As with many communities in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, Mt. Lebanon’s residential development coincides with the rise of the streetcar. The Pittsburgh & Birmingham Traction Company began operating streetcars from Mt. Lebanon to the Steel City in July of 1901, transforming the once rural community into a burgeoning suburb where residents could live amongst nature and commute into Pittsburgh’s industrial center. With more than 11 subdivisions planned by 1905, Mt. Lebanon became an independent municipality in 1912. The city saw another population boom in the mid-1920s with the opening of the Liberty Tunnels, which transformed Mt. Lebanon into an automobile suburb. The tunnels connected drivers from the South Hills to downtown Pittsburgh and continue to serve commuters over a century later, with almost 50,000 cars traveling through the tunnels each day.
Today, Mt. Lebanon operates as a Home Rule Municipality in Allegheny County and is home to about 33,000 people. The community spans just over 6 square miles, and while its population decreased by about 3% between 2020 and 2023, it continues to see new residential and commercial development. Mt. Lebanon also boasts an extensive network of sidewalks that connect its residential subdivisions, highly rated schools, 16 community parks and three main commercial corridors. PBS’s “America’s Walking” featured Mt. Lebanon as one of the most walkable small towns in the country, and the municipality's Sidewalk Expansion Policy invites property owners to request financial support for the addition of sidewalks in their own neighborhoods. “If you’re someone who likes to live an active life, Mt. Lebanon is the number one place for that,” says Krista Lorenzo, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty who has over 20 years of experience in the industry. “It has an amazing community spirit, it’s very welcoming and it's walkable.”
About 8 miles south of Pittsburgh, Mt. Lebanon’s walkability makes it stand out amongst neighboring communities like Scott Township, Upper St. Clair and Bethel Park. “It’s a walking community, and it has that small-town neighborhood feel. It’s almost like old-town America in a way,” says Lauren Coulter, a Realtor with the Coulter & Castillo Group. The South Hills are a popular option for those who want comfortable, suburban living within the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area. With proximity to the healthcare, educational and technology hubs of downtown Pittsburgh, Mt. Lebanon is also home to St. Clair Hospital, which is part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network and employs over 2,500 people, making it the top employer in the South Hills.
Mount Lebanon sits in the rolling hills of South West Pennsylvania.
Enjoy all of the action on Washington Road in Mount Lebanon.
Learn about Mount Lebanon at the Historical Society on Washington Road.
Mount Lebanon is a great place to call home.
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Residential subdivisions include the Mt. Lebanon Historic District
Most homes in Mt. Lebanon were built from the 1920s through the 1940s. As a prime example of an early automobile suburb, the Mt. Lebanon Historic District protects the community’s 20th-century homes. “There’s nothing that’s cookie-cutter, and every home has a lot of character. These are basically storybook homes, which people love,” says Coulter. The district has over 4,000 contributing properties, with architectural styles ranging from traditional Colonial Revivals and Foursquares to whimsical Tudor Revival, Craftsman and French Eclectic-style homes.
Outside of the historic district, split-level, ranch-style and Cape Cod-style homes are the norm. The median price for single-family homes is around $420,000, comparable to the national average. Mt. Lebanon is one of the more expensive communities in the South Hills, with the median price of single-family homes in neighboring communities like Bethel Park and Scott Township hovering at or below $300,000. Homes here typically sell after 47 days on the market, similar to the national average of 44 days. There’s also a mix of newer and established townhouse developments, with the median price for townhouses at $420,000.
Mount Lebanon has a variety of residential housing styles.
Colonial Revival homes are on large lots in Mount Lebanon.
Ranch style housing is scattered through the residential area of Mount Lebanon.
Rows of homes line the tree lined streets of Mount Lebanon.
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Highly rated schools in the Mt. Lebanon School District
The Mt. Lebanon School District earns an A-plus from Niche and is also ranked as the second-best school district in the Pittsburgh area. The district has an average student-teacher ratio of 14-to-1 and consists of seven elementary schools, two middle schools and a high school, all of which receive an A or A-plus from Niche. It’s a walking school district, meaning that there is no bus system. “Kids can walk home for lunch or to local restaurants,” Lorenzo says. Mt. Lebanon High School is known for its STEM academy, and 93% of students enroll in post-secondary programs following graduation. Private school options include Seton LaSalle Catholic High School, which earns an A from Niche. There are more than 29 colleges and universities in Pittsburgh, including Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, most of which are less than a 15-mile drive away.
Mount Lebanon High School is a great place to learn.
Washington Elementary School is a public school located in Mount Lebanon.
Mellon Middle School is a "School to Watch." in Mount Lebanon.
The west end of Hoover Elementary School has a courtyard area.
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Abundant green spaces include Mt. Lebanon Park
With 16 green spaces in Mt. Lebanon, 88% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. Mt. Lebanon Park, also known as Main Park, stands out as the community’s flagship outdoor space with various outdoor and indoor amenities. It has a playground, athletic facilities and a 50-meter swimming pool. The park is also home to the Mt. Lebanon Ice Center, the Tressel Tennis Center and the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center, whose facilities are frequently used by local youth athletic leagues. The Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy helps maintain natural green spaces like Bird Park, which includes mature woodlands and an extensive trail system. Mt. Lebanon Golf Course features a public 9-hole golf course, while the Mt. Lebanon Public Library offers programs for all ages.
As part of the 2022 Parks Master Plan and Recreation Center Feasibility Study, Mt. Lebanon is working to improve its recreation center. While officials have not reached a final decision, plans include either expanding the current facilities or building a new recreation center. The plan also recommends adding spray parks, restrooms and accessible amenities to Mt. Lebanon’s smaller neighborhood parks.
Shoot some hoops at Mount Lebanon Park.
The Mount Lebanon Recreation Center is at the heart of Mount Lebanon Park.
Get in the bocce game at Mount Lebanon Park.
The Tennis Courts in Mount Lebanon Park is where locals enjoy athletics.
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A walkable commercial corridor in Uptown
More commonly known as Uptown, Mt. Lebanon’s Central Business District encompasses more than 70 storefronts along Washington Road. “Everything is locally owned. There are no chain restaurants or shops,” Coulter says. The first stage of Mt. Lebanon’s $4 million Vibrant Uptown project was completed in 2023 and worked to improve walkability, accessibility and lighting along the commercial corridor. Planning for phase two is ongoing and focuses on placemaking. Wide sidewalks lead past local businesses such as Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop and Rollier Hardware, a pillar in the community since 1953. Local favorites for dining range from casual spots like Lebo Subs and Uptown Coffee to upscale eateries such as Bistro 19, a New American restaurant with a candlelit interior and seasonal tasting menus. Each Saturday from May through October, local vendors line up along Washington Street for the Mt. Lebanon Uptown Market.
Further south, the Galleria of Mt. Lebanon offers an indoor mall with shops, restaurants and a movie theatre. Across the street is Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar, a Pittsburgh-based chain known for its sandwiches piled high with french fries and homemade coleslaw. There are also smaller commercial corridors along Beverly Road, Castle Shannon Boulevard and Cochran Road. Grocery stores in Mt. Lebanon include The Fresh Market and Giant Eagle Supermarket, and department stores like Target are about 3 miles south in the South Hills Village shopping mall.
Get to Bistro 19 in Mount Lebanon early or make a reservation because it fills up fast.
The main street in Mount Lebanon is full of business enjoyed by residents.
Uptown Coffee is where residents of Mount Lebanon stop for their morning coffee.
Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop is a kids favorite on the main street in Mount Lebanon.
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Seasonal markets and parades along Washington Street
In addition to shopping and dining, Uptown is a destination for seasonal events. The Uptown Winter Market & Holiday Celebration marks the beginning of winter in Mt. Lebanon, bringing local vendors, live music and even Santa Claus himself to the community each December. In October, residents don their Halloween costumes and head to Washington Street once again for the annual Pumpkin Patch Parade, which ends with trick-or-treating at local businesses. Handcrafted goods are on display at the Mount Lebanon Artists’ Market, a two-day festival in late September highlighting jewelry, ceramics and other crafts made by some of the region’s best creatives.
The Pumpkin Patch Parade happens every fall in Mount Lebanon.
Kids walk the streets during the Pumpkin Patch Parade in there costumes.
Residents shop for seasonal fruits at the community Uptown Market.
Dogs are welcome and shop with their owners at the Uptown Market in Mount Lebanon.
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Downtown Pittsburgh is accessible via car, light rail and bus
Mt. Lebanon offers a walkable community with proximity to downtown Pittsburgh, which is about 8 miles north. U.S. Route 19 bisects the municipality and connects commuters to the Liberty Tunnels and Liberty Bridge, which crosses over the Monongahela River into the city center. Pittsburgh Regional Transit provides public transportation, including light rail and local bus service with direct routes to downtown, among other destinations. Pittsburgh International Airport offers domestic and international flights and is about a 19-mile drive away via Interstate 376.
An accredited police department and a four-season climate
According to FBI crime statistics, the annual rates of violent and property-related crimes in Mt. Lebanon are significantly lower than national averages. The Mt. Lebanon Police Department is one of about 175 police departments in the state to earn accreditation from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association for continuously meeting high standards across all functionalities.
Folks in Mt. Lebanon should expect to experience all four seasons, with summer temperatures averaging around the 80s and winter temperatures dropping to the 20s. Winters are rapidly warming in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area, with just 13 inches of snow in 2023. To help combat climate change, Mt Lebanon’s Climate Action Plan proposes that the city reach net-zero carbon emissions before 2050.
Lynne Bingham came to Pittsburgh in 1982 with husband, Craig Bingham who was drafted and played for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 5 years. After two successful businesses, in 2004 Lynne transitioned into Real Estate and has been one of Howard Hanna’s top 1% producers since the start.
From the first year in real estate, Lynne earned the title of Rookie of the Year in the Upper St. Clair office of Howard Hanna. She has maintained the Top Producer designation from that point on, and in 2020 reached new heights, as the #1 Real Estate Agent in the Southwest Region with over $30 million in sales for the year and has continued that path to date.
Bingham has always deemed her marketing background as the key ingredient to her success. “Anyone can list a property but knowing who the audience is and how to get to them, is the most important thing to a successful sale”.
Lynne Bingham is renowned for taking the time to understand each of her client’s needs and desires and translating that into an efficient, fulfilling home-buying/selling experience. Always going the extra mile, Lynne’s attention to detail, hard work, and tenacity keeps each transaction on schedule and running smoothly. She is a leader in the industry and a leader in Howard Hanna. Her work ethic and genuine care for every client is unparalleled.
Lynne has a son, Cori, who owns a successful Commercial Cleaning Company and daughter, Margot, who resides in NYC as a singer/actress known for roles in Boardwalk Empire, The Family on ABC, Barbershop 3, She’s Gotta Have It on Netflix, and New Amsterdam and The Walking Dead, to name a few.
Now working as the Top Producer of both the Collier and South Side Offices, Lynne has formed The Bingham Team with Select Full Time Agents, as they continue to establish and expand their reach in both the Residential and Commercial areas in Pittsburgh.
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.
