Greene Township

Rolling farmland, fresh produce and a sprinkling of historical charm — that’s what you’ll find in western Pennsylvania’s Greene Township. “This is easy living: There's no traffic, hardly any crime and it’s nice and quiet,” says Susan Daniel, a certified negotiation expert with Howard Hanna and a longtime resident of the area. Centering on the Hookstown borough, this rural township facilitates community connection through lively events celebrating the past and the present with equal vigor.

Whether you’re looking for a country ranch-style home with several acres or a bright Cape Cod with next-door neighbors, you’ll find options throughout the sprawling landscape of Greene Township. Homes closer to Hookstown tend to sit on smaller lots, and the combination of bright colors and whimsical yard ornaments adds character to the streets. Sidewalks are few and far between, but a lack of through traffic and reduced speed limits on side streets means you won’t have to worry about dodging cars when walking to your neighbor’s house. Federal-style homes from the 1830s complement the township’s historic feel, while spacious parcels of undeveloped land leave room for farming or livestock operations.

With only 2,200 people across the township’s 26 square miles, open land is abundant, and competitive prices can be a big draw for buyers. You might find a nearly 30-acre parcel available for under $300,000 — an incredible price considering Pennsylvania’s average of $30,000 per acre. If you’re looking for something more established, though, you’ll still find options at multiple price points. Ranch-style homes with more than 4,000 square feet on 5-acre lots often list for just under $500,000, while two-bedroom cottages with minimal yard space tend to hover around $220,000.

History, however, is priceless, and Greene has no shortage of historical elements. Just off Main Street, you’ll find the quaint South Side Historic Village, a miniature town that preserves and illustrates the area’s history by hosting educational events. Volunteers often don 18th and 19th-century clothing to showcase open-hearth cooking techniques, and wide-eyed children sport huge smiles during live blacksmithing demonstrations. Just south of the village, you’ll find the site of The Hookstown Fair, an annual summer event that’s brought the community together for 77 years and counting. Held in August, this four-day fair features a fireworks display, carnival rides, baking contests and a host of livestock, derby and rodeo events, drawing visitors from all over the township.

Once the fairgrounds close, students prepare to start a new year in the South Side Area School District, in which every school maintains a grade of B-minus or better on Niche. “It’s a great rural school district. They even have Tractor Days when seniors can drive their tractors to school,” Daniel says. Students will attend South Side Elementary and South Side Middle before moving on to South Side High, where they can enroll in helpful courses at the Beaver County Career and Technology Center or join the undefeated varsity golf team.

Kids who’d prefer to play baseball can sign up for one of the local leagues that practice at Mill Creek Community Park, just a half-mile walk from the fairgrounds. Here, you’ll find a paved trail beside the creek bordered by thick oak trees. A large playscape includes climbing elements, slides, swings and colorful spring riders, and the park’s spacious picnic shelter is perfect for weekend picnics or birthday parties. You can also celebrate with an ice cream sundae from Jack’s Diner, a local restaurant and community staple off Lincoln Highway, the township’s main east-west artery. If you’d like to pick up a cake and light candles at home instead, stop at Johnston Market, a local grocer in the heart of Hookstown. You’ll also find home goods and cosmetics at Dollar General. For anything else, you’ll have to make the 13-mile trip east to the Giant Eagle Supermarket in Aliquippa or the 15-mile drive northeast to Beaver Valley Mall.

Although there’s no public transportation in Greene, proximity to the Lincoln Highway and Interstate 376 makes the 20-mile trip to the Pittsburgh International Airport and the 35-mile commute to downtown Pittsburgh manageable. If you’re looking for a rural lifestyle intertwined with history and community, you might be interested in Greene Township.

Written By

Hannah Rainey

Photography Contributed By

Jay Ratchford

Video By

Remi Cox