Tucked into the northwestern corner of Butler County, Mercer Township offers a slower pace of life in its country homes, family-owned farms and verdant landscapes. “We’re a rural community with industrial and agricultural occupations. I really enjoy the peace and quiet of living in the country,” says John Bennett Jr., the Chairman of Supervisors in Mercer Township. Beyond its rustic nature, the township embraces a small-town feel and is sparsely populated by just over 1,000 people. “The people that live here were usually born and raised here. This is a community where neighbors help neighbors,” Bennett says. Mercer Township surrounds the borough of Harrisville, where residents will find local events and beloved mom-and-pop shops that are ingrained into the fabric of the community.
The borough's town center is anchored by Pennsylvania Routes 8 and 58, which intersect in the heart of the township and provide access to the rest of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area and beyond – including neighboring communities like Grove City and Slippery Rock. “The nice thing about the township is that it's comparable to Grove City, but once you head over towards Mercer Township and Harrisville, you get lower prices and more of a rural feel,” says Mason Carson, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty and lifelong resident of Butler County. “It’s got more of a quaint, country setting,” he adds, citing a recent listing in the township that borders a cornfield. “You don’t have neighbors right next to you,” Carson says.
Locally owned businesses in the borough of Harrisville
Shops and restaurants are scattered along PA 8, also known as William Flynn Highway. Wide sidewalks line the thoroughfare, and most businesses are concentrated in the borough of Harrisville. Willie’s Smokehouse is known for its hickory-smoked meats and cheeses, while Henry’s Meat Market has served as a local butcher shop since 1959. Residents can grab the essentials at Dollar General or head to local beauty salons like Lisa’s Family Hairstyling. Dining options include Family Tradition Restaurant, an old-fashioned diner serving homestyle comfort foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hughes Penn Gold Ice Cream is a go-to for dessert, and the shop has been in the same family for four generations. PA 58 leads about 6 miles east into the borough of Grove City, where the Grove City Premium Outlets feature over 120 brand-name stores. The borough also offers access to chain retailers like Walmart and Aldi. Back in town, local homesteads like Crighton Family Farms supply the community with seasonal produce and homemade maple syrup. “There are generational farms that’ll sometimes set up pop-up tents and sell corn, tomatoes and that kind of stuff,” Carson says. There are also several houses of worship off William Flynn Highway, including Harmony Evangelical Presbyterian Church and Harrisville United Methodist Church.
Mercer Township locals enjoy stopping by Hughes Penn Gold for snacks, lunch and Ice Cream.
Mercer Township locals make a short drove to Grove City Premium Outlets.
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Parades, festivals and more along Mercer Street
Locally known as Mercer Street, PA 58 is a destination for community events. “We have a lot of festivals and small events here, and sometimes they even block off the main street and have all kinds of vendors,” Bennett says. Each Fourth of July, Harrisville Community Day brings a parade, live music and a dazzling fireworks display to Mercer Street. The Harrisville Volunteer Fire Company also hosts seasonal festivities for residents, such as a Fall Festival and Spring Craft Bazaar.
Traditional farmhouses and ranch-style homes
Most homes are centered around Harrisville. The borough features a mix of traditional farmhouses, ranch-style homes and two-story cottages with quarter-acre lots. Further from Harrisville, country roads branch off Pennsylvania Routes 8 and 58. The township is sparsely populated by sprawling ranch-style homes and rustic estates with several acres of land, some of which offer enough acreage for a small homestead. Home prices typically range from $130,000 to $450,000, although larger properties can fetch upwards of $600,000. “The nice thing about the township is that you’re so close to Slippery Rock and Grove City, but the prices are typically lower than they are in the rest of the school district,” Carson says. The average value of homes in Mercer Township is about $185,000, while neighboring communities like Slippery Rock and Grove City average upwards of $220,000. This quiet township has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Ranch style houses are a great starter home for residents in Mercer Township.
There are many home styles for buyers to choose from in Mercer Township.
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Dual-enrollment program at Slippery Rock Area High School
Mercer Township is served by the Slippery Rock Area School District, which earns a B from Niche and has an average student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1. Kids can begin their education at the A-minus-rated Slippery Rock Area Elementary School before moving on to Slippery Rock Area Middle School, which receives a B-plus. Slippery Rock Area High School scores a B-minus, and high schoolers can enroll in one of five career-oriented pathways: Arts and Communications, Business, Finance and Informational Technology, Engineering Industrial Technology, Human Services and Science and Health. The high school also partners with the University of Pittsburgh’s College in High School Program to offer several college-level courses on its campus. Pitt’s classes are offered at a discounted rate, and students can earn high school and college credit simultaneously. Slippery Rock University is about 5 miles south of Mercer Township and offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs.
Slippery Rock Area Elementary School is a fun and safe place for students to learn.
Slippery Rock Area High School provides several athletic options for students to choose from.
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Playground and skatepark at Harrisville Community Park
Tucked behind a row of homes along William Flynn Highway, Harrisville Community Park features three ballfields, a playground and an asphalt skatepark. A paved path loops around the park and attracts walkers, runners and cyclists. The township is less than 5 miles from Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest, a seasonal campground where visitors can rent cabins, yurts and RV or tent sites. The campground features a variety of amenities, including an outdoor waterpark and an 18-hole mini golf course. Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest is also a destination for seasonal festivities such as the Carnival of Dreams and Halloween Weekends. Residents are about 10 miles from State Game Lands 151, a popular hunting spot where native game includes deer, wild turkey and waterfowl.
Harrisville Community Park has many ameneties for locals to enjoy in Mercer Township.
Mercer Township hunters are 10 miles away from State Game Lands 151.
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Interstate 79 connects residents to Pittsburgh
Mercer Township lacks public transportation and is heavily car-dependent. Pennsylvania Routes 8 and 58 provide access to nearby communities like Grove City, and PA 58 leads about 7 miles west to ANH Grove City Hospital. Interstate 79 is about 10 miles west of the township, and residents can hop on the interstate and drive 55 miles south to Pittsburgh or 60 miles to Pittsburgh International Airport.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Memorial Park
Slippery Rock Parks & Recreation
Grove City Park
Harrisville Park
Cunningham Mill Park
Oakridge Pointing Dog Club
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Mercer Township
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Mercer Township, Harrisville sell after 142 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Mercer Township, Harrisville over the last 12 months is $276,225, down 37% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
The Perfect Opportunity To Build The Home Of Your Dreams In Slippery Rock School District Awaits! This almost 20 acres is a picturesque park like setting, very private, & only 1 minute from downtown Harrisville. 767' estimated of frontage on Frampton Rd. already cleared & level making the perfect flat & level build site for your new home. 1638' estimated for depth taking you back to your private
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brandon Simmons,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
984
Median Age
45
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
19.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.2%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$57,567
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$74,825
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
91.1%
College Graduates
17.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.4%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
47''
Average Winter Low Temperature
18°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
52''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
16/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
15/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
