City Town Info

Donora, PA


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Donora, Pennsylvania

Introduction to Donora, Pennsylvania

Donora, Pennsylvania, in Washington county, is 19 miles S of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.The town is in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, and as of the 2000 census, it had 5,653 residents.

Donora History

The history of the area dates back to the early 1800s when Charles DeHaas established a settlement by the name of "Pittsborough". This name later changed to "Columbia", and then to "West Columbia". Even though some houses and a post office were built in the 1810s, development of the community gradually waned. For the next few decades, until the arrival of the Union Improvement Company in the late 1890s, lots were sold for very small sums. The Union Improvement Company laid out the town of "Donora" which was officially incorporated in 1901. The community name was derived from a combination of two names - businessman William Donner's, and banker Andrew Mellon's wife, Nora Mellon's. The Union Steel Company set up shop in the region in 1900, and has since grown into one of the largest plants in the United States. This company was largely responsible for bringing about industrial growth in the region. The town also witnessed the infamous Donora Smog of 1948 which resulted in the death of a large number of people.

Donora and Nearby Attractions

  • Carnegie Museum of Natural History
  • West Overton Village
  • Bushy Run Battlefield
  • Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
  • Point State Park
  • National Aviary

Things To Do In Donora

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History showcases artifacts and memorabilia of historical significance, while the Westmoreland Museum of American Art features collections of landscapes, portraits, and still lifes. Bushy Run Battlefield marks the site where the Anglo-Americans won a victory in 1763, during the Pontiac's War. Clayton - Henry Clay Frick Estate, Andy Warhol Museum, Fort Pitt Museum, and Frick Art & Historical Center are some of the other museums and historic sites near Donora. Opportunities for boating, camping, swimming, hiking, and picnicking are available at the Ohiopyle State Park, and Keystone State Park. National Aviary, which is home to several hundreds of endangered and exotic birds, is another popular attraction in the area. Among other places to visit are the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Caddie Shak Family Fun Park, and Point State Park.

Donora Transportation

Air transportation is available from Pittsburgh International Airport.

Donora Higher Education

California University of Pennsylvania, Carlow College, Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham College, and Community College of Allegheny County are some of the colleges near Donora.

High Points

Donora strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Pennsylvania):

CategoryTrophy
Affordability of Rents
(vs. Peers)
Top 5%trophyDonora Affordability of Rents
Racial Diversity
(vs. State)
Top 8%Donora Racial Diversity
Affordability of Property Taxes
(vs. State)
Top 10%Donora Affordability of Property Taxes
Public Transportation Use
(vs. Peers)
Top 17%Donora Public Transportation Use

Comparative Profile of Donora, PA

Comparing Donora to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Pennsylvania (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Senior Citizens1010
Female Share of the Population1010
Age of the Population109
Racial Diversity710
Children Under 5 Years Old36
Well-Paid Single Men33
Male Share of the Population12

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Average Household Size23
Portion of People Married11

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
People in Middle Class or Better33
People Above Poverty32
Median Family Income33
College Educated Adults24

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Public Transportation Use99
Working at Home35
Short Commute Times33
Walking and Biking to Work24

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
People Living Alone109
Affordability of Rents1010
Affordability of Property Taxes810
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals87
Seasonal and Vacation Housing56
Housing Recently Built12
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