How old are the homes in Pittsburgh, PA?

82.9% (±1.6 points) of the homes in Pittsburgh, PA were built before 1980 (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

48.3% were built before 1940.

6.2% were built in 2010 or later.

Figures last updated on .

Built before 1980
82.9% (±1.6 points)
Built before 1940
48.3%
Built 2010 or later
6.2%

When the homes in Pittsburgh were built

Housing units by year structure built, 2020–2024
Year builtPittsburghAllegheny CountyPennsylvaniaUnited States
2020 or later1.0% (±0.2 points)0.8%1.0%2.0%
2010 to 20195.2% (±0.5 points)4.8%5.1%9.4%
2000 to 20093.5% (±0.4 points)4.9%8.1%13.6%
1990 to 19993.1% (±0.3 points)5.5%8.9%12.4%
1980 to 19894.3% (±0.4 points)6.8%9.6%12.9%
1970 to 19796.6% (±0.6 points)10.6%12.4%14.2%
1960 to 19697.5% (±0.5 points)12.0%9.9%9.9%
1950 to 195912.8% (±0.7 points)17.7%13.0%9.5%
1940 to 19497.7% (±0.6 points)8.6%7.0%4.4%
1939 or earlier48.3% (±1.0 points)28.1%25.0%11.7%

In Pittsburgh, the share of homes built before 1980 is higher than in Allegheny County (77.0%).

It is also higher than in Pennsylvania (67.3%).

It is higher than the national figure (49.7%).

In Allegheny County, Pittsburgh ranks 76 of 128 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of homes built before 1980.

Statewide, it ranks 605 of 2,558.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Why the age of a home matters: lead-based paint

Federal law treats housing built before 1978 as likely to contain lead-based paint.

Before a lease or sale of most pre-1978 housing, the landlord or seller must disclose any known lead-based paint and hazards and give the tenant or buyer the EPA pamphlet (42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR part 745, subpart F; 24 CFR part 35, subpart A).

A contractor paid to renovate, repair or paint a pre-1978 home must be a certified firm, use a certified renovator and follow lead-safe work practices under the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (40 CFR part 745, subpart E) whenever the job disturbs more than 6 square feet of painted surface in a room or more than 20 square feet outside; window replacement and demolition always count (40 CFR 745.83).

Certification comes from EPA, or from the state where EPA has authorized the state to run the program.

The Census Bureau groups construction by decade, so the share built before 1978 lies between the share built before 1970 (76.3%) and the share built before 1980 (82.9%).

Homes built before 1980 in places near Pittsburgh

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Pittsburgh
PlaceDistanceHomes built before 1980Compared with this place
Pittsburgh—82.9% (±1.6 points)—
Mount Oliver2.0 mi92.8% (±14.1 points)Not measurably different
Millvale2.9 mi88.2% (±11.7 points)Not measurably different
Reserve Township3.2 mi84.8% (±10.5 points)Not measurably different
Etna4.1 mi86.0% (±12.8 points)Not measurably different
Homestead4.1 mi71.8% (±14.4 points)Not measurably different
Baldwin4.4 mi86.2% (±6.9 points)Not measurably different
Green Tree4.4 mi77.7% (±12.9 points)Not measurably different
Dormont4.5 mi96.9% (±6.9 points)Higher

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Dormont, PA (96.9%).

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Homes built before 1980 across Allegheny County, place by place

RankPlaceHomes built before 1980
70Springdale85.9% (±9.7 points)
71Forward Township (Allegheny County)85.8% (±17.8 points)
72Sharpsburg85.7% (±13.9 points)
73Reserve Township84.8% (±10.5 points)
74Frazer Township84.5% (±13.5 points)
75Whitehall84.0% (±7.5 points)
76Pittsburgh82.9% (±1.6 points)
77East Deer Township82.6% (±11.9 points)
78Shaler Township82.3% (±6.2 points)
79Elizabeth Township (Allegheny County)82.2% (±8.8 points)
80 (tie)Castle Shannon81.0% (±10.5 points)
80 (tie)Glenfield81.0% (±23.3 points)
82 (tie)Blawnox80.2% (±14.0 points)

Showing 13 of 128 places in Allegheny County, ranked from highest to lowest.

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Pittsburgh

How old are most homes in Pittsburgh?

82.9% of homes in Pittsburgh, PA were built before 1980 (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

Do homes in Pittsburgh need a lead paint disclosure?

A home built before 1978 does, before it is rented or sold, unless an exemption applies (42 U.S.C. § 4852d); between 76.3% and 82.9% of homes in Pittsburgh were built before then.

Does a contractor need lead certification to work on older homes in Pittsburgh?

Yes, when the job disturbs more than 6 square feet of paint in a room or 20 square feet outside, or replaces a window: the firm must be certified and a certified renovator must direct the work under the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (40 CFR part 745, subpart E).

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) for Pittsburgh city, Pennsylvania (place:61000, in state:42).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0017PE, DP04_0017PM, DP04_0018PE, DP04_0018PM, DP04_0019PE, DP04_0019PM, DP04_0020PE, DP04_0020PM, DP04_0021PE, DP04_0021PM, DP04_0022PE, DP04_0022PM, DP04_0023PE, DP04_0023PM, DP04_0024PE, DP04_0024PM, DP04_0025PE, DP04_0025PM, DP04_0026PE, DP04_0026PM

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.

Figures last updated on .

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