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2/15/2025 5:33:52 PM
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Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

Pittsburgh is the county capital of Allegheny County and a city in the state of Pennsylvania. With a population of 302,971 as of the 2020 census, it is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania, the second most populous city in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia, and the 68th largest city in the United States. With a population of 2.37 million, the city is the largest in both the Ohio Valley and Appalachia, the second largest in Pennsylvania, and the 27th largest in the United States. It serves as the hub of the Greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area in Western Pennsylvania. It serves as the hub of the larger Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton combined statistical region, which also includes parts of West Virginia and Ohio.


Pittsburgh can be found in southwest Pennsylvania at the Ohio River's confluence with the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers. Pittsburgh is referred to as both "the Steel City" and the "City of Bridges" because to its significant contribution to the history of the American steel industry and its 446 bridges. A pre-revolutionary fortification, two inclined railways, 30 skyscrapers, and the Point State Park at the junction of the rivers are all characteristics of the city. The mineral-rich Allegheny Mountains caused the area to be contested by the French and British empires, Virginians, Whiskey Rebels, and Civil War raiders, and the city grew as a critical link between the Atlantic coast and the Midwest.


Pittsburgh has been a leader in the production of glass and aluminum, two additional significant materials, as well as in the petroleum sector, in addition to steel. It is also a pioneer in the fields of computing, electronics, and automobiles. Pittsburgh had the most American stockholders per capita and lagged only New York City and Chicago in terms of corporate headquarters employment for a while in the 20th century. Blue-collar people in the surrounding area lost their jobs due to deindustrialization in the 1970s and 1980s as steel and other heavy industries fell. Thousands of white-collar workers in the downtown area also lost their jobs as several Pittsburgh-based corporations vacated the area.


From a peak of 675,000 in 1950 to 370,000 in 1990, the population decreased. However, the region currently boasts renowned museums, hospitals, parks, research facilities, and a vibrant cultural district as a result of its extensive industrial past.


Pittsburgh underwent a transformation after 1990 to become a center for the technology, education, and healthcare sectors. Pittsburgh is home to 68 colleges and universities, including top institutions for research and development like Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, as well as significant medical facilities like the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Among the 1,600 technology companies with a presence in the city, Google, Apple, Bosch, Meta, Nokia, Autodesk, Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM generate $20.7 billion in yearly payrolls in Pittsburgh. 

The scientific agenda has been supported by federal funding. The region has housed the national headquarters for the nuclear navy, software engineering, robotics, and cyber defense. RAND Corporation (RAND), BNY Mellon, Nova, FedEx, Bayer, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have regional bases that helped Pittsburgh become the sixth-best area for U.S. job growth, along with the country's fifth-largest bank, eight Fortune 500 companies, and six of the top 300 U.S. law firms.


Pittsburgh was named one of Metropolis magazine's "eleven most habitable cities in the world" in 2015. In 2005, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2018, Pittsburgh was ranked as the most or second-most liveable city in the United States by The Economist. Energy extraction and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design are major industries in the area. 

 

Geography 

58.3 square miles (151 km2), or 4.75% of Pittsburgh's total area, is made up of 55.6 square miles (144 km2) of land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km2) of water. The center of the city is directly through the 80th meridian west. 

The city is located on the Western Allegheny Plateau ecoregion of the Allegheny Plateau. The Golden Triangle, sometimes referred to as the Downtown region, is formed where the Ohio River joins the Allegheny River after flowing from the northeast and the Monongahela River after flowing from the southeast. The "Point" is the location of the convergence, which is in Point State Park. The city stretches east to the neighborhoods of Oakland and Shadyside, which house several educational, medical, and cultural institutions in addition to the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University, Carnegie Museum and Library, and others. The majority of the city's residents live in the southern, western, and northern regions.


With two-lane highways and steep slopes, many Pittsburgh neighborhoods. The words "hills," "heights," or other similar elements are mentioned in more than a quarter of neighborhood names. 

800 outdoor public stairway sets totaling 44,645 treads and 24,090 vertical feet make up Pittsburgh's steps. There are several steep streets with stairs serving as walkways, as well as hundreds of streets made entirely of stairs. Many are popular with hikers and fitness walkers because they offer views of the Pittsburgh region. 

Many of the city's rivers and hollows have bike and walking routes developed around them. With a continuous bike/running pathway, the Great Allegheny Passage and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath link the city directly to downtown Washington, D.C., which is located around 335 miles (539 km) away. 

 

Climate 

Pittsburgh is classified as having a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) if the 3 °C (27 °F) isotherm is used, or a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) if the 0 °C (32 °F) isotherm is used. There are significant temperature fluctuations between the scorching summers and the cool winters. Despite this, it boasts one of the most agreeable summers among medium and large American cities. The USDA plant hardiness zone 6b includes the city and river valleys, whereas zone 6a includes higher elevations and several suburbs. The region has four distinct seasons: cold and snowy winters, mild springs and fall weather, moderate levels of sunshine, and hot summers. Summer is by far the sunniest season when considering the percent of sunshine that could occur.


Pittsburgh experiences its warmest month of the year in July, with a 24-hour average temperature of 73.2 °F (22.9 °C). A significant heat index results from the frequently humid weather coupled with the average 9.5 days a year when highs exceed 90 °F (32 °C). The coldest month is January, with an average 24-hour temperature of 28.8 °F (1.8 °C) and an average of 2.6 nights per year with lows of 0 °F (18 °C) or lower. Officially, the coldest daily maximum is 3 °F (19 °C), which occurred three times, most recently on the day of the all-time record low, while the warmest daily minimum is 82 °F (28 °C), which occurred on July 1, 1901. The highest temperature ever recorded was 103 °F (39 °C), which occurred three times, most recently on July 16, 1988. 100 °F (38 °C) and above readings are extremely unusual due to elevation and location on the windward side of the Appalachian Mountains, and the last time it happened was on July 15, 1995.


Precipitation is greatest in May and least in October, with an average annual precipitation of 39.61 inches (1,006 mm). Annual precipitation has historically ranged from 22.65 inches (575 mm) in 1930 to 57.83 inches (1,469 mm) in 2018. The months of December and January typically feature the most days with precipitation. Snowfall has historically ranged from 8.8 inches (22 cm) in 1918–19 to 80 inches (200 cm) in 1950–51, with an average of 44.1 inches (112 cm) per season. In comparison to the 203 overcast days, there are typically 59 clear days and 103 partly cloudy days per year. Pittsburgh (45%) and Seattle (49%), in terms of annual percent-average possible sunlight received, are comparable. 

 

Economy 

Since the demise of its century-old steel and electronics sectors, Pittsburgh has changed. High technology, robotics, healthcare, nuclear engineering, tourism, biomedical technology, finance, education, and services are now the main industries in the region. In 2007, the region's technology businesses combined annual payroll exceeded $10.8 billion, and there were 1,600 technology firms. Pittsburgh was ranked as the second-best American city for intergenerational economic mobility or the American Dream in a National Bureau of Economic Research research from 2014. Former factories that have been converted into contemporary office space reflect the city's overall transition from manufacturing to technology.


In the Bakery Square complex, a restored 1918–1998 Nabisco plant houses Google's research and technology departments. In honor of the area's industrial past, some of the factory's original machinery, like a substantial dough mixer, was kept standing. Pittsburgh has been praised as "the poster child for handling industrial transition" due to its successful transition away from its industrial past. In order to revitalize their industries and economic foundations, other large cities in the northeast and the midwest are increasingly taking inspiration from Pittsburgh's model. 

With 48,000 employees, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is the city's biggest employer. 116,000 jobs, or around 10% of all jobs in the area, are combined throughout hospitals, outpatient clinics, and doctor's offices. The city's medical industry now employs more people than the steel industry did in the 1970s, according to a recent analyst's assessment of the industry.


In the area, education is a key economic factor. With 10,700 employees, the University of Pittsburgh is the largest single employer in the education sector.


The Pittsburgh region is home to ten Fortune 500 organizations. They are: Dick's Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS), The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ: KHC), PNC Financial Services (NYSE: PNC), PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG), U.S. Steel Corporation (NYSE: X), Viatris (NASDAQ: VRTS), Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB), and WESCO International (in alphabetical order) (WYSE: WCC).


The regional headquarters of American Eagle Outfitters, Aurora, Allegheny Technologies, Duolingo, EQT Corporation, CONSOL Energy, Howmet Aerospace, Kennametal, and II-VI are all located here. BNY Mellon, GlaxoSmithKline, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Lanxess are a few additional significant employers. The region is home to the regional headquarters for the Northeast United States of the Chevron Corporation, Nova Chemicals, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, FedEx Ground, Ariba, and RAND Corporation. Major non-public businesses with headquarters in the area include 84 Lumber, Giant Eagle, Highmark, Rue 21, General Nutrition Center (GNC), CNX Gas (CXG), and Genco Supply Chain Solutions. Recent evidence of Pittsburgh's technological and commercial influence on the world comes from the region's suppliers and manufacturers of numerous crucial parts for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Over 35 shopping malls, a thriving downtown retail industry, as well as quaint stores on Walnut Street and in Squirrel Hill, Lawrenceville, and Station Square serve as the area's main anchors for retail.


Over 10,000 full-time equivalent jobs are supported by the nonprofit arts and culture sector in Allegheny County, which also generates $341 million in economic activity and nearly $34 million in local and state taxes. 

The city, a pioneer in green architecture, is home to 60 buildings in total, including 10 of the very first green structures. Billions have also been invested in the Marcellus natural gas resources nearby. The 116-year-old Pittsburgh film industry, which is home to the first movie theater in history, is experiencing a revival, spurred on by the annual Three Rivers Film Festival and an increase in high-profile television and film productions. together with the largest sound stage outside of Los Angeles and New York City, the Paramount and Disney headquarters.

Since 1984, Pittsburgh has played host to numerous conventions, including the largest invention trade show in the world, INPEX; Tekko, a four-day anime festival; Anthrocon, a furry conference; and, since 2009, the DUG East energy trade show. 

 

Top News Websites 

Pittsburgh Post Gazette 

The largest newspaper in Western Pennsylvania is the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Follow to stay up to date on news and information from Pittsburgh in the areas of sports, business, entertainment, dining, lifestyle, opinion, and multimedia. 

WTAE-TV Pittsburgh 

Follow to stay up to date on news, weather, and sports from Pittsburgh. Watch WTAE Pittsburgh Action News 4 for all the top stories of the day and more. 

 

Population

Pittsburgh is a city in Pennsylvania's Allegheny County. It serves as Allegheny County's County seat as well. It is the 71st largest city in the United States and the second-largest city in Pennsylvania with a population of 302,152 in 2023. Pittsburgh's population has declined by -0.27% from the most recent census, which showed a population of 302,971 in 2020, and is now falling at a pace of -0.09% annually. Pittsburgh, which spans more than 58 miles, has a population density of 5,456 persons per square mile.


Pittsburgh has a poverty rate of 20.86% and a $72,981 average household income. The median monthly cost of rent in recent years has been, and the median value of a home is. In Pittsburgh, the median age is 33.4 years, 32.6 years for men and 34.4 years for women.


The Ohio Valley and Appalachia's largest combined metropolitan statistical area is located in Pittsburgh, which is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh has gained the designation of the "most livable city" by Forbes and The Economist as well as a reputation for its environmental design. It is known as the Steel City for its 300 steel-based enterprises and the City of Bridges for its 446 bridges, which set a record. 

This can appear contradictory until you realize that Pittsburgh's city limits haven't altered much in a century, whereas Houston, Phoenix, and San Diego continue to annex their suburbs and expand their land areas. Pittsburgh's most recent annexation occurred in 1907.


Pittsburgh's population would increase from about 300,000 to over one million and it would move up to the 9th most populated city in the US, a huge jump from 56, if its city borders were expanded to roughly the same area as any other city in the top 10.


As more people go to the suburbs, Pittsburgh is therefore expanding significantly even if it appears to be contracting on paper. There are currently 2,140 inhabitants per square kilometer in the city, or 5,540 people per square mile. In 2013, there were 1.733 million people living in the urban area, 2.36 million in the metro region, and an estimated 2.62 million in the Combined Statistical Area (CSA).