Madison Township

Sandwiched between the Redbank Creek to the north, the Mahoning Creek to the south and the Allegheny River to the west, Madison Township is a rural community deep in Appalachia's forested countryside. With a total area of 30.9 square miles, Madison Township has a population of under 1,000 people, offering its residents exceptional privacy and loads of open space. "It’s a small town area," says local Realtor Sandy Bracken of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, who has been working in real estate for over 15 years. "Lots of community stuff goes on in the area with restaurants, bars, pizza shops and a veterinarian not far away."

Along Madison Township's winding, hilly roads, you'll find a wealth of older farmhouses and ranch homes — some of which were built as early as the 1800s. Most homes range between $100,000 and $200,000, though newer builds with several bedrooms can price north of $500,000. Madison Township's housing market is slower with some homes taking between two to three months to sell.

Students in Madison Township are zoned to schools in the Redbank Valley School District. Children from kindergarten to Grade 2 can go to Redbank Valley Primary School before moving on to Redbank Valley Intermediate School for Grades 3 through 6. Both schools earn an overall grade of C-plus from Niche. After Grade 6, students may attend Redbank Valley High School. With a Niche grade of C-minus, the high school offers a wide selection of extracurricular clubs and organizations, from Future Business Leaders of America to a robotics club.

With so much open space, it should come as no surprise that Madison Township offers an array of outdoor activities. Hikers have terrific access to the Armstrong Trail — a 35.5-mile flat trail alongside the Allegheny River. Invite friends for a walk through wilderness or bring your camera and try to capture a shot of a bald eagle in its natural environment. You can also go to Gumtown Memorial Park in New Bethlehem to fish along the creek or even gather for a game of pickup basketball. Local hunters won't need to travel far for a day in the woods. State game land 287 is pocketed just south of the region while game land 137 sits 8 miles to the east. "There are a lot of kayakers as you go down the river and into its shallow portions. There are also lots of pontoon boats, and the river is a stone's throw from restaurants and stores in New Bethlehem," Bracken says.

To buy ingredients for a home-cooked meal, travel 10 miles east to Tom's Riverside in New Bethlehem for fresh meats and produce or pick up other essentials at Dollar General, located 7 miles east off Alexander H. Lindsay Memorial Highway. Additional shopping options can be found 16 miles south at Hilltop Plaza, which includes a Walmart Supercenter and an Aldi.

New Bethlehem contains several popular eateries. Joe's Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant is a staple among locals, offering penne pasta, calzones and, of course, New York-style pizza. Just down the street from the pizzeria, you can pop by Ever Moore's for family-style cooking. The popular brunch spot is one of the area's more recognizable eateries, thanks in no small part to its peanut butter bear statue that greets guests on the way in. The statue is inspired by New Bethlehem's annual Peanut Butter Festival, which runs down Broad Street right in front of Ever Moore's. If you have a sweet tooth, you definitely won't want to miss Widnoon Soft Serve in the heart of Madison Township. The roadside ice cream parlor is revered for its wide variety of ice cream flavors and generous portion sizes.

Madison Township residents can enjoy smooth drives through the countryside with little to no traffic. If you need to get to the city, Pittsburgh is a 56-mile drive southwest. "If people want to take a scenic drive, this is a great place for it," Bracken says. "It’s just a beautiful area."

Written By

Ryan Quigley

Photography Contributed By

Conner Baker

Video By

Dan Mack