There is one unique ZIP code in Ford City, Pennsylvania and it is 16226. Area code: 724/412/878.
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ZIP codes
58.56
sq mi land
1.69
sq mi water
724/412/878
area code
Ford City, PA ZIP code map
About Ford City, PA
Ford City is a borough and community located in Armstrong County in the western region of Pennsylvania, identified by the ZIP code 16226. Situated along the Allegheny River, Ford City offers residents a blend of small-town charm and industrial heritage that has defined the region for well over a century. The community is served by telephone area codes 724, 412, and 878, reflecting its connectivity within the greater western Pennsylvania region.
Location & geography
Ford City lies in Armstrong County in western Pennsylvania, positioned along the eastern bank of the Allegheny River roughly 35 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Nearby communities include Kittanning, the Armstrong County seat, located just a few miles to the north, as well as Vandergrift to the south and Leechburg in the vicinity. The borough encompasses a total land area of 58.56 square miles and a water area of 1.69 square miles, with the Allegheny River contributing significantly to its scenic waterfront character and the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania defining its inland terrain.
Community & economy
Ford City carries the character of a close-knit western Pennsylvania river borough, where generations of families have built their lives around local industry, community events, and the natural beauty of the Allegheny River corridor. The local economy has historically been tied to manufacturing and glass production, and while the industrial landscape has evolved over the decades, community pride and a strong work ethic remain defining traits. Daily life in Ford City revolves around local schools, small businesses along Fifth Avenue and other main corridors, and outdoor recreation along the riverfront.
Transportation
Ford City is accessible via Pennsylvania Route 128, which runs through the borough and connects residents to the broader Armstrong County road network and beyond. Travelers heading to major metropolitan destinations typically rely on nearby access to US Route 422, which links the area to Pittsburgh to the southwest and other western Pennsylvania communities to the east. The nearest major commercial airport is Pittsburgh International Airport, located approximately 45 miles to the southwest, providing residents with full-service domestic and international air travel options.
History
Ford City was founded in the late 19th century and owes much of its early development to the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, which established a major glass manufacturing facility in the borough and gave the town much of its identity and economic foundation. The presence of this industry attracted workers and families to the area, spurring the growth of the borough's residential neighborhoods and commercial district along the Allegheny River. Over the decades, Ford City became well known throughout Pennsylvania as a center of glass production, a legacy that continues to shape local identity even as the industrial base has shifted over time.
Did you know?
Ford City is particularly recognized for its deep historical ties to the American glass manufacturing industry, having been one of the notable early centers of large-scale plate glass production in the United States. The borough's location along the Allegheny River also makes it a quiet but scenic destination for those exploring the river towns and outdoor landscapes of western Pennsylvania.
