Ross Township
Ross Township is one of the closest communities to downtown of any in the North Hills, anchored by the McKnight Road corridor and Ross Park Mall. Housing stock is largely postwar: brick ranches, capes, splits, and four-squares on established streets, with some newer infill and patio-home communities. It is one of the most accessible entry points into the northern suburbs by price, and the short commute keeps demand steady. Ross Township is served by the North Hills School District along with neighboring West View Borough.
“As a current resident of Ross Township, I know the area well. It's known for shopping conveniently located close to downtown Pittsburgh.”
The basics on Ross Township.
- Population
- Approximately 33,000
- Municipality type
- Township (Allegheny County)
- Location
- Approximately 6 miles north of downtown Pittsburgh
- Primary access
- I-279, McKnight Road, Route 19 (Perry Highway), Babcock Boulevard
- Commute to downtown
- 15 to 25 minutes
- ZIP codes
- 15229, 15237
What it's actually like to live in Ross Township.
Lifestyle & Community
Ross Township is the closest-in community on the North Hills side of Pittsburgh, and the housing stock reflects its age: brick ranches, capes, split-levels, and four-squares on established streets with mature trees and tight lot spacing. It does not have the suburban spread of Hampton or Wexford; the streets are denser, the lots smaller, and the feel more urban-adjacent. That proximity is the point. Residents trade space for commute, and for buyers who work downtown or in the Strip District, the difference in drive time versus communities 10 miles further north is meaningful every day.
Parks, Dining & Amenities
Ross Park Mall anchors the commercial core, with surrounding retail along McKnight Road covering every everyday need. The McKnight corridor has grocery, pharmacy, national chains, and independent dining options stretching from West View north into McCandless. Latodami Nature Center in North Park is accessible for outdoor recreation, and North Park itself is under 15 minutes north. Allegheny Commons Park is accessible to the south via I-279 for residents who want proximity to the city's park system. Ross Township Municipal Park covers local recreation needs.
Commute & Access
I-279 runs directly through Ross Township and is the primary route to downtown Pittsburgh; most Ross addresses reach the Point in 15 to 25 minutes outside of rush hour, making it one of the shortest commutes available in the northern suburbs. McKnight Road (Route 19) provides a surface-road alternative. Babcock Boulevard connects to the eastern parts of the township. Pittsburgh International Airport is 30 to 40 minutes via I-279 south to I-376 west. The commute advantage is Ross's most consistent competitive edge over communities further out on the same corridors.
Schools & Education
Ross Township is served by the North Hills School District, which covers Ross Township and several adjacent boroughs including West View, Millvale, and Etna. North Hills School District offers solid academic programming and extracurricular options; it is well-regarded within the North Hills but occupies a different tier than North Allegheny or Hampton Township in terms of statewide rankings and market perception. For buyers prioritizing commute and price over district prestige, North Hills is a reasonable trade. North Hills High School, Middle School, and the district's elementary schools are all within the township.
Places around Ross Township.
Parks & Outdoors
- North Park (Allegheny County, 15 min)
- Latodami Nature Center
- Ross Township Municipal Park
- Allegheny Commons (south)
Dining & Coffee
- McKnight Road restaurant corridor
- Ross Park Mall dining
- Local diners and pizza along Route 19
- Starbucks, Panera (multiple locations)
Shopping & Errands
- Ross Park Mall
- Giant Eagle (McKnight Road)
- Target, Home Depot (McKnight)
- West View Plaza
Medical
- UPMC Passavant (McCandless campus)
- AHN Allegheny General (south)
- North Hills medical offices (McKnight corridor)
Families with school-age kids
Ross Township falls within North Hills School District. See boundary-level market data, feeder patterns, and school highlights.
Get a straight answer on what your money buys here.
Michael has worked buyers and sellers across Ross Township for over three decades. A free 30-minute consultation will tell you more than three hours of online research.