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Pittsburgh, PA

Frequently asked questions

Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh is a city in and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the second-most populous city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia, and the 68th-most populous city in the U.S., with a population of 302,971 as of the 2020 census. The city is located in southwestern Pennsylvania at the confluence of the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River, which combine to form the Ohio River. It anchors the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, which has a population of 2.457 million residents and is the largest metro area in both the Ohio Valley and Appalachia, the second-largest in Pennsylvania, and the 26th-largest in the U.S. Pittsburgh is the principal city of the greater Pittsburgh–Weirton–Steubenville combined statistical area which includes parts of Ohio and West Virginia.

Pittsburgh is known as "the Steel City" for its dominant role in the history of the U.S. steel industry. It developed as a vital link between the Atlantic coast and Midwest, as the mineral-rich Allegheny Mountains led to the region being contested by the French and British Empires, Virginians, Whiskey Rebels, and Civil War raiders. For part of the 20th century, Pittsburgh was behind only New York City and Chicago in corporate headquarters employment; it had the most U.S. stockholders per capita. Deindustrialization in the late 20th century resulted in massive layoffs among blue-collar workers as steel and other heavy industries declined, coinciding with several Pittsburgh-based corporations moving out of the city. However, the city divested from steel and, since the 1990s, Pittsburgh has focused its energies on the healthcare, education, and technology industries.

Pittsburgh is home to large medical providers, including the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Allegheny Health Network, and 68 colleges and universities, including research and development leaders Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. The area has served as the federal agency headquarters for cyber defense, software engineering, robotics, energy research, and the nuclear navy. In the private sector, Pittsburgh-based PNC is the nation's fifth-largest bank, and the city is home to eight Fortune 500 companies and seven of the largest 300 U.S. law firms. Other corporations that have regional headquarters and offices have helped Pittsburgh become the sixth-best area for U.S. job growth. Furthermore, the region is a hub for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and energy extraction. 

Pittsburgh is sometimes called the "City of Bridges" for its 446 bridges. Its rich industrial history left the area with renowned cultural institutions, including the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the National Aviary, and a diverse cultural district. The city's major league professional sports teams include the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Pittsburgh is additionally where Jehovah's Witnesses traces its earliest origins, and was the host of the 2009 G20 Pittsburgh summit.

Pittsburgh has an area of 58.3 square miles (151 km²), of which 55.6 square miles (144 km²) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km²), or 4.75%, is water. The 80th meridian west passes directly through the city's downtown.

The city is on the Allegheny Plateau, within the ecoregion of the Western Allegheny Plateau. The Downtown area (also known as the Golden Triangle) sits where the Allegheny River flows from the northeast and the Monongahela River from the southeast to form the Ohio River. The convergence is at Point State Park and is referred to as "the Point." The city extends east to include the Oakland and Shadyside sections, which are home to the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University, Carnegie Museum and Library, and many other educational, medical, and cultural institutions. The southern, western, and northern areas of the city are primarily residential.

The city places a strong emphasis on health and wellness among its residents. UPMC Presbyterian, often referred to locally as Presby, is a 900-bed non-profit research and academic hospital located in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, providing tertiary care for the Western Pennsylvania region and beyond. Yoga Flow Pittsburgh offers premier yoga classes all over Pittsburgh. Anytime Fitness provides a comprehensive fitness experience with state-of-the-art equipment and personal training. Allegheny General Hospital provides comprehensive medical care, including primary care, specialty services, and emergency care. Art in Motion Pittsburgh offers dance classes that promote physical fitness. For those interested in martial arts, Shaolin Studios offers classes for all ages.

Top sites in Pittsburg, PA are Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the Andy Warhol Museum, and Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.

Population: 303,255 (2023). ZIP codes: 15122, 15201-15244, 15250-15255, 15257-15262, 15264-15265, 15267-15268, 15270, 15272, 15274-15279, 15281-15283, 15286, 15289-15290, 15295. Area codes: 412, 724, 878. Area: 58.35 sq mi (151.12 km²). Elevation: 1,370 ft (420 m).

FAQs

What is Pittsburgh, PA known for?

Pittsburgh is known both as "the Steel City" for its dominant role in the history of the U.S. steel industry and as the "City of Bridges" for its 446 bridges. For part of the 20th century, Pittsburgh was behind only New York City and Chicago in corporate headquarters employment; it had the most U.S. stockholders per capita. Starting in the post-war era, Pittsburgh leaders began to strategically divest manufacturing and invest instead in education, science, technology, health care, and art.

Is Pittsburgh, PA a good place to live?

Pittsburgh is in Allegheny County and is one of the best places to live in Pennsylvania. Living in Pittsburgh offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In Pittsburgh, there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Pittsburgh and residents tend to have moderate political views.

Is Pittsburgh, PA expensive?

It's much more affordable than other big cities around the country while boasting enviable big-city amenities, such as top-ranked universities, a thriving tech scene, world-class cultural institutions, diversity, and so much more. According to the most recent U.S. census data, there are just under 303,000 people living in Pittsburgh, the second most populated city in Pennsylvania. The state’s biggest city, Philadelphia, has over five times as many people. Considering size, this leaves the City of Steel about half as dense as Philly, so anyone moving to Pittsburgh can look forward to a big-city vibe without being too cramped — for now. 

Sources

Allegheny County

Wikipedia

Pods

Niche

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Andy Warhol Museum 

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL)

UPMC Presbyterian

Yoga Flow Pittsburgh

Anytime Fitness

Allegheny General Hospital

Art in Motion Pittsburgh

Shaolin Studios

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.