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Upper Merion, PA

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Upper Merion, PA

Upper Merion Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The population was 33,613 at the 2020 U.S. Census. Located 16 miles (26 km) from Philadelphia, it consists of the villages of Gulph Mills, King of Prussia, Swedeland, Swedesburg, and portions of Radnor, and Wayne.

The westernmost part of the township comprises the largest part of the 1,300-acre (5 km²) Valley Forge National Historical Park. The township is the home of the King of Prussia Mall, the third-largest shopping mall in the United States in terms of gross leasable area. King of Prussia also contains major office park hosting firms such as Lockheed Martin and GlaxoSmithKline.

The name Merion originates with the county of Merioneth in north Wales. Merioneth is an English-language translation of the Welsh Meirionnydd, itself named after Meirchion (or Meirion), grandson of Cunedda Wledig (b. ca. 380 A.D.), King of North Wales.

The township's incorporation dates to 1713 when the King of Prussia Inn, the Bird-In-Hand Inn in Gulph Mills, and later the Swedes Ford Inn were required to pay 6 shillings to the Pennsylvania legislature for licenses. The King of Prussia Inn, built in 1719, captures the historical flavor of the township. It was named in honor of Frederick the Great but became known during the Revolutionary War as a center of food and drink. An alternate story says the Inn, first called Berry's Tavern, got its name to lure in Prussian mercenaries who spent freely.

Upper Merion Township is a township of the second class under Pennsylvania state statutes. A five-member Board of Supervisors, elected at large for staggered six-year terms, governs it. The Board passes legislation and sets overall policy for the Township. A professional township manager runs the day-to-day operations overseeing the activities of 250 full and part-time employees.

The King of Prussia Inn, Poplar Lane, the Washington Memorial Chapel, Hanging Rock, and Gulph Mills Bridge are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 17.2 square miles (44.7 km²), of which 16.9 square miles (43.7 km²) is land and 0.4 square mile (1.0 km²) (2.20%) is water. Upper Merion has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) and the hardiness zone is 7a. It is drained by the Schuylkill River which forms its natural northern and eastern boundary.

The township places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Bryn Mawr Hospital offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. LA Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. The Upper Main Line YMCA offers comprehensive health and wellness services, including swimming, gym facilities, and wellness coaching. CrossFit MontCo is perfect for those looking for high-intensity training and community support. Explore LSF Pilates for specialized Pilates classes that improve core strength and posture. Upper Merion Dance & Gymnastics Center, LLC. offers dance classes that promote physical fitness. For those interested in martial arts, Personal Power Martial Arts offers classes for all ages.

Top sites in upper Merion, PA are National Memorial Arch, Washington's Headquarters, and the Expedition Escape.

Population: ~36,414 (2025). ZIP code: 19406. Area codes: 610, 484. Elevation: 171 ft (52 m). Area: 17.27 sq mi (44.74 km²).

FAQs

What are the demographics of Upper Merion, PA?

As of the 2020 census, the township was 69.1% White, 6.5% Black or African American, 0.0% Native American, 19.6% Asian, and 3.5% were two or more races. 4.0% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry. The median income for a household in the township was $65,636, and the median income for a family was $78,690. The per capita income for the township was $34,961. About 1.3% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.

Is Upper Merion, PA a good place to live?

Upper Merion Township is a suburb of Philadelphia with a population of 33,664. Upper Merion Township is in Montgomery County and is one of the best places to live in Pennsylvania. Living in Upper Merion Township offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents own their homes. In Upper Merion Township there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. The public schools in Upper Merion Township are highly rated.

What is the history of Upper Merion, PA?

The township's incorporation dates to 1713 when the King of Prussia Inn, the Bird-In-Hand Inn in Gulph Mills, and later the Swedes Ford Inn were required to pay 6 shillings to the Pennsylvania legislature for licenses. The King of Prussia Inn, built in 1719, captures the historical flavor of the township. It was named in honor of Frederick the Great but became known during the Revolutionary War as a center of food and drink. An alternate story says the Inn, first called Berry's Tavern, got its name to lure in Prussian mercenaries who spent freely.

Sources

Upper Merion Township

Wikipedia

Niche

National Memorial Arch, 

Washington's Headquarters 

Expedition Escape

Bryn Mawr Hospital

LA Fitness

Upper Main Line YMCA

CrossFit MontCo

LSF Pilates

Upper Merion Dance & Gymnastics Center, LLC

Personal Power Martial Arts

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