Question: Where are People Moving in Pittsburgh?
When looking for a neighborhood, many people want to know where other people are choosing to move. In Pittsburgh, as in most major cities, this means the suburbs, as people spread out in search of new construction and lower taxes. While the older, city neighborhoods all have their own charm, here are the Pittsburgh area communities boasting the largest population gains in recent years.
Answer:
- In 2000 the most building permits (282) were issued in Peters Township, south of the Allegheny County line in Washington County, with an average value of $214,675.50. The township's population also increased by 21 percent from 1990 to 2000, according to U.S. Census data. Low taxes, new housing and an easy commute to downtown Pittsburgh make this an attractive area for newcomers.
- Cranberry Township in Butler County is also booming, with 266 permits issued in 2000 with an average value of $141,263.22. According to the latest U.S. Census data, Cranberry Township, Butler County saw the biggest population increase in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, adding 8,809 people to the community, a 59 percent increase in 10 years.
- In Allegheny County, Pine Township saw the greatest increase in new residents with 3,635 people moving to this community in the past ten years.
- West of Pittsburgh the construction boom is also very active, especially along the Allegheny-Washington county line. Fast growing communities in western Allegheny county include North Fayette and South Fayette, which posted 10-year population gains of 28 percent and 19 percent, respectively. Across the border in Washington County, North Strabane recorded a population increase of 23 percent and Cecil Township, 9 percent.
- There's a bit less new construction east of Pittsburgh, but the population is growing there too once you cross the line into Westmoreland County. Penn Township posted a 22.8 percent population increase in the 2000 census, and has nearly doubled in population in the last 40 years. Nearby Murrysville grew 9.5 percent, from 17,240 residents to 18,872.
