Location
The Borough of Wilkinsburg is located in the east central portion of
Allegheny County. It is 2.1 square miles and is also located at nine miles
east of downtown Pittsburgh. Wilkinsburg is surrounded by the communities
of Penn Hills to the north, Churchill and Forest Hills to the east, and
Edgewood and Braddock Hills to the south.
One of the assets of the Borough is the location. The Borough is close
to the amenities of the City of Pittsburgh. It also had a good transportation
network via the parkway and the US Routes 22 and 30. The Martin Luther
King Jr. Busway connects the residents to the Downtown Pittsburgh.
Wilkinsburg is also located near to educational facilities and shopping centers
(Monroeville Mall and Edgewood Town Center.)
Demographics
The population has decreased by 21.3% between 1970 and 1990. In the
same period Allegheny Counties population decreased by 16.7%. In evaluating
their racial mix of the Borough in 1990, we find that 52.5% of the population
is African-American while 44.7% is Caucasian. This shows that the racial
mix in the Borough is almost evenly distributed which can be considered
and asset. This is one of the few areas in Allegheny County that has this
racial mix.
The white population is concentrated in the 25-44 age group in the case
of males and in the 65 and over for the females. On the other hand, African
Americans are relatively younger population, more than 50 percent of male
blacks are 34 years or younger while 47% of African American Females belong
to that age group. In comparison with the average of Allegheny County and
the State of Pennsylvania the population distribution is similar. However,
the percentage of white females over 75 years are higher in Wilkinsburg.
As far as education goes, the distribution of education attainment in
the Borough of Wilkinsburg is similar to Allegheny County's one. Thus,
8.7% of the Borough's population possess graduate or professional degrees
while Allegheny County's population posses 8.5% with the same educational
attainment. Also, 17.9% and 14.7% of the Wilkinsburg and Allegheny County
population respectively have at least some college. Proper training and
job opportunities can take advantage of these characteristic described
above.
Affordable Housing
Another asset of the Borough is the presence of affordable housing. This is
an asset because it presents an opportunity to new buyers who are looking for
a home. It allows low-moderate income families to become home buyers which may
provide them with a greater stability.
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