The residential use is primarily single-family dwellings with slightly over one percent being multiple-family units.

Another third of the borough exists in the form of open space and or vacant ground, with the balance being made up of industrial, commercial, mining, and farming land uses.

[5] The area was the geographic base of the Peters Creek Rangers during the Revolutionary War.

These parks offer a variety of amenities from various sports fields, tennis and basketball courts, and playground equipment.

The Great Allegheny Passage is a system of biking and hiking trails spanning 150 miles (240 km).

[21] The trail is made of crushed limestone, making it ideal for biking, walking, and cross-country skiing in the winter.

[22] The Steel Valley Trail runs 14 miles (23 km) from Clairton through McKeesport to West Homestead.

[24] At the Clairton Trailhead 40°18′19.44″N 79°52′59.14″W / 40.3054000°N 79.8830944°W / 40.3054000; -79.8830944 it connects to the Montour Trail which is a 40 miles (64 km) loop south of Pittsburgh.

Jefferson Hills is a borough, run by an elected seven-member council and mayor.

[30] The borough has two local papers, the South Hills Record and the Union-Finley Messenger.

Jefferson Hills as a member of the Pittsburgh metro area is served by a variety of local television and radio stations.

The major network television affiliates are KDKA-TV 2 (CBS), WTAE-TV 4 (ABC), WPXI 11 (NBC), WQED 13 (PBS), WPGH-TV 53 (Fox), WPKD-TV 19 (CW), WINP-TV 16 (Ion), WPNT 22 (MyNetworkTV), and WPCB 40 (Cornerstone).

[34] The Port Authority of Allegheny County offers bus services in and around Jefferson Hills.

Additionally, the borough is a short drive away from the Allegheny County Airport, located in the neighboring South Hills community of West Mifflin.

[36] Electricity generation in Jefferson Hills is supplied by both West Penn Power and Duquesne Light.

Republic Services handles the trash removal and recycling for Jefferson Hills.

The police take part in programs such as Drug Abuse Resistance Education in the West Jefferson Hills School District.

The force belongs to TUPPER, in which police from nine nearby communities collaborate, sharing regional criminal information.