BUTLER COUNTY
County Offices
124 West Diamond Street
Butler 724-284-5100
www.co.butler.pa.us
Chamber of Commerce
201 South Main Street
Butler 724-283-2222
www.butlercountychamber.com
Major Highways
Interstate 79, U.S. Highway 422, Routes 8 and 68
Recognized as one of the fastest growing areas in the nation, Butler County offers new residents the best of all worlds. Flourishing communities stretch out into expanses of quiet farmland in this region, combining long-established neighborhoods in the heart of town with country living at its finest. The region ranks among the top 20 Pennsylvania counties for agricultural revenue, supporting over 1,100 farms. At the same time, Butler County is home to the world’s largest producer of specialty steel and a diversity of other companies and manufacturers.
An abundance of affordable, attractive housing combined with a convenient lifestyle in close proximity to world-class amenities have made Butler County a popular choice with newcomers. The excitement of Pittsburgh cultural centers and professional sports are waiting less than 35 miles from home, while welcoming residential enclaves of single-family homes are filled with friendly neighbors who smile from porch swings or stop to chat the local market. Beautiful Moraine State Park, the state’s fourth largest, plays a major role in making tourism the second most lucrative industry in the area.
Services
Education has long been a point of pride in Butler County, where the drop-out rate consistently falls approximately one-tenth that of the national average. An excellent educational system provides first-rate instruction from kindergarten through high school and beyond, reflecting an attitude that learning is a lifetime activity. Butler County Community College and the state-supported Slippery Rock University offer continuing education programs to students of all ages and serve the entire community. The university provides expert assistance to start-up firms, and BCCC includes a Business Training Institute.
A well-developed transportation network links the county to major markets of the East Coast and Midwest. High-speed arteries like Interstates 79 and 80 combine with the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the Allegheny Valley Expressway to provide efficient surface transportation. Two hospitals anchor the healthcare services and facilities throughout the county: the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center and Butler Memorial Hospital. The latter is the flagship facility of the Butler Health System, committed to delivering state-of-the-art healthcare services in a caring, community-oriented atmosphere.
Lifestyle
Life in Butler County blends the relaxed setting of rural America with the rich resources of metropolitan Pittsburgh. Small towns dot the region, creating a friendly atmosphere where friends and neighbors mingle in intimate shopping districts or arrive in force to cheer on the local athletic teams. Route 19 is especially known for the cluster of antique dealers who offer a diversity of treasures and collectibles. Residents of this area are fortunate to have picturesque Moraine State Park as their own “backyard playground.” Featuring lovely Lake Arthur and exceptional trails, the area supports recreational activities that include picnicking, swimming, fishing, boating, hiking and biking, camping, nature study, hunting, and winter sports.
Aficionados of the arts can choose between the professional artistry presented in magnificent Pittsburgh venues or the finest of amateur talent in local theaters and community centers. Organizations like the Butler Little Theatre Group, Musical Theatre Guild, and the Red Barn Theatre combine with wonderful museums and historic sites in welcoming communities, while Slippery Rock University and Butler County Community College enrich the area with special events, concerts, and live stage performances. From blur of Lernerville Speedway to the slow pace of country living, Butler County has the right ingredients for an unparalleled quality of life.
Cranberry Township
Municipal Offices
724-776-4806
www.twp.cranberry.pa.us
Chamber of Commerce
724-776-4949
www.cranberrychamber.com
Situated in the southwestern part of the county, Cranberry Township is one of the fastest-growing communities in the nation. The township experienced its first surge of growth with the construction of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and major interstates in the 1950s. Low property taxes, lovely new housing developments, and an enviable quality of life are the primary magnets to this region of former farmland. Route 19 cuts directly through the township, adding another dimension of accessibility to a scenic township already well served by regional superhighways. Cranberry holds a strong appeal for families because of highly developed amenities like a 52-acre park, indoor soccer facility, active Parks & Recreation Department, and new shopping centers including the Cranberry Mall.
Buffalo, Penn, Clinton, Jefferson, Saxonburg
Municipal Offices
Buffalo Township
724-295-2648
http://buffalotownship.com
Jefferson Township
724-352-2324
http://jeffersonbutler.com
Penn Township
724-586-1165
www.penntownship.org
Saxonburg Borough
724-352-1400
www.saxonburgpa.com
Chamber of Commerce
724-283-2222
www.butlercountychamber.com
Also encompassing the townships of Clinton and Winfield, the rural communities in the southeastern quadrant of Butler County provide an opportunity for a more relaxed lifestyle in over 100 total square miles of picturesque countryside. This area is home to approximately 17,000 residents who enjoy the close proximity to suburban centers like Butler or a major metropolis like Pittsburgh. Major highways and interstates such as State Routes 8, 28, 356, and 228; US Route 422; and Interstates 76 and 79 ensure quick and convenient travel to regional destinations. Each community offers a diversity of affordable housing options that range from well-kept older homes to lovely new construction with ample acreage. Jefferson Township is one of the richest agricultural subdivisions in the county, situated on the Allegheny county line just west of Buffalo. Saxonburg Borough in Clinton Township claims a heritage of musical appreciation and a history of impressive brass bands.
Evans City Borough
Municipal Offices
724-538-8320
http://evanscity.us
Chamber of Commerce
724-283-2222
www.butlercountychamber.com
Evans City is a small hamlet of rolling hills and lush forests that provide residents with the ambiance of a small town and an attractive selection of older and newer homes in a variety of architectural styles and price ranges. A number of regional parks provide recreational facilities, including the 52-acre expanse of nearby Cranberry Community Park. The Evans City Sportsman Club is one of the active groups that brings together friends and neighbors. Living in close proximity to the fast-growing Cranberry Township adds a number of expanded amenities for Evans City residents, including the popular retail destination of Cranberry Mall.
Middlesex, Adams, Mars
Municipal Offices
Mars Borough
724-625-1858
www.marsborough.com
Middlesex Township
724-898-3571
www.middlesextownship.org
Adams Township
724-625-2221
www.adamstwp.org
Chamber of Commerce
724-283-2222
www.butlercountychamber.com
Although less than a square mile in size and equally modest in population, Mars has such enduring appeal that families who establish homes here rarely leave the area. Even though Mars has successfully preserved its image as a close-knit, self-contained hamlet of tree-shaded neighborhoods, residents enjoy the convenience of close proximity to regional services and facilities. Mars takes great pride in its deeply rooted neighborhoods, where well-kept homes and mature greenery create an ambiance reminiscent of early America. A substantial business district is located in the center of the borough. Middlesex Township provides a sprawling expanse of land for new construction on generous lots, attracting newcomers to its open atmosphere and lovely homes. Adams Township is another rural community that offers easy access to Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Rolling hills and large parcels of land encourage the construction of large homes in beautiful new residential developments. Residents of this area enjoy abundant recreational opportunities including nearby lakes, an excellent public school district, and professional medical centers.
Butler City, Butler Township, Center, Summit
Municipal Offices
Butler City
724-285-4124
http://cityofbutler.org
Butler Township
724-283-3430
www.butlertwp.org
Center Township
724-282-7805
http://centertownship.net
Summit Township
724-285-1168
http://summittwp.org
Chamber of Commerce
724-283-2222
www.butlercountychamber.com
The City of Butler surrounded by Butler Township fittingly anchors the Butler County, all three named after American Revolutionary General Richard Butler. With the advent of the railroad in the late 1800s, Butler transformed into a vital center for commerce, industry, banking and transportation. Today, the city’s historic legacy remains important to the community’s character and appeal. In addition to quaint older homes in the heart of town, the area represents a flourishing and continually growing commercial and residential center. The Pullman Square Shopping Mall is just one example of the new shops, industries, and businesses that are revitalizing the local economy. Suburban homes are often situated on sprawling lots that offer an acre or more of land in centrally located townships of Butler, Center, and Summit. Local parks and other recreational facilities provide sports play, green space and picnic shelters.
