Just like there’s a lot more to life than death and taxes, there’s a lot more to the borough of Bethel Park than just its being the final resting place of Andy Warhol. The pop-art icon is buried in St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, and visitors frequently leave cans of Campbell’s soup, bottles of Coca-Cola and Chanel perfume on his grave as a tribute to his most famous works. “There’s a smattering of gifts people have left. If you haven’t been up there, you should take a trip,” says Marsha Timblin, a circulation assistant at the Bethel Park Public Library. A few miles from the cemetery is Bethel Presbyterian Church, which was founded in 1776. When Bethel Park was incorporated in 1949, it took its name from that historic church, where many of its first settlers congregated.
Today, Bethel Park is an established suburban community in Pittsburgh’s South Hills, and as of the 2020 census, it’s home to around 33,500 people. The borough offers a mix of residential subdivisions, shopping centers and parks that are spread out across nearly 12 square miles. “We’ve been in Bethel Park for almost four years. It’s got a very good school district, and a very family friendly feel,” says Dina Castillo, a Realtor with the Coulter & Castillo Team at Compass. “It’s a quiet, established suburban community where you can get a bit more bang for your buck.” While the community lacks walkability, a mix of local businesses and community events bring residents together. “People are friendly with their neighbors, and a lot of people have been here a long time,” Timblin says. “They go to the same stores. They go to the same churches. Lots of different organizations work together when it comes to helping people.”
Bethel Park is about 5 miles from St. Clair Hospital, which is the largest employer in the South Hills. Like other communities in the South Hills, Bethel Park offers suburban living, a highly rated school district and a quiet community with proximity to the urban amenities of downtown Pittsburgh. The Steel City is about 10 miles north and is home to various healthcare, educational and technology hubs.
Wind around the roads of Bethel Park and discover what this area has to offer.
Bethel Park High School is the pride of Bethel Park.
Grab a seat and enjoy the company of your Bethel Park neighbors.
The final resting place of Andy Warhol is in Bethel Park.
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Prices for single-family homes are lower than the national average
Most homes in Bethel Park were built between the 1950s and the ‘90s. Traditional Colonial Revival, ranch-style and split-level homes with a mix of brick and vinyl exteriors are the norm, although there are several custom-built properties in the borough. Newer construction includes the Millennium Woods and Bethel Pines subdivisions, which feature New Traditional homes built throughout the 2010s and early 2020s. Most homes sit along tree-lined streets and offer quarter-to-half-acre lots. The median price of single-family homes is around $300,000, lower than the national average of about $420,000. The value of homes in Bethel Park is increasing, with the average sale price for homes in 2023 up 6% from the previous year. Bethel Park also tends to be more affordable than neighboring South Hills communities like Upper St. Clair, where the median price of single-family homes is nearly $500,000. Townhouse communities are concentrated in the southern half of the borough, and the median price of townhouses is just over $200,000.
Colonial style homes are one of the many home styles in Bethel Park.
Some homes in Bethel Park are close together on long streets.
There are newer homes that wrap around the long hills of Bethel Park.
Bethel Park has some of the most unique homes in the area.
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National Blue Ribbon School in the Bethel Park School District
Bethel Park School District earns an A-minus from Niche and has an average student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1. The district contains five elementary schools, two middle schools and a high school, all of which receive a B-plus or higher from Niche. It also offers an online academy for remote learning. In 2022, the U.S. Department of Education recognized Bethel Park High School as a National Blue Ribbon School for its academic achievements and progress in closing achievement gaps between students. Private school options include Hillcrest Christian Academy, which serves kindergarten through 12th grade and scores a B from Niche. Pittsburgh itself is a hub for higher education, with more than 29 universities and colleges.
Bethel Park High School is the pride of Bethel Park.
Independence Middle School shapes the young minds of Bethel Park.
William Penn Elementary is a great place to learn in Bethel Park.
According to Niche, Abraham Lincoln Elementary School has an overall rating of B+.
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Neighborhood parks, youth athletic leagues and weekly farmers market
Bethel Park lives up to its name with 14 different green spaces. About 78% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, and Millennium Park stands out with 40 acres of green space in the borough’s northeastern corner. It features ballfields, batting cages, a playground and 10 pickleball courts opened in 2024. Next door is the Allegheny Health Network at Cool Springs, a sports performance facility with medical resources and various indoor athletic facilities. Kids can also stay active with youth athletic leagues like Bethel Park Baseball, the Bethel Park Girls Softball Association and the Bethel Park Soccer Association. The Bethel Park Community Center features an indoor walking track, dance studio and programming for all ages. Next to the community center is the Bethel Park Splash Park, which opened in 2024 and features two play areas for both younger and older children. The Bethel Park Public Library has various clubs for teens and adults, while members of the Spencer Family YMCA have access to a fitness center, indoor pool and group exercise classes.
South Park stretches into the eastern half of Bethel Park. The 2,013-acre green space features an 18-hole golf course, a seasonal ice-skating rink and a public game preserve where visitors can see American bison. South Park is also home to Hundred Acres Manor, an award-winning haunted house that attracts over 30,000 people each Halloween season On Tuesday afternoons from May to September, residents gather in South Park for the weekly Bethel Park Farmers’ Market.
Young men practice at Shoot 360 in Cool Springs in Bethel Park.
Residents of Bethel Park stop by to look at the Buffalo at the Wildlife Preserve in South Park.
Cool Springs is one of the best sports facilities in the area and is right in Bethel Park.
Basketball court at Millennium Park.
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The borough celebrates Bethel Park Community Day and more
Community events are a staple in Bethel Park. Seasonal celebrations include the annual Bethel Park Tree Lighting and Summer Spectacular fireworks display. In September, Bethel Park Community Day begins early in the morning with a parade and continues late into the afternoon with carnival games, a petting zoo and other family-friendly activities. Newer additions to the borough’s packed calendar of events include the Bethel Park Art & Music Festival, which began in 2024 and highlights local creatives.
There are several houses of worship in Bethel Park, including South Hills Assembly of God, Redeeming Grace Church and St. Thomas More Church. Home to the Resurrection Parish, St. Thomas More Church hosts an annual SummerFest that brings a week of live music, local vendors and carnival games to the borough.
The St. Valentine Church Festival always draws a large crowd every year in Bethel Park.
Vendors at the Bethel Park Art and Music Festival were pleased with the turnout.
A child rides on her dad's shoulders at Bethel Park Community Day.
The scouts readied the American flag for the opening ceremony at Bethel Park Community Day.
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Shops at the South Hills Village mall and local eateries
Bethel Park is home to a mix of shopping centers and local businesses. In the borough’s northeastern corner, South Hills Village is an indoor mall with over 130 retailers such as Target, Macy’s and an AMC Theatre. Across the street, Village Square Mall features stores like Home Depot and Kohl’s. There are more shops along Pennsylvania Route 88, including Walmart and local businesses like Evey True Value Hardware & Rental. Grocery stores in the borough include Market District Supermarket, Aldi and Shop ‘n Save.
Restaurants line South Park Road in the heart of Bethel Park. Reginald’s Coffee operates out of an old schoolhouse, while Bethel Bakery has been a staple in the community since 1955. Local flavors range from diner classics at Ma and Pop’s Country Kitchen to traditional Vietnamese dishes at Pho Saigon Café. Another standout in the borough is Al’s Café, a wood-paneled bar and restaurant known for its extensive menu of comfort foods. “Another great spot is Spoonwood. It’s a brewery, and they do amazing barbecue meats,” Castillo says.
Stop in to Reginald's Coffee located in an old school building in Bethel Park.
Bethel Bakery is known around the area for having the best baked goods in Bethel Park.
Pho Saigon Cafe in Bethel Park is a delicious treat.
Macy's is one of the many stores residents shop in at the South Hills Village.
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Active Transportation Plan, proximity to Pittsburgh and public transit
While some of its residential subdivisions have sidewalks, Bethel Park is largely car-dependent. In 2023, the borough received a $25,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s WalkWorks program to help fund its Active Transportation Plan and improve pedestrian infrastructure. Future plans include the creation of an interconnected network that will allow for non-motorized travel throughout Bethel Park.
Pennsylvania Route 88 is the main thoroughfare in the borough, and Pittsburgh is about 10 miles north across the Monongahela River. Pittsburgh Regional Transit offers local bus and light rail service to the community. Known as “the T,” the light rail system connects riders to destinations in the South Hills, downtown Pittsburgh and the North Side. “A lot of people choose to be in the South Hills because they want to be able to get on the T and go into the city without having to deal with the traffic,” Castillo says. Pittsburgh International Airport offers domestic and international flights and is about a 24-mile drive away via Interstate 376.
Low crime rates, a four-season climate and flooding mitigation
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, the rate of violent and property crime in Bethel Park ranks significantly below the national average. The Bethel Park Police Department serves the community, responding to about 16,000 calls each year.
Residents in Bethel Park should expect to experience all four seasons. Temperatures typically reach the 80s in the summer and dip into the 20s throughout the winter, although winter temperatures have been rising across the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area. While snow is typical from December through February, Pittsburgh saw just 13 inches of snow in 2023. The average annual rainfall in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area is around 38 inches. As part of Bethel Park’s 2023 Strategic Plan, the borough is committed to hosting recycling events, becoming a member of Tree City USA and achieving recognition from Sustainable Pennsylvania for its ongoing commitment to sustainability.
Small tributaries of the Monongahela and Ohio Rivers wind through Bethel Park, and low-lying areas in the borough have historically been susceptible to flash floods. After flooding in 2018, the borough invested over $1 million into the Thunderwood Drive Flood Mitigation Project. The project was completed in 2022 and will help divert stormwater runoff. As part of the 2023 Strategic Plan, the borough plans to construct a new dam at Pepter Page Park to further improve stormwater management.
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