$122,441Average Value$40Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Franklin is a Wilkinsburg community attracting investors near Pittsburgh
In the center of Wilkinsburg, Franklin is an established neighborhood whose residential streets are just south of the borough’s growing downtown. Groups like the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation (WCDC) are leading the charge to reinvent downtown, just as investors are looking to restore Franklin’s 20th-century homes. “Most of my clients looking in Wilkinsburg are investors doing fix-and-flip sales. That revitalization has been going on for a few years now, and we’re starting to see the fruits of that labor really come through,” says Ashley Pugliesi, a Realtor with Realty One Group Platinum. “Wilkinsburg is an older section of the city. There are a lot of Victorians, and the streets tend to be a bit narrower since they were made before cars were a thing.” While these streetscapes preserve some of Franklin’s original charm, the neighborhood is looking to the future as part of Wilkinsburg’s ongoing revitalization just outside Pittsburgh’s East End. “It’s quite centrally located. Traffic may not always make it time-efficient, but it’s easy to get into or out of the city,” Pugliesi says.
Renovated properties and historically high vacancy rates in Wilkinsburg
Most homes in Franklin were built from the late 19th through the early 20th centuries. American Foursquares, two-story cottages and Victorian-style homes are the norm, and some streets feature brick rowhomes. Several houses have been renovated or converted into multifamily properties, but others need repairs, as Wilkinsburg has historically struggled with high vacancy rates. The borough has received several state grants to help combat the issue, and spots like the Stone Soup Community Garden have brought new life to its vacant lots. Home prices typically range from $30,000 to $175,000, depending on the condition of the property. “Wilkinsburg offers more affordable housing, but it’s very renter-heavy,” Pugliesi says. Nearly 80% of residents are renters, and while Franklin’s overall CAP Index crime score of 5 is only slightly higher than the national average, scores for certain violent crimes are higher.
Franklin is an established neighborhood in the borough of Wilkinsburg.
Single family homes come in all shapes and sizes throughout the urban landscape in Franklin.
1/2
Revitalization projects and local businesses in downtown Wilkinsburg
Downtown Wilkinsburg is reinventing itself with the help of the WCDC. Renovation projects include transforming the historic Wilkinsburg Train Station and Lohr Building into innovative mixed-use developments with leasable office spaces. The latter is also home to the Lohr Gallery, where the Art All Over series highlights local creatives. Local businesses range from longstanding institutions like Kenyon’s Jewelers to newer additions such as Lovett Sundries, a sustainable shop selling all-natural beauty and household products. For the essentials, there’s Dollar General, Save A Lot and Aldi.
The dining scene showcases a variety of flavors. Fireside Caribbean is a counter-serve spot serving up traditional dishes in takeout boxes. Salvatore’s Pizza House & Bar has been part of the community since 1984, and the neighborhood pizzeria proudly displays pictures of Wilkinsburg’s history on its walls. Nancy’s Revival is another standout with classic diner eats and an old-school look. There are more shops and restaurants in trendy East End neighborhoods like Regent Square, less than 2 miles from Franklin.
Friends meet for coffee and conversation at Biddle's Escape in Wilkinsburg.
The Lohr Building anchors downtown Wilkinsburg serves the area as a mixed-use building and home to the Lohr Gallery.
1/2
The Wilkinsburg School District has a low student-teacher ratio
The Wilkinsburg School District earns an overall grade of C-plus from Niche and has an average student-teacher ratio of 10-to-1. It consists of the C-plus-rated Kelly Primary School and the C-rated Turner Intermediate School. The district partners with the B-minus-rated Pittsburgh Public Schools to send middle and high school students to Pittsburgh Westinghouse Academy 6-12, which scores a C-minus. In 2024, the two districts received $15.3 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Renew America’s Schools grant program to help fund renovations at 20 schools, including Kelly Primary, Turner Intermediate and Westinghouse Academy. Renovations are ongoing and aim to increase energy efficiency across both school districts. Franklin is also home to the Pittsburgh Urban Christian School, which earns an A from Niche and covers prekindergarten through eighth grade.
The Pittsburgh Urban Christian School inspires all its students.
Pittsburgh Westinghouse Academy has an overall rating of a C- according to Niche.
1/2
Neighborhood green spaces and community centers near Frick Park
Ferguson Park is a neighborhood green space with two playgrounds, a basketball court and a picnic pavilion. Kids gather in the park each summer for Park It!, a free recreation program running from June through August. In Franklin’s northwestern corner is the Wilkinsburg Public Library, which offers educational and recreational programs for all ages. Two community centers, Hosanna House and Community Forge, also support residents with summer camps, after-school programs and professional development services.
The neighborhood is about 3 miles from Frick Park, Pittsburgh’s largest green space. It covers 644 acres and features everything from playgrounds and athletic facilities to nature trails and an environmental center that offers educational programming for all ages. Franklin also has several houses of worship that represent a variety of faiths, including two mosques and various Christian churches.
Enjoy the many trails that wind through Frick Park.
The Wilkinsburg Public Library is a great place to find a new book near Franklin.
1/2
Summer festivities include the Wilkinsburg Thursday Market
Summer is a popular season for community events. In downtown, residents gather in the Harold Young Sr. Parklet for the borough’s summer concert series and the weekly Wilkinsburg Thursday Market. Wilkinsburg Community Day is another local favorite with live music, food and a bounce house in Hunter Park, less than a mile from Franklin.
The Wilkinsburg Thursday Market is here for everyone every Thursday in the summer.
Friends meet to shoot some hoops on the courts at Hunter Park.
1/2
Access to PRT bus stops and downtown Pittsburgh
Sidewalks allow residents to easily access Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus stops. PRT buses make frequent stops in Franklin and along the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway, a bus-only highway running along the neighborhood’s western edge. For those who prefer to drive, Interstate 376 is just outside of Franklin. Downtown Pittsburgh is less than a 10-mile drive away via I-376, and Pittsburgh International Airport is about 26 miles from the neighborhood.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
John Marzullo,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Ferguson Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Playground
Transit
Airport
Pittsburgh International
37 min drive
Bus
Ross St & Wood
Bus
South Ave & Swissvale
Bus
Swissvale Ave & Franklin
Bus
South Ave & Coal
Bus
Ross Ave & Mill
Bus
Ross Ave & Coal
Bus
Wood St & Ross
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Franklin
US
Homicide
8
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Franklin, Wilkinsburg sell after 122 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Franklin, Wilkinsburg over the last 12 months is $95,128, up 33% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover this captivating three-story Victorian triplex in a PRIME LOCATION, an ideal investment opportunity for the perfect landlord! Featuring two beautifully updated units and one that’s ready for your final touch, you can capitalize on the potential to enhance the property’s value. This triplex comes complete with a spacious yard, a balcony for every unit, all while being conveniently
INVESTORS SPECIAL!!!! Welcome to 1119 Franklin Avenue, this 4 bedroom 1 bathroom property would be perfect for any handyman or savvy investor looking for a property. Needing a full rehab, this blank canvas can be transformed to a personal oasis, an income producing rental/BRRR or a flip. The possibilities are endless with this property given its location near popular neighborhoods like Edgewood
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
John Marzullo,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,664
Median Age
37
Population under 18
26%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$37,397
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$39,209
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
84.6%
College Graduates
19.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.6%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
6''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
63/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
82/ 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.
