Overview & Orientation
Ross Township is a suburban township of about 14.5 square miles in Allegheny County, just north of the City of Pittsburgh. It is home to the McKnight Road shopping corridor, Ross Park Mall, The Block Northway, and the business districts along Perry Highway and Babcock Boulevard. Ross includes many named communities, such as Perrysville, Evergreen, Highcliff, Berkeley Hills, Holly Hill, and Laurel Gardens, and it surrounds the borough of West View. Ross is part of the North Hills School District.
Where Ross Township Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Type: First-class township, formed in 1809 from part of Pine Township. It covers about 14.5 square miles. See Wikipedia’s Ross Township entry.
- Mailing addresses: Homes use “Pittsburgh, PA” with several ZIP codes, mainly 15237 and 15229, plus 15202 and 15212 in some areas near the township’s edges
- Neighbors: McCandless to the north, Hampton to the northeast, Shaler to the east, Reserve Township and Pittsburgh’s North Side neighborhoods to the south, Bellevue to the southwest, Kilbuck and Ohio Townships to the west, and Franklin Park to the northwest. Ross also surrounds West View.
Township or Mailing Address?
Ross homes don’t have a “Ross” mailing address. The Pittsburgh ZIP codes they use are shared with neighboring municipalities, which have their own services, taxes, and school districts:
| Municipality | School District |
|---|---|
| Ross Township | North Hills |
| West View Borough (15229) | North Hills |
| McCandless (15237) | North Allegheny |
| Shaler Township (parts) | Shaler Area |
| Bellevue / Avalon (15202) | Northgate |
To confirm a property’s municipality and school district, check the deed, the tax bill, or the Allegheny County real estate records.
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate and vary by where you start. Traffic varies by time of day, especially on McKnight Road and I-279.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| North Park | 10–15 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 15–20 minutes |
| Oakland (universities and hospitals) | 20–25 minutes |
| Cranberry Township | 20–25 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 30 minutes |
A Brief History
Ross Township was created in 1809, when John McKnight and about 30 other residents petitioned to split from the much larger Pine Township. It was named for James Ross, a Pittsburgh lawyer who represented Western Pennsylvania at the 1790 state constitutional convention and later served in the U.S. Senate. Several communities were later carved from the original township, including Reserve, Bellevue, and West View, which separated in 1905, according to the Allegheny County PAGenWeb history.
The old Venango Path, a Native American trail, became Franklin Road, then the Perrysville Plank Road, and today’s Perry Highway. Perrysville, where the first permanent cabin was built in 1794, is one of the oldest villages north of the Ohio River. In 1851, William Shinn founded Evergreen Hamlet, a planned community listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. After World War II, Ross grew quickly as a suburb. Northway Mall opened in 1962 as Pennsylvania’s first enclosed mall, and in 1967 the Big Mac was created at a McDonald’s on McKnight Road.
Notable Landmarks
- Evergreen Hamlet: An 1851 planned community and National Register historic district
- McKnight Road: One of the region’s largest retail corridors
- Ross Park Mall: A regional shopping mall off McKnight Road
- The Block Northway: The open-air shopping center on the former Northway Mall site
- Denny Park: A township park with a disc golf course
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Ross has a wide range of housing across its hills and valleys. Older areas near Perrysville, Evergreen, and the township’s southern edge have early- and mid-1900s homes on smaller lots. Much of the township was built out between the 1950s and 1970s, with brick ranches, split-levels, Cape Cods, and two-story homes on curving streets in areas such as Highcliff, Berkeley Hills, and Holly Hill. Newer homes, townhome communities, condominiums, and apartment complexes are mixed in, especially near McKnight Road and Babcock Boulevard.
Homes near Girty’s Run, Lowries Run, or other low-lying areas should be checked on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
Types of Homes
- Single-family homes (the majority), from older homes to mid-century ranches and split-levels to newer construction
- Townhomes and condominiums
- Apartment communities
Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Ross Township.
Schools
North Hills School District
Ross is served by the North Hills School District, which covers Ross Township and West View, about 14.6 square miles in all. The district office is at 135 Sixth Avenue. The middle and high schools share a hilltop campus. See the district overview for background.
- Elementary (K–5): Highcliff, McIntyre, Ross, and West View Elementary Schools
- Middle (6–8): North Hills Middle School
- High (9–12): North Hills High School
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- La Roche University (McCandless)
- CCAC North Campus (McCandless) and CCAC Allegheny Campus (North Side)
- University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon, and Duquesne (about 20–25 minutes)
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 (U.S. 19 Truck): The main north-south commercial corridor, south to the city and north toward McCandless
- I-279 (Parkway North): Runs along the township’s southern and eastern side, with a direct route to Downtown and connections to the North Shore
- Perry Highway (U.S. 19): Runs through the western side of the township, north toward Wexford and Cranberry
- Babcock Boulevard: Connects Ross with Shaler, McCandless, and North Park
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) runs bus service along McKnight Road, Perry Highway, and other corridors, including routes that use the I-279 HOV lanes toward Downtown. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
Some older streets near Perrysville and the township’s southern edge have sidewalks, and the township has adopted a Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. Most errands are easier by car, especially along McKnight Road. See Walk Score for Ross Township, PA.
Things to Do
Parks & Recreation
Ross Township Parks & Recreation runs township parks, a community center, rental facilities, and programs for all ages, including disc golf at Denny Park. Call (412) 931-7041 or see the township’s Parks & Recreation resources for facilities, rentals, and program registration. Allegheny County’s North Park, with its lake, trails, and pool, is a short drive north.
Shopping & Dining
McKnight Road is lined with national retailers, grocery stores, and restaurants, anchored by Ross Park Mall and The Block Northway. Smaller local businesses are along Perry Highway and Babcock Boulevard.
Library
Ross is served by the Northland Public Library, 300 Cumberland Road, (412) 366-8100. Northland also keeps a local history collection covering Ross and nearby communities. Allegheny County Library Association cards work at member libraries across the county.
Local Services & Resources
Ross Township Municipal Building
1000 Ross Municipal Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone: (412) 931-7055
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Website: ross.pa.us
Board of Commissioners: Nine commissioners, one from each ward. Committee meetings are the first Monday and business meetings the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. See the Board of Commissioners page.
Trash & Recycling
Waste Management (WM) collects trash and recycling weekly on the same day, which depends on your street. Call WM at 1-800-866-4460 to find your day. Set cans out after 4 p.m. the evening before, using the 96-gallon can WM provides. One bulk item per month is collected free during the third full week of the month, and extra bulk items can be scheduled for a fee. See the township’s Garbage Collection page.
Utilities
- Water: West View Water Authority serves most of the township
- Sewage: Treatment by ALCOSAN, with township sewage billing through Jordan Tax Service
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police: Ross Township Police Department, non-emergency (412) 931-9070. See the township’s police contacts.
- Fire: Eight volunteer fire departments serve the township
- Ambulance: Ross/West View EMS
Hospitals Nearby
- UPMC Passavant (McCandless)
- AHN Allegheny General Hospital (North Side)
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, deck, fence, or pool? Contact Ross Township Community Development at (412) 931-7048 for building and zoning permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Ross Township in?
Allegheny County, just north of the City of Pittsburgh.
What mailing address do Ross Township homes use?
“Pittsburgh, PA,” mainly with ZIP code 15237 or 15229. Those ZIP codes also cover parts of neighboring municipalities, so check the deed or tax bill.
What school district serves Ross Township?
The North Hills School District, which also serves West View. It has four elementary schools, North Hills Middle School, and North Hills High School.
Who collects trash in Ross Township?
Waste Management, weekly, with trash and recycling on the same day. Call 1-800-866-4460 to find your day.
When does the Ross Township Board of Commissioners meet?
Committee meetings are the first Monday and business meetings the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m.
Is West View part of Ross Township?
No. West View is a separate borough that Ross surrounds. It separated from Ross in 1905, and both are in the North Hills School District.
What is Evergreen Hamlet?
A planned community founded in 1851 in Ross Township and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
How long is the drive from Ross Township to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 15 to 20 minutes by I-279 or McKnight Road, depending on traffic.
Thinking About a Move to Ross Township?
Whether you are buying in Ross Township or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including whether a specific Pittsburgh 15237 or 15229 address is in Ross or a neighboring municipality. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Ross Township listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
Explore Nearby Communities
- West View (homes for sale)
- McCandless (homes for sale)
- Hampton Township (homes for sale)
- Bellevue (homes for sale)
- Avalon (homes for sale)
Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
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