Suburb(s) of the week: Sewickley Heights/Hills (Sewickley Hills, Penn: chapel, subdivisions)

[eschaton]

Rather than do all "the Sewickleys" at once, I thought I would do each suburb seperately. Upon further thought, however, I realize there is little reason to do Sewickley Heights and Sewickley Hills separately - as the two small boroughs share much in common.

Sewickley Heights - the larger borough - is geographically fairly large (7.33 square miles) but still has a very small population (only 812). It was first incorporated as a borough in 1935, although the foundation of the modern community began with the relocation of the Allegheny County Country Club to the area in 1902. In the early 20th century it was a truly exclusive area, composed of nothing other than multi-acre estates and the country club. A period of relative decline in the mid 20th century led to some of the old estates being demolished and subdivided, making the area economically more diverse, but it's still the wealthiest town in western Pennsylvania, with the most recent median household income estimate nearly $219,000. It is also the least dense municipality in Allegheny County - due to both the large lot size and that much of the northern half of the borough was never developed - now mostly included in the 600-acre Sewickley Heights Borough Park. The only other thing that Sewickley Heights has which would qualify as an attraction is Barberry Farm - a place that the local notables can stable their horses.

Sewickley Hills is a smaller muncicipality - onlyu about two square miles, largely wedged between Sewickley Heights and I-79. Despite being much smaller, the population is estimated to now be roughly similar (730) - largely because the multi-acre estates are not common here, with the borough being slightly less obscenely wealthy. The southern half of the borough appears to be mostly undeveloped, with most of the population in the northern half. There seem to be some new subdivisions being built on its northern fringes, which is undoubtedly why the census is estimating some growth for the borough this decade.

[WhoIsStanwix?]

Originally Posted by eschaton

A period of relative decline in the mid 20th century led to some of the old estates being demolished and subdivided, making the area economically more diverse, but it's still the wealthiest town in western Pennsylvania, with the most recent median household income estimate nearly $219,000.

In before gg calls blasphemy...

[speagles84]

Originally Posted by WhoIsStanwix?

In before gg calls blasphemy...

Sewickely Heights IS slightly more obscenely wealthy than Fox chapel though

Due to the small municipalities we have in Allegheny County, we do have the two most wealthy towns I'm Pennsylvania in our county.