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Millvale, Pennsylvania

Coordinates: 40°28′58.69″N 79°58′25.41″W / 40.4829694°N 79.9737250°W / 40.4829694; -79.9737250
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Not to be confused with Millville, Pennsylvania.

Millvale
Borough
St. Nicholas Croatian Church in Millvale
St. Nicholas Croatian Church in Millvale
Location in Allegheny County and the state of Pennsylvania.
Location in Allegheny County and the state of Pennsylvania.
Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
Coordinates: 40°28′58.69″N 79°58′25.41″W / 40.4829694°N 79.9737250°W / 40.4829694; -79.9737250
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyAllegheny
FoundedFebruary 13, 1868
Government
 • BodyMillvale Borough Council
 • MayorBrian Spoales
Area
[1]
 • Total0.68 sq mi (1.75 km2)
 • Land0.62 sq mi (1.60 km2)
 • Water0.06 sq mi (0.15 km2)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total3,376
 • Density5,453.96/sq mi (2,106.58/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
15209
Area code412
FIPS code42-49920
Websitewww.millvalepa.com

Millvale is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, along the Allegheny River, opposite Pittsburgh. The borough is located off Pennsylvania Route 28. The population was 3,376 at the 2020 census.[3]

Current estimates place the 2024 population at around 3,247 residents.[4]

Geography

[edit]

Millvale is located at 40°28′59″N 79°58′25″W / 40.48306°N 79.97361°W / 40.48306; -79.97361 (40.482968, −79.973725).[5]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2), of which 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2), or 9.72%, is water.

Millvale is located at the confluence of Girty's Run and the Allegheny River. Much of the borough is on a floodplain and has been subjected to extensive flooding at many times during its history. In particular, the borough's business district frequently sustains substantial damage.[citation needed]

History

[edit]

Prior to the European colonization, the Millvale area was the starting point of the Venango Path, a Native American trail which led Lake Erie. The Seneca people hunted and fished the lands.[6] The European Simon Girty and his father settled in the area. During a major raid by Chief Tewea of the Lenape and Captain François Coulon de Villiers of the French, Girty's stepfather was taken captive, tortured, and killed. Chief Guyasuta adopted Simon and assimilated him into Seneca culture. Due to his difficulty living with Europeans, Simon settled on the Venango Path near a creek which now bears his name.

18th century

[edit]

After fighting against the British Army in the American Revolution, Girty moved to Canada.[7] The creek on which he settled is now called Girty's Run Creek.

Following the victory of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War, many Continental Army soldiers were awarded land. John Sample was awarded the Millvale area. Allegheny City later purchased 164 acres of the Sample estate to place a poor farm on the site, which ran for twenty-three years. The poor farm brought industry into Millvale, including an 1847 forge that became the rolling mill owned by Henry Phipps. Andrew Carnegie and Phipps later founded Carnegie Steel.[8][9]

19th century

[edit]

In 1849, Herrs Island and the adjacent riverfront land of Reserve Township spanning from its northeastern boundary near Girty's Run downriver to Butcher's Run were incorporated as the Borough of Duquesne, distinct from the modern city of the same name.

In 1857, the Pennsylvania Railroad purchased the right of way from the Pennsylvania Canal System. A massive influx of immigrants searching for work at the nearby railroad occurred at what is now the 40th Street Bridge resulting in the construction of a passenger rail station.[10]

In 1868, Duquesne was partitioned with the downriver portion annexed by Allegheny City, and the land upriver of the northern end of Herrs Island joined with adjacent lands to the north and east taken from Shaler Township to form Millvale.

On February 13, 1868, Millvale Borough was incorporated from parts of Shaler Township and Duquesne Borough with an initial population of 668. It was named after its industry, milling, and location, a valley.[3][5] The borough expanded after the American Civil War and was connected to Lawrenceville via the Ewalt Covered Bridge and a narrow gauge railroad that would become part of Pittsburgh’s trolley system. At the turn of the century, Millvale annexed the Third Ward from the Shaler Township.[9]

20th century

[edit]

At the start of the Great Depression, Millvale was a target of the Works Progress Administration which attempted to reign in Girty’s Run Creek. The borough was also an important industrial center for America's effort in World War II.

Following the conclusion of World War II, Millvale experienced an economic boom and, until 1952, the borough was served by the "3 Millvale" trolley operated by Pittsburgh Railways.[11] America’s energy crisis and the downfall of the steel industries later led to a steady decline in population which continues through the present day.

Surrounding communities

[edit]

Millvale has three land borders with Shaler Township from the northwest to east, the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Troy Hill to the southwest, and Reserve Township to the west. Across the Allegheny River, Millvale runs adjacent with Lower Lawrenceville and Central Lawrenceville. Millvale regularly collaborates with its northern riverside neighbors of Etna and Sharpsburg.

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870668—
18801,824173.1%
18903,809108.8%
19006,73676.8%
19107,86116.7%
19208,0312.2%
19308,1661.7%
19407,811−4.3%
19507,287−6.7%
19606,624−9.1%
19705,815−12.2%
19804,772−17.9%
19904,341−9.0%
20004,028−7.2%
20103,744−7.1%
20203,376−9.8%
Sources:[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][2]

As of the 2020 census, there were 3,376 people and 1,759 occupied housing units, 1,640 households in the borough. The population density was 5,453.96 inhabitants per square mile (2,105.79/km2). There were 2,038 unique housing units, including those currently vacant. The racial makeup of the borough was 88.2% White, 3.6% Black, 0.2% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 6.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.4% of the population.[4]

There were 1,640 households, of which 376 were married couples living together, 250 had a female householder with no marital partner present, 108 had a male householder with no marital partner present, and 906 were non-families. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.93.[4]

In the borough, the population was spread out, with 15.1% under the age of 18, 69.9% who were between 18-64, and 15% who were 65 years of age or older. The borough population breakup by sex is 50.8% males and 49.2% females.[19]

The median age was 42.9 years. For males the median age was 42 years and for females the median age was 49.9 years. 39.08% of Millvale residents had a high school diploma as their highest academic attainment, 11.35% had an associates degree, 14.12% had a bachelors degree, and 7.38% had a graduate degree of any kind.[4]

The median income for a household in the borough was $48,512, and the median income for a family was $66,938. Males had a median income of $39,846 versus $33,024 for females. About 10.13% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of males and 10.71% of females. 9.05% of white residents were below the poverty line compared to 23.25% of black residents and 41.67% of hispanic residents living below the poverty line. The total unemployment rate was 4.3%[4]

Millvale was also home to 134 veterans, 114 of which were male and 20 of which were female. Of those veterans, 47 served in the Vietnam War, 15 served in the Second Gulf War, and 7 served in the Korean War. Millvale had a 23.13% veteran poverty rate and a 19.4% veteran disability rate.[4]

83.07% of residents were born in Millvale, 99.62% were born as American citizens, and 0.38% were naturalized immigrants. There were no reported non-naturalized residents. Of the naturalized immigrants, 100% were Asian in origin.[4]

Culture

[edit]
A beautifully painted depiction of the Madonna & Child among the clouds. On the higher ceiling is a depiction of Jesus flanked by angels and saints.
The altar ceiling at St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church in Millvale painted by Maksimilijan Vanka
Mr. Smalls Theatre, a converted church building made of brick with a peaked roof. It is located on a corner in an low-urban environment.
Mr. Smalls Theatre, formerly St. Ann Church, A nationally renowned concert and event venue
A thin, ornate room packed with fans
Baroness playing inside Mr. Smalls

St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, built in 1901, was the first Croatian parish in the United States.[20] Painted on the walls of the church are the world-renowned murals of Croatian artist Maksimilijan Vanka. Painted in the 1930s and 1940s, the murals were Vanka's gift to the United States.[21]

In the 21st century, Millvale is home to a thriving bar and music scene. One of Pittsburgh's most popular live music venues, Mr. Smalls Theatre, hosts international musical acts of various genres and is a center for cultural activities for residents of both Millvale and nearby Pittsburgh.[22][23] There are also a number of craft breweries and locally owned bars in the area including numerous themed and boutique breweries and bars.[24][25][26]

The borough is host to numerous cultural and artistic festivals including the nationally renowned Millvale Music Festival, Millvale Pride Festival, and the Millvale Days Festival.[27][28][29]

The borough is also host to numerous well known restaurants and food service businesses.

Government and politics

[edit]

Government

[edit]

Since its incorporation in 1868, the government of Millvale is primarily regulated by the Millvale Borough Council. The council, which has seven members, acts as the legislative body in the borough. Members can be elected to a four year term or appointed to a two year term.[30]

The borough also elects a mayor who has authority over policing, veto powers, and tiebreaking powers. Additionally, the borough council appoints a chief administrative officer tasked with carrying out and enforcing council ordnances.[31]

Government offices are primarily located in The Borough Building, which is located on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Sedgwick Street.[32]

The borough is represented in the U.S. Congress by US House District PA-17, in the PA State Senate by Pennsylvania Senate District 42, and in the PA State House by Pennsylvania House District 21.[33]

Politics

[edit]

See also: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Political history

Presidential election results[34][35][36][37]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 38% 673 59% 1,026 1% 28
2016 40% 618 55% 853 6% 86
2012 39% 517 60% 795 1% 22
2008 42% 620 55% 819 3% 43

Crime & law enforcement

[edit]

Millvale is primarily served by the Millvale Borough Police Department. The department is headed by the borough mayor and police chief and consists of four full-time officers and six part-time officers.[38] The borough is also under the jurisdiction of numerous county, state, and even City of Pittsburgh departments including the Allegheny Port Authority Transit Police, Allegheny County Police Department, and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.

Crime statistics per 100,000 residents

[edit]

Pittsburgh statistic as of 2012, US & Millvale as of 2022.

Murder Rape Robbery Assault Burglary Theft Motor vehicle Total violent Total property
Pittsburgh 13.1 15.1 363.3 360.4 812.8 2,438.2 174.3 752.0 3,425.4
National[39] 6.1 40.7 135.5 282.7 500.1 2,310.9 284 457.0 2,826.9
Millvale[39] 0.0 0.0 0.0 110.0 137.6 2,042.8 27.5 110.0 2207.9

Education

[edit]

The Borough of Millvale is served by Shaler Area School District.[40] The district boasts four K-3 primary education buildings, one 4-6 elementary school, one 7-8 middle school, and one 9-12 high school and has 4,162 students as of 2019. The district has a student-teacher ratio of 12-1. It has a graduation rate of 95% (national: 87%[41]), an average SAT score of 1180 (national: 1050[42]), and an average ACT score of 26 (national: 19.8[43]).[44]

The district spends an average of $23,023 per student (national: $12,239) and pays its teachers an average of $87,092.[44]

The school district's athletic department contracts Athletic Trainers and medical services through UPMC sports medicine and provides accessible care and comprehensive injury prevention & recognition teaching.[45]

As of December 2023, the school district is ranked #152 out of 496 total public school districts in Pennsylvania. It is ranked #80 in teacher quality and #135 in quality for athletes. In Allegheny County, it is ranked #21 of 41 districts.[46]

Recreation

[edit]
A Notre Dame style church with twin steeples and a rose window
Holy Spirit Parish in Millvale

Millvale Riverfront Park provides a 1.7 mile bike and walking trail that provides access from Millvale to Pittsburgh's North Shore, PNC Park, and Acrisure Stadium along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. The trail meanders along the Allegheny River, past Herrs Island, the TRRA Millvale Boathouse, and into the Millvale Riverfront Park. Plans for a bike/pedestrian bridge from the Millvale riverfront to Herrs Island has received partial funding from the DCNR and plans to connect the Millvale Trail to points north are being discussed. Access to the Millvale business district is less than half a mile away and restrooms are available. Other park amenities include a beautiful pavilion with riverfront access and a full kitchen, Mr. Smalls Skate Park, bike and boat rental, Millvale Marina, kayak and rowing boat launch access, fishing, a tackle and bait shop, and more. The Riverfront Park is also home to the annual BrewFest in August and the newly launched Harvest Moon Wine Festival in the Fall.[47]

Most recently, the Millvale Community Library has been launched as an all-volunteer effort of community members to take several vacant buildings and lots and turn them into a multi-use space centered on creating Millvale's first public library and associated garden space. This project was launched by community volunteers and Pittsburgh-based non-profit organization, New Sun Rising, in 2007 and has enlisted hundreds of volunteers to help turn this community dream into a reality.[citation needed]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Explore Census Data".
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Millvale, Pennsylvania Population 2023". worldpopulationreview.com. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ Waddell, Louis M.; Bomberger, Bruce (1996). The French and Indian War in Pennsylvania, 1753-1763. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. pp. 5–6.
  7. ^ Butts, Edward (2011). McKnight, Jeniffer (ed.). Simon Girty: Wilderness Warrior (PDF). Toronto: Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-4597-0075-8.
  8. ^ "Henry Phipps Dead". The New York Times. September 23, 1930. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "History | Millvale, PA". www.millvalepa.com. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  10. ^ Schotter, H. W. (1927). The Growth And Development Of The Pennsylvania Railroad Company 1846-1926. Philadelphia: Allen, Lane & Scott. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  11. ^ "Pittsburghtransit.com - The Routes - PCC Operation". August 28, 2005. Archived from the original on August 28, 2005. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
  12. ^ "Population of Civil Divisions Less than Counties" (PDF). 1880 United States Census. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  13. ^ "Population-Pennsylvania" (PDF). U.S. Census 1910. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  14. ^ "Number and Distribution of Inhabitants:Pennsylvania-Tennessee" (PDF). Fifteenth Census. U.S. Census Bureau.
  15. ^ "Number of Inhabitants: Pennsylvania" (PDF). 18th Census of the United States. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  16. ^ "Pennsylvania: Population and Housing Unit Counts" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  17. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  18. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 20, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  19. ^ "Millvale (Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  20. ^ "St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Croatian Church, North Side Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  21. ^ "Home". Save Maxo Vanka. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  22. ^ Lobato, Amaya (May 12, 2023). "Be Gay [Do Prom] celebrated the embattled art of drag". PublicSource. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  23. ^ "Mr. Smalls Theatre & The Funhouse". Independent Venue Week US. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  24. ^ "Burgh'ers Brewing buys into Millvale to build out flagship restaurant and 15-barrel craft brewery". WPXI. June 26, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  25. ^ "Harold's Haunt". Queer Coven. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  26. ^ "Home Grist House Craft Brewery Grinding Out Great Beers". Grist House Craft Brewery. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  27. ^ "Home". Millvale Music Fest. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  28. ^ "PRIDE Millvale". www.pridemillvale.org. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  29. ^ "Insider's Guide to Millvale | Music, Markets & Macarons". Visit Pittsburgh. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  30. ^ "Borough Council | Millvale, PA". www.millvalepa.com. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  31. ^ "How is Millvale Borough governed? | Millvale, PA". www.millvalepa.com. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  32. ^ "Where is Borough Building located and what are the hours of operation? | Millvale, PA". www.millvalepa.com. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  33. ^ "Millvale, PA |". www.millvalepa.com. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  34. ^ EL. "2012 Allegheny County election". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  35. ^ EL. "2016 Pennsylvania general election..." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  36. ^ "Election Night Reporting".
  37. ^ "Precinct Report" (txt). Allegheny County. November 24, 2008. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  38. ^ "Millvale Borough Police Department - Pittsburgh, PA (Address and Phone)". www.countyoffice.org. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  39. ^ a b "Millvale, PA". Niche. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  40. ^ "Shaler Area School District". Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  41. ^ "COE - Public High School Graduation Rates". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  42. ^ "All About SAT Scores: National Average and Full Statistics | BestColleges". www.bestcolleges.com. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  43. ^ Edwards, Halle. "Average ACT Scores by State (Most Recent)". blog.prepscholar.com. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  44. ^ a b "Shaler Area School District - Pennsylvania". Niche. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  45. ^ on, Athletic Training (November 14, 2019). "Athletic Training Facilities and Staff". Shaler Area High School. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  46. ^ "2024 Shaler Area School District Rankings". Niche. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  47. ^ "Riverfront Park | Millvale, PA". www.millvalepa.com. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
[edit]
Preceded by Bordering communities
of Pittsburgh 		Succeeded by
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