and apartments
- New construction communities
Check out current homes for sale in Plum here: Plum Homes for Sale
Sections & Neighborhoods Within Plum
Holiday Park Southeastern Plum, near the Route 286 corridor. Home to Larry Mills Park and the Holiday Park Shopping Center.
RentonA historic former coal-mining village. Home to Renton Park and the Renton Ballfield.
Logans Ferry Northeastern Plum along the Allegheny River, named for early settler Alexander Logan.
New Texas A historic hamlet near the geographic center of the borough, along New Texas Road.
Unity Western Plum, along Unity Center Road and Unity Trestle Road.
Regency Park & Edgemede Residential subdivisions within the borough. [VERIFY: location and typical home styles]
Schools
Public Schools
Plum is served by the Plum Borough School District, headquartered at 900 Elicker Road.
- O’Block Elementary School (K–4)
- Pivik Elementary School (K–4)
- Holiday Park Intermediate School (5–6)
- Plum Middle School (7–8)
- Plum Senior High School (9–12)
- Plum Digital Learning Academy (online option, K–12)
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- CCAC Boyce Campus (Monroeville)
- Penn State New Kensington (Upper Burrell)
- 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 286 (Golden Mile Highway): Plum’s main retail corridor, connecting to Monroeville and Murrysville
- PA Route 380: Runs near Boyce Park toward Murrysville
- Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76): Crosses Plum between mile markers 49 and 55. The nearest interchanges are Monroeville and Allegheny Valley.
- I-376 (Parkway East): Reached through Monroeville or Penn Hills
- PA Route 28: Reached across the Allegheny River
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) provides bus service to parts of Plum. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
See Walk Score for Plum, PA for walking, transit, and bike ratings.
Things to Do
Boyce Park
Boyce Park is Plum’s largest outdoor space. This 1,096-acre Allegheny County park extends into Monroeville and is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset.
- Winter: Downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. It’s the only ski area in Allegheny County.
- Summer: Wave pool, skate park, and climbing walls
- Year-round: Hiking and mountain-bike trails, an archery range, a pump track, ballfields, tennis courts, picnic shelters, and a nature center
Learn more at Allegheny County Parks.
Borough Parks
Larry Mills ParkFontana Drive, Holiday Park. 32 acres with soccer fields, the Plum Paradise Park playground, volleyball and bocce courts, and a rentable pavilion.
Plum Creek ParkRoss Hollow Road. Six baseball/softball fields, football and lacrosse fields, and two rentable pavilions. The borough’s youth trout fishing event is held here each April.
Renton Park9021 Walnut Street. Pavilion, playground, basketball court, three pickleball courts, bocce court, and cornhole boards.
Logans Ferry Park415 Plum Avenue. Playground and a refurbished basketball court.
Pavilions can be rented April 1 through October 31. Reserve through the borough’s rental site.
Golf
Oakmont Country Club is a membership club and not open for public play.
Restaurants & Local Favorites
- Eighty Acres Kitchen & Bar: 1910 New Texas Road. Seasonal, farm-to-table American menu and a patio.
- Pugliano’s Italian Grill: Italian fare.
- Del’s Plum Creamery: Ice cream.
- Route 286 is home to a mix of pizza shops, casual dining, and national chains.
Shopping & Groceries
- Route 286 / Golden Mile Highway: Plum’s main shopping corridor, including the Holiday Park Shopping Center
- Monroeville: Larger retail centers are a short drive south
Annual Events
- Summerfest (June): Plum’s community festival at Larry Mills Park, with carnival rides, games, live music, and food vendors
- FallFest (autumn): Held at Plum Creek Park, with food trucks, craft beer, pony rides, and a pumpkin patch
- Youth Trout Fishing Event (April): Plum Creek Park
- Spring Clean-Up: A borough-sponsored community event
For dates, follow the Borough of Plum on Facebook or sign up for the borough’s Savvy Citizen alerts.
Library & Community Programs
- Plum Borough Community Library: 445 Center-New Texas Road, (412) 798-7323. Offers story times, teen and adult programs, book clubs, free Wi-Fi, and the Oliver M. Thompson History Room.
- Plum Senior Community Center: Next to the library
- Youth sports: Plum Baseball & Softball, Plum Soccer, Plum Lacrosse, Plum Boro Basketball, and Plum Midget Football
Local Services & Resources
Borough of Plum Municipal Building
2000 Mike Thomas Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15239
Phone: (412) 795-6800
Website: plumboro.com
Council meetings: See minutes and agendas for the current schedule.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Plum Borough Police: Police department page
- Volunteer fire departments: Holiday Park, Logans Ferry, Renton, and Unity
- EMS: Plum EMS
Hospitals Nearby
- UPMC East (Monroeville)
- AHN Forbes Hospital (Monroeville)
- AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital (Natrona Heights)
- [VERIFY: nearest urgent care locations]
Permits & Zoning
Plan a renovation, addition, fence, or deck? Start with the borough’s Community Development department for building permits, occupancy permits, and zoning questions.
Trash, Recycling, Snow & Leaves
- Garbage and recycling information
- Snow removal
- Leaf collection schedule
- Yard waste pick-up
- Household hazardous waste and e-waste
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Plum, PA in?
Plum is in Allegheny County. Its eastern and northern edges border Westmoreland County.
Is Plum part of the City of Pittsburgh?
No. Plum is an independent borough. Many Plum addresses use “Pittsburgh, PA” as the mailing city, but the borough has its own government.
What school district serves Plum?
The Plum Borough School District serves all of Plum. It operates two elementary schools, an intermediate school, a middle school, and Plum Senior High School.
What parks are in Plum?
Plum has four borough parks: Larry Mills Park, Plum Creek Park, Renton Park, and Logans Ferry Park. It is also home to most of Boyce Park, a 1,096-acre Allegheny County park.
Can you ski in Plum, PA?
Yes. Boyce Park offers downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. It is the only ski area in Allegheny County.
Is Oakmont Country Club in Plum?
Yes. Most of Oakmont Country Club sits within Plum Borough. The club has hosted a record ten U.S. Opens.
What types of homes are in Plum?
Plum primarily has a wide variety from ranch and split-level homes in mid-century subdivisions, to newer colonial and contemporary homes, and several townhouse developments.
Thinking About a Move to Plum?
Whether you are buying in Plum or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions. No pressure. Just local knowledge.
Click here to see all of the homes for sale in Plum: Plum Homes for Sale
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
Explore Nearby Communities
- Murrysville
- Monroeville
- Penn Hills
- Verona
- Oakmont
- New Kensington
Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
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Last updated: September 2026