Pittsburgh

by The Linguist

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Steel City

With a population of 302,407 as of the 2020 census, Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the state of Pennsylvania behind Philadelphia. Nicknamed “The Steel City” for its history of steel production, Pittsburgh has transformed itself over the decades into a hub for technology, healthcare, education and financial services.

History

Pittsburgh was founded in 1758 by General John Forbes, who named the area after William Pitt, the British Secretary of State. Located where the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers meet, Pittsburgh was an ideal location for settlers and merchants. Growing quickly as a commercial center, Pittsburgh officially became a city in 1816. Its strategic location along major transportation routes helped Pittsburgh grow exponentially in the 1800s as coal mining and steel production took off. For a time, Pittsburgh produced so much steel it accounted for 60% of the national output. Major companies like U.S. Steel were headquartered in Pittsburgh. The city also became a railroad hub during this time.

But the steel industry collapsed in the 1970s and 1980s, leading to major population decline in Pittsburgh. Since then, the city has rebounded by growing its economy around industries like healthcare, education, technology and financial services. The population has stabilized and Pittsburgh is now widely recognized as one of America’s most livable cities.

To learn more about Pittsburgh’s history, visit the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

Economy

Once dominated by the steel industry, Pittsburgh’s economy is now diverse and driven by industries such as healthcare, education, technology, robotics, tourism and financial services:

  • Healthcare – Major employers include the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
  • Education – Pittsburgh is home to world-class universities like Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh
  • Technology – Google, Apple, Facebook, Bosch, Uber and other tech companies have major offices in Pittsburgh
  • Robotics – Pittsburgh is a leader in robotics research and development
  • Financial Services – PNC Financial Services, Citizens Bank, BNY Mellon and other banks are headquartered in the city
  • Energy – Firms involved in natural gas, shale gas, renewable energy and energy technology have a strong presence

Major companies headquartered or with major operations in Pittsburgh include:

  • PNC Financial Services – Address: 300 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 – Phone: 800-762-2197
  • U.S. Steel – Address: 600 Grant St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 – Phone: 412-433-1121
  • PPG Industries – Address: One PPG Place Pittsburgh, PA 15272 – Phone: 888-774-2001
  • Kraft Heinz – Address: 200 East Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601 – Phone: 855-598-5227
  • DICK’S Sporting Goods – Address: 345 Court Street, Coraopolis, PA 15108 – Phone: 877-846-9997

To learn more, visit the Allegheny Economic Development Corporation.

Attractions and Landmarks

Some of Pittsburgh’s top attractions and landmarks include:

  • Point State Park – Where the three rivers meet downtown.
    • Address: 601 Commonwealth Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
    • GPS Coordinates: 40.4430° N, 80.0061° W
  • PPG Place – Iconic glass tower downtown.
    • Address: 2 PPG Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
    • GPS Coordinates: 40.4402° N, 80.0050° W
  • Andy Warhol Museum – Largest museum in North America dedicated to a single artist.
    • Address: 117 Sandusky St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
    • GPS Coordinates: 40.4595° N, 80.0020° W
  • Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens – Large complex with Victorian greenhouse and botanical garden.
  • Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History – Part of the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.
  • Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium – Notable zoo with aquarium and acres of wildlife exhibits.
  • Heinz Field – Home stadium of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team.
  • PNC Park – Home stadium of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team.
  • Pittsburgh’s Bridges – The city has 446 bridges, earning it the nickname “The City of Bridges.”

For more on things to see and do in Pittsburgh, visit Visit Pittsburgh.

Public Transportation

Public transportation in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County is managed by the Port Authority. The main public transit system is a network of bus routes. Other services include:

  • The “T” – Light rail system with the Red, Blue and Silver lines.
  • Inclines – Rail tracks that climb steep hills.
  • PATrack – Cable car.

Get more information and maps at the Port Authority website.

Sports

Pittsburgh is home to several professional sports teams:

Pittsburgh is also home to several college sports teams through schools like the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) and Duquesne University.

Facebook

Check out the latest news and events in Pittsburgh by following the city’s Facebook page: City of Pittsburgh

County and Regional Information

Pittsburgh is located in Allegheny County. Learn more about Allegheny County government services and resources at the Allegheny County website or by contacting:

  • Allegheny County
  • Address: 436 Grant St #800, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
  • Phone: 412-350-4100

School Districts

There are several public school districts serving Pittsburgh:

There are also dozens of private and charter schools in the Pittsburgh area.

Additional Resources

For more information on moving to or visiting Pittsburgh, check out these additional local resources:

Pittsburgh Map