Penn Hills, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Penn Hills, Pennsylvania
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Home rule township
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Longue Vue Club and Golf Course, founded in 1920
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| Motto(s):
“A Home Rule Community”
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Location of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania (left) and of Penn Hills in Allegheny County (right)
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Pennsylvania | |
| County | Allegheny | |
| Incorporated | 1850 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Home Rule Municipality | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 19.36 sq mi (50.13 km2) | |
| • Land | 19.12 sq mi (49.52 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.24 sq mi (0.62 km2) | |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 42,329 | |
| • Estimate
(2018)
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40,974 | |
| • Density | 2,173.61/sq mi (839.24/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP Code |
15235
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| Area code(s) | 412, 878 | |
| FIPS code | 42-003-59032 | |
| Website | http://www.pennhills.org | |
Penn Hills is a busy township located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. It's a special type of community called a "home rule municipality," which means it has the power to make its own local laws. Penn Hills is a suburb of the big city of Pittsburgh.
With a population of about 41,059 people as of 2020, Penn Hills is the second-largest local government area in Allegheny County. It's a lively place where many people live and work.
Contents
A Look Back at Penn Hills' History
The area we now call Penn Hills has a long history. Back in 1788, when Allegheny County was first created, this land was part of a larger area called Pitt Township.
Over time, the area changed names a few times. In 1850, it was first called Adams, then McNair Township. Finally, in 1851, it officially became Penn Township. The name changed again in 1958 to Penn Hills Township. In 1976, Penn Hills gained its "home rule" status, allowing it to govern itself more directly.
The first official count of people in Penn Township was in 1860, with 1,821 residents. The population grew steadily over the years, showing how the community developed and became more popular.
Where is Penn Hills Located?
Penn Hills is located in western Pennsylvania. It covers an area of about 19.3 square miles. Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
If you're sending mail, Penn Hills uses the ZIP codes 15235 and 15147. The phone area codes for the community are 412 and 878.
Neighborhoods and Communities
Penn Hills is made up of many different neighborhoods. Some of these include Blackridge, Churchill Valley, Crescent Hills, Eastmont, and Lincoln Park. Each neighborhood has its own unique feel and community spirit.
Rivers and Streams
The Allegheny River forms the northern border of Penn Hills. Several smaller waterways also flow through the area. These streams add to the natural beauty of the township.
- Plum Creek flows through Penn Hills and helps form the border with Plum Borough. It eventually empties into the Allegheny River.
- Sandy Creek starts near Verona Road and also flows into the Allegheny River.
- Thompson Run begins near Linton Middle School and flows towards the Monongahela River.
- Quigley Run and Shades Run are two other streams that flow directly into the Allegheny River.
- Duffs Run winds through the Churchill Valley neighborhood before joining Thompson Run.
Nearby Towns and Cities
Penn Hills shares its borders with several other towns and cities. To the north, you'll find Verona and Oakmont. Plum Borough is to the east, and Monroeville is to the southeast.
To the south, Penn Hills borders Wilkins Township, Churchill, and Wilkinsburg. It also touches parts of Pittsburgh, including the East Hills, Homewood North, and Lincoln–Lemington–Belmar neighborhoods. Across the Allegheny River to the northwest are O'Hara Township and Blawnox.
Who Lives in Penn Hills?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 1,821 | — | |
| 1870 | 2,685 | 47.4% | |
| 1880 | 3,291 | 22.6% | |
| 1890 | 2,932 | −10.9% | |
| 1900 | 3,407 | 16.2% | |
| 1910 | 6,207 | 82.2% | |
| 1920 | 8,342 | 34.4% | |
| 1930 | 13,337 | 59.9% | |
| 1940 | 15,578 | 16.8% | |
| 1950 | 25,280 | 62.3% | |
| 1960 | 51,512 | 103.8% | |
| 1970 | 62,886 | 22.1% | |
| 1980 | 57,632 | −8.4% | |
| 1990 | 51,479 | −10.7% | |
| 2000 | 46,809 | −9.1% | |
| 2010 | 42,329 | −9.6% | |
| 2020 | 41,059 | −3.0% | |
| Sources: | |||
As of 2010, about 42,329 people called Penn Hills home. The population has grown quite a bit over the years, showing how many people have chosen to live here.
Penn Hills is a diverse community. Many different groups of people live here, including White, African American, and Asian residents. There's also a notable Italian American population. This mix of cultures makes Penn Hills a vibrant place to live.
The community has a good mix of age groups, from young children to older adults. This blend of ages helps create a strong and supportive community for everyone.
Education in Penn Hills
Students in Penn Hills attend schools within the Penn Hills School District. This district includes Penn Hills Elementary School for younger students.
Older students go to Linton Middle School and Penn Hills High School. These schools help prepare students for their future, whether it's college or a career.
Getting Around Penn Hills
Penn Hills has good transportation options, making it easy to travel to and from the area. Interstate 376 runs through the southern part of Penn Hills. This highway connects the township to downtown Pittsburgh and other eastern suburbs.
Pennsylvania Route 791, also known as Rodi Road, is another important road. It connects major routes and has many businesses like restaurants and gas stations. This makes it a convenient stop for travelers.
For air travel, most people use Pittsburgh International Airport. The Allegheny County Airport is also available for some flights.
The Port Authority of Allegheny County provides bus services in Penn Hills. These buses offer routes to Downtown Pittsburgh and other areas, helping people get around without a car.
Major Roads in Penn Hills
I-376 / 
US 22 Penn Lincoln Parkway (Exit 81)
PA 791 Rodi Road
PA 380 Frankstown and Saltsburg Roads
PA 130 Coal Hollow, Sandy Creek, and Beulah Roads
Yellow Belt The Yellow Belt uses Hulton, Frankstown, and Rodi Roads.
Green Belt The Green Belt includes Robinson Blvd, Verona Road, and Sandy Creek Road.
Famous People from Penn Hills
Many talented people have come from Penn Hills! Here are a few:
- Dion Bentley, a long jumper
- Barry Church, an NFL football safety
- Aaron Donald, an NFL football defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams
- Scott Edgar, a college basketball coach
- Tom Flynn, an NFL football safety
- Bill Fralic, an NFL football guard
- Kevin Peter Hall, an actor
- George Karl, a famous NBA basketball player and coach
- Abby Lee Miller, a television personality
- Guy Primus, an entrepreneur and inventor
- Salima Rockwell, a volleyball player
- Tom Tumulty, an NFL football linebacker
