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.^[52] 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.

Many Pittsburgh neighborhoods are steeply sloped with two-lane roads. More than a quarter of neighborhood names make reference to "hills," "heights," or similar features.^{[lower-alpha 1]}

The steps of Pittsburgh consist of 800 sets of outdoor public stairways with 44,645 treads and 24,090 vertical feet. They include hundreds of streets composed entirely of stairs, and many other steep streets with stairs for sidewalks.^[53] Many provide vistas of the Pittsburgh area while attracting hikers and fitness walkers.^[54]

Bike and walking trails have been built to border many of the city's rivers and hollows. The Great Allegheny Passage and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath connect the city directly to downtown Washington, D.C. (some 335 miles [539 km] away) with a continuous bike/running trail.

Cityscape

Areas

The city consists of the Downtown area, called the Golden Triangle,^[55] and four main areas surrounding it. These surrounding areas are subdivided into distinct neighborhoods (Pittsburgh has 90 neighborhoods).^[56] Relative to downtown, these areas are known as the Central, North Side/North Hills, South Side/South Hills, East End, and West End.

Golden Triangle

Downtown Pittsburgh has 30 skyscrapers, nine of which top 500 feet (150 m). The U.S. Steel Tower is the tallest, at 841 ft (256 m).^[57] The Cultural District consists of a 14-block area of downtown along the Allegheny River. This district contains many theaters and arts venues and is home to a growing residential segment. Most significantly, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is embarking on RiverParc, a four-block mixed-use "green" community, featuring 700 residential units and multiple towers of between 20 and 30 stories. The Firstside portion of Downtown borders the Monongahela River, the historic Mon Wharf and hosts the distinctive PPG Place Gothic-style glass skyscraper complex. New condo towers have been constructed and historic office towers are converted to residential use, increasing 24-hour residents. Downtown is served by the Port Authority's light rail system and multiple bridges leading north and south.^[58] It is also home to Point Park University and Duquesne University which borders Uptown.

North Side

The North Side is home to various neighborhoods in transition. The area was once known as Allegheny City and operated as its own independent city until 1907, when it was merged with Pittsburgh despite great protest from its citizens. The North Side is primarily composed of residential neighborhoods and is noteworthy for its well-constructed and architecturally interesting homes. Many buildings date from the 19th century and are constructed of brick or stone and adorned with decorative woodwork, ceramic tile, slate roofs and stained glass. The North Side is also home to attractions such as Acrisure Stadium, PNC Park, Kamin Science Center, National Aviary, Andy Warhol Museum, Mattress Factory art museum, Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, Randyland, Penn Brewery, Allegheny Observatory, and Allegheny General Hospital.^[59]

South Side

Thumb — East Carson Street in the South Side Flats

The South Side was once the site of railyards and associated dense, inexpensive housing for mill and railroad workers. Starting in the late 20th century, the city undertook a Main Street program in cooperation with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, encouraging design and landscape improvements on East Carson Street, and supporting new retail. The area has become a local Pittsburgher destination, and the value of homes in the South Side had increased in value by about 10% annually for the 10 years leading up to 2014.^[60] East Carson Street has developed as one of the most vibrant areas of the city, packed with diverse shopping, ethnic eateries, vibrant nightlife, and live music venues.

In 1993, the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh purchased the South Side Works steel mill property. It collaborated with the community and various developers to create a master plan for a mixed-use development that included a riverfront park, office space, housing, health-care facilities, and indoor practice fields for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pitt Panthers. Construction of the development began in 1998. The SouthSide Works has been open since 2005, featuring many stores, restaurants, offices, and the world headquarters for American Eagle Outfitters.^[61]

East End

The East End of Pittsburgh is home to the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Carlow University, Chatham University, The Carnegie Institute's Museums of Art and Natural History, Phipps Conservatory, and Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall. It is also home to many parks and public spaces including Mellon Park, Westinghouse Park, Schenley Park, Frick Park, The Frick Pittsburgh, Bakery Square, and the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. The neighborhoods of Shadyside and Squirrel Hill are large, wealthy neighborhoods with some apartments and condos, and pedestrian-oriented shopping/business districts. Squirrel Hill is also known as the hub of Jewish life in Pittsburgh, home to approximately 20 synagogues.^[62] Oakland, heavily populated by undergraduate and graduate students, is home to most of the universities, and the Petersen Events Center. The Strip District to the west along the Allegheny River is an open-air marketplace by day and a clubbing destination by night. Bloomfield is Pittsburgh's Little Italy and is known for its Italian restaurants and grocers. Lawrenceville is a revitalizing rowhouse neighborhood popular with artists and designers. The Hill District was home to photographer Charles Harris as well as various African-American jazz clubs.^[63] Other East End neighborhoods include Point Breeze, Regent Square, Highland Park, Homewood, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar, Larimer, East Hills, East Liberty, Polish Hill, Hazelwood, Garfield, Morningside, and Stanton Heights.

West End

The West End includes Mt. Washington, with its famous view of the downtown skyline, and numerous other residential neighborhoods such as Sheraden and Elliott.

Ethnicities

This section does not cite any sources. (September 2023)

Many of Pittsburgh's patchwork of neighborhoods still retain ethnic characters reflecting the city's settlement history. These include:

German: Troy Hill, Mt. Washington, and East Allegheny (Deutschtown)
Italian: Brookline, Bloomfield, Morningside, Oakland
Hispanic/Latino: Beechview/Brookline
Polish, Austrian, Belgian, Czech, Slovak, German, Greek, Hungarian, Luxembourgish, Dutch, Romanian, Swiss, Slovenia and the northern marginal regions of Italy, Croatian, as well as northeastern France, Central European: South Side, Lawrenceville, and Polish Hill
Lithuanian: South Side, Uptown
African American/Multiracial African American: Hill District, Homewood, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar, Larimer, East Hills, and Hazelwood
Jewish (Ashkenazi): Squirrel Hill
Irish: Mt. Washington, Carrick, Greenfield
Ukrainian (Ruthenian): South Side

Population densities

Several neighborhoods on the edges of the city are less urban, featuring tree-lined streets, yards and garages, with a more suburban character. Oakland, the South Side, the North Side, and the Golden Triangle are characterized by more density of housing, walking neighborhoods, and a more diverse, urban feel.

Images

Regional identity

Thumb — *The Puddler*, a glass mural of an iron or steel worker,^[64]^[65] memorializing Pittsburgh's industrial heritage

Pittsburgh falls within the borders of the Northeastern United States as defined by multiple US Government agencies. Pittsburgh is the principal city of the Pittsburgh Combined Statistical Area, a combined statistical area defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Pittsburgh falls within the borders of Appalachia as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission, and has long been characterized as the "northern urban industrial anchor of Appalachia."^[66] In its post-industrial state, Pittsburgh has been characterized as the "Paris of Appalachia",^[67]^[68]^[69]^[70] recognizing the city's cultural, educational, healthcare, and technological resources, and is the largest city in Appalachia.

Climate

Quick Facts Climate chart (explanation), Metric conversion ...

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Climate chart (explanation)

J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
2.6 36 21	2.4 39 23	3 49 30	3.1 62 40	4 71 49	4.3 79 58	3.8 83 63	3.5 81 62	3.1 74 54	2.3 63 43	3.2 51 35	2.9 39 25
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches

Metric conversion
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
66 2 −6	61 4 −5	75 10 −1	79 17 5	100 22 10	109 26 15	97 28 17	88 27 16	79 24 12	58 17 6	82 11 2	72 4 −4
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

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Under the Köppen climate classification, Pittsburgh falls within either a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) if the 0 °C (32 °F) isotherm is used or a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) if the −3 °C (27 °F) isotherm is used. Summers are hot and winters are moderately cold with wide variations in temperature. Despite this, it has one of the most pleasant summer climates between medium and large cities in the U.S.^[71]^[72]^[73] The city lies in the USDA plant hardiness zone 6b except along the rivers where the zone is 7a.^[74] The area has four distinct seasons: winters are cold and snowy, springs and falls are mild with moderate levels of sunshine, and summers are warm. As measured by percent possible sunshine, summer is by far the sunniest season, though annual sunshine is low among major US cities at well under 50%.^[75]

The warmest month of the year in Pittsburgh is July, with a 24-hour average of 73.2 °F (22.9 °C). Conditions are often humid, and combined with highs reaching 90 °F (32 °C) on an average 9.5 days a year,^[76] a considerable heat index arises. The coolest month is January, when the 24-hour average is 28.8 °F (−1.8 °C), and lows of 0 °F (−18 °C) or below can be expected on an average 2.6 nights per year.^[76] Officially, record temperatures range from −22 °F (−30 °C), on January 19, 1994 to 103 °F (39 °C), which occurred three times, most recently on July 16, 1988; the record cold daily maximum is −3 °F (−19 °C), which occurred three times, most recently the day of the all-time record low, while, conversely, the record warm daily minimum is 82 °F (28 °C) on July 1, 1901.^[76]^{[lower-alpha 2]} Due to elevation and location on the windward side of the Appalachian Mountains, 100 °F (38 °C)+ readings are very rare, and were last seen on July 15, 1995.^[76]

Average annual precipitation is 39.61 inches (1,006 mm) and precipitation is greatest in May while least in October; annual precipitation has historically ranged from 22.65 in (575 mm) in 1930 to 57.83 in (1,469 mm) in 2018.^[77] On average, December and January have the greatest number of precipitation days. Snowfall averages 44.1 inches (112 cm) per season, but has historically ranged from 8.8 in (22 cm) in 1918–19 to 80 in (200 cm) in 1950–51.^[78] There is an average of 59 clear days and 103 partly cloudy days per year, while 203 days are cloudy.^[79] In terms of annual percent-average possible sunshine received, Pittsburgh (45%) is similar to Seattle (49%).

More information Month, Jan ...

Climate data for Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh International Airport), 1991–2020 normals,^{[lower-alpha 3]} extremes 1874–present^{[lower-alpha 4]}
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	75 (24)	78 (26)	84 (29)	90 (32)	95 (35)	98 (37)	103 (39)	103 (39)	102 (39)	91 (33)	82 (28)	74 (23)	103 (39)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	61.5 (16.4)	63.2 (17.3)	73.5 (23.1)	81.5 (27.5)	86.8 (30.4)	90.4 (32.4)	91.3 (32.9)	90.3 (32.4)	88.2 (31.2)	79.9 (26.6)	70.8 (21.6)	62.6 (17.0)	92.6 (33.7)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	36.3 (2.4)	39.6 (4.2)	49.1 (9.5)	62.4 (16.9)	71.9 (22.2)	79.4 (26.3)	82.9 (28.3)	81.7 (27.6)	75.1 (23.9)	63.1 (17.3)	50.9 (10.5)	40.6 (4.8)	61.1 (16.2)
Daily mean °F (°C)	28.8 (−1.8)	31.4 (−0.3)	39.7 (4.3)	51.5 (10.8)	61.2 (16.2)	69.4 (20.8)	73.2 (22.9)	71.8 (22.1)	64.9 (18.3)	53.4 (11.9)	42.6 (5.9)	33.7 (0.9)	51.8 (11.0)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	21.4 (−5.9)	23.2 (−4.9)	30.3 (−0.9)	40.7 (4.8)	50.6 (10.3)	59.3 (15.2)	63.4 (17.4)	62.0 (16.7)	54.8 (12.7)	43.7 (6.5)	34.3 (1.3)	26.7 (−2.9)	42.5 (5.8)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	1.0 (−17.2)	5.0 (−15.0)	11.7 (−11.3)	25.4 (−3.7)	35.6 (2.0)	45.2 (7.3)	52.5 (11.4)	51.1 (10.6)	41.2 (5.1)	29.5 (−1.4)	19.3 (−7.1)	9.7 (−12.4)	−1.5 (−18.6)
Record low °F (°C)	−22 (−30)	−20 (−29)	−5 (−21)	11 (−12)	26 (−3)	34 (1)	42 (6)	39 (4)	31 (−1)	16 (−9)	−1 (−18)	−12 (−24)	−22 (−30)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	2.96 (75)	2.62 (67)	3.15 (80)	3.32 (84)	3.83 (97)	4.12 (105)	4.26 (108)	3.52 (89)	3.30 (84)	2.83 (72)	2.86 (73)	2.84 (72)	39.61 (1,006)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	13.3 (34)	11.7 (30)	7.6 (19)	1.0 (2.5)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.4 (1.0)	2.4 (6.1)	7.7 (20)	44.1 (112)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	16.8	13.9	14.0	13.9	13.5	12.4	11.2	10.5	9.8	11.1	12.0	14.6	153.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	12.2	9.3	5.9	1.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.3	3.3	7.6	40.2
Average relative humidity (%)	69.9	67.3	64.1	59.8	63.4	66.2	68.8	71.2	72.0	68.3	70.2	71.9	67.8
Average dew point °F (°C)	17.2 (−8.2)	18.9 (−7.3)	26.8 (−2.9)	34.5 (1.4)	45.9 (7.7)	55.2 (12.9)	60.1 (15.6)	59.5 (15.3)	53.4 (11.9)	40.8 (4.9)	32.4 (0.2)	23.2 (−4.9)	39.0 (3.9)
Mean monthly sunshine hours	93.9	108.5	155.4	182.8	217.4	242.2	254.9	228.4	196.7	167.3	99.4	74.4	2,021.3
Percent possible sunshine	31	36	42	46	49	54	56	54	53	48	33	26	45
Average ultraviolet index	2	2	2	4	6	6	6	5	4	3	2	1	4
Source 1: NOAA (relative humidity, dew point and sun 1961–1990)^[76]^[80]^[75]^[81]
Source 2: Weather Atlas (UV)^[82]

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Air quality

The American Lung Association's (ALA) 2023 “State of the Air” report (which included data from 2019 to 2021) showed air quality in Pittsburgh improving. The city received a passing grade for ozone pollution, going from an F to a C grade, and improving from the 46th to 54th most polluted by ozone smog.^[83]

According to daily ozone air quality data provided by the EPA, from 2021 to 2024, Pittsburgh had good or moderate air quality most of the time.^[84]^[85] Then-Allegheny County executive Rich Fitzgerald said in December 2023 that they’d seen an “80 % drop in hazardous air pollutants” and that they made EPA attainment at all eight county air monitors for the first time in 2020, and then also achieved that goal in 2021, 2022, and were on track for better results in 2023.^[86]

A past 2019 "State of the Air" report from the American Lung Association (ALA) found that air quality in the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV metro area worsened compared to previous reports, not only for ozone (smog), but also for the second year in a row for both the daily and long-term measures of fine particle pollution. In 2019, outside of California, Allegheny County was the only county in the United States that recorded failing grades for all three.^[87]

In a 2013 ranking of 277 metropolitan areas in the United States, the American Lung Association ranked only six U.S. metro areas as having higher amounts of short-term particle pollution, and only seven U.S. metro areas having higher amounts of year-round particle pollution than Pittsburgh. For ozone (smog) pollution, Pittsburgh was ranked 24th among U.S. metro areas.^[88]^[89] The area has improved its air quality with every annual survey. The ALA's rankings have been disputed by the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD), since data from only the worst of the region's 20 air quality monitors is considered by the ALA, without any context or averaging. The lone monitor used is immediately downwind and adjacent to U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works, the nation's largest coke mill, and several municipalities outside the city's jurisdiction of pollution controls, leading to possible confusion that Pittsburgh is the source or center of the emissions cited in the survey.^[90] The region's readings also reflect pollution swept in from Ohio and West Virginia.^[91]

Although the county was still below the "pass" threshold, the report showed substantial improvement over previous decades on every air quality measure. Fewer than 15 high ozone days were reported between 2007 and 2009, and just 10 between 2008 and 2010, compared to more than 40 between 1997 and 1999.^[92] ACHD spokesman Guillermo Cole stated "It's the best it's been in the lifetime for virtually every resident in this county ... We've seen a steady decrease in pollution levels over the past decade and certainly over the past 20, 30, 40, 50 years, or more."^[93]

As of 2005, the city includes 31,000 trees on 900 miles of streets. A 2011 analysis of Pittsburgh's tree cover, which involved sampling more than 200 small plots throughout the city, showed a value of between $10 and $13 million in annual benefits based on the urban forest contributions to aesthetics, energy use and air quality. Energy savings from shade, impact on city air and water quality, and the boost in property values were taken into account in the analysis. The city spends $850,000 annually on street tree planting and maintenance.^[94]

Despite improvements, some studies still suggest that poor air quality in Pittsburgh is causing negative health effects. In a past study conducted between 2014 and 2016 researchers determined that children who lived in areas close to sources of pollution, such as industrial sites, experienced rates of asthma at almost 3 times the national average.^[95] The study also found that 38% of students live in areas over USEPA's 12 micrograms per cubic meter standards, while 70% live in areas over the WHO's standard of 10 micrograms per cubic meter.^[95] Several of the plants were located in or very near Pittsburgh.^[95] The study also noted that most of the effected communities were minority communities.^[95] This had led some residents in Pittsburgh to believe that the continuing effects of air pollution are a case of environmental racism.^[96]

Groups such as Women for a Healthy Environment are working to address ongoing concerns surrounding air pollution in Pittsburgh.^[97] WHE does work such as policy analysis, publishing reports, and community education.^[97] In the summer of 2017, a crowd sourced air quality monitoring application, Smell PGH, was launched. As air quality is still a concern of many in the area, the app allows for users to report odd smells and informs local authorities.^[98]

Water quality

The local rivers continue to have pollution levels exceeding EPA limits.^[99] This is caused by frequently overflowing untreated sewage into local waterways, due to flood conditions and antiquated infrastructure. Pittsburgh has a combined sewer system, where its sewage pipes contain both stormwater and wastewater. The pipes were constructed in the early 1900s, and the sewage treatment plant was built in 1959.^[100] Due to insufficient improvements over time, the city is faced with public health concerns regarding its water.^[101] As little as a tenth of an inch of rain causes runoffs from the sewage system to drain into local rivers.^[102] Nine billion gallons of untreated waste and stormwater flow into rivers, leading to health hazards and Clean Water Act violations.^[103] The local sewage authority, Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, or ALCOSAN, is operating under Consent Decree from the EPA to come up with solutions.^[104] In 2017, ALCOSAN proposed a $2 billion upgrade to the system which was approved by the EPA in 2019.^[105]^[106]

Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) is the city's agency required to replace pipes and charge water rates. They have come under fire from both city and state authorities due to alleged mismanagement.^[107] In 2017, Mayor William Peduto advocated for a restructuring of the PWSA and a partially privatized water authority.^[108] Governor Wolf subsequently assigned the PWSA to be under the oversight of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).^[107]

PWSA has also been subject to criticism due to findings released in 2016 showing high levels of lead in Pittsburgh's drinking water.^[109] Although Pittsburgh's drinking water had been high in lead levels, and steadily rising, for many years, many residents blame PWSA administrative changes for the spike in lead levels.^[110] In the years prior, PWSA had hired Veolia, a Paris-based company, for consultation to help with mounting administrative difficulties.^[111] By 2015, PWSA in consultation with Veolia had laid off 23 people, including halving the laboratory staff that was responsible for testing water safety and quality.^[111] Simultaneously, PWSA in consultation with Veolia had changed what chemicals they were using to prevent metal corrosion in 2014,^[110] from soda ash to caustic soda, without consulting with Department of Environmental Protection.^[112] Anti-corrosive chemicals were being used because many of Pittsburgh's water pipes were made of lead, and adding anti-corrosive chemicals helped prevent lead from seeping into drinking water.^[112]

In 2016 lead levels were as high as 27 ppb in some cases. The legal limit is 15 ppb, although there is not a safe amount of lead in drinking water.^[112] Though lead levels had been rising in previous years, they had not exceeded the legal limit.^[110] In late 2015 PWSA terminated its contracted with Veolia.^[111] In response to the high lead levels PWSA began adding orthophosphate to the water.^[113] Orthophosphate is meant to create a coating on the inside of pipes, creating a barrier to prevent lead from leaching into drinking water.^[113] PWSA has also been working to replace lead pipes, and continuing to test water for lead.^[113]

There remains concern among residents over the long-term effects of this lead, particularly for children, in whom lead causes permanent damage to the brain and nervous system.^[114] Some people also believe that the high levels of lead reflect environmental racism, as black and Hispanic children in Pittsburgh experience elevated blood-lead levels at 4 times the rate of white children.^[114] Water fountains in Langley k-8 school in Sheraden were found to have the highest levels of lead of any schools in the Pittsburgh area. These levels were about 11 times the legal limit. Some residents believe this is due to Langely being a predominantly black school, with 89% of the student body being eligible for the free lunch program.^[115]