Abington Township | |
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 Interactive map outlining Abington, Pennsylvania | |
 Location of Abington Township inMontgomery County, Pennsylvania | |
  Abington Township Abington Township (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:40°06′00″N75°05′59″W / 40.10000°N 75.09972°W /40.10000; -75.09972[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Montgomery |
| First Established | 1704 |
| Incorporated | 1704 |
| Government | |
| • President of the Board of Commissioners | Thomas Hecker |
| Area | |
• Total | 15.52 sq mi (40.2 km2) |
| • Land | 15.52 sq mi (40.2 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 282 ft (86 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 58,502 |
• Estimate (2022-07-01)[5] | 58,460 |
| • Density | 3,769/sq mi (1,455/km2) |
| Demonym | Abingtonian |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 19001, 19006, 19027, 19038, 19046, 19090 |
| Area codes | 215, 267, and 445 |
| FIPS code | 42-091-00156 |
| Website | abingtonpa.gov |
Abington Township is atownship inMontgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is adjacent toPhiladelphia's northern fringe.[6] The population was 58,502 as of the2020 census, making it the second most populous township in Montgomery County afterLower Merion Township. Thepopulation density is 3603.3 per square mile (1,377/km2), making it the second most densely populated township in Montgomery County afterCheltenham Township.
Abington Township is one of Montgomery County's oldest communities, dating back before 1700 and being incorporated in 1704.[7] It is home to some of the county's oldest transportation routes, industries and churches. Many of these older business and transportation centers were the forerunners of modern Abington. Abington contains theWillow Grove Park Mall, several small businesses, and a few of Montgomery County's largest employers.[2]
The land that comprises Abington today was purchased from the nativeLenape byWilliam Penn during the 1680s. By the next decade, a handful of European settlers built and lived in Hill Township, at the crossroads of Susquehanna Street Road and Old York Road. After brief times under other names, the township incorporated as Abington in 1704. The town's name is likely taken from parishes inEngland formed over 900 years ago inNorthamptonshire orCambridgeshire.[8] A local 1734 census counted 42 resident landowners.[9] During theAmerican Revolutionary War, there was a small battle that took place at Edge Hill.
Some institutions have been in Abington for most of its existence. The cornerstone of the originalAbington Friends School, in operation since before Abington's incorporation, is used in today's school building. The AbingtonPresbyterian Church opened in the early years of the township, and while the original building is gone, its graveyard is still used today.
The railroad reached the township in 1855,[6] with the first station building erected in 1873 on the site of today'sNoble Station.[8]
Abington Township High School andFox Chase Farm are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[10]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 15.5 square miles (40 km2), of which 15.4 square miles (40 km2) is land.
Abington Township comprises seventeen "communities":
The communities are unofficial, unincorporated subdivisions of the township, corresponding roughly to voting districts and elementary school placement. Their primary importance, aside from community identity, is the postal system (e.g., to send a letter to someone living in the Glenside community, the letter would be addressed to Glenside, Pennsylvania rather than Abington Township, Pennsylvania). Additionally, some portions of some of these subdivisions, including Ardsley, Glenside, Huntingdon Valley, Jenkintown, North Hills, Willow Grove, and Elkins Park, are actually in neighboring townships or boroughs.[2]
Local civic associations include Crestmont Civic Association, Glenside Gardens Civic Association, Hollywood Civic Association, Lower Huntingdon Valley Civic Association, McKinley Civic Association, Rydal-Meadowbrook Civic Association and Tall Trees Association. The civic associations work together on Traffic Summits in even years (2012, 2014, 2016, etc.) and Economic Summits in odd years (2013, 2015, 2017, etc.). These events focus on eliminating traffic congestion that interferes with the growth of businesses in the Township.
| Climate data for Abington Township, Pennsylvania | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 37 (3) | 42 (6) | 50 (10) | 62 (17) | 72 (22) | 81 (27) | 85 (29) | 84 (29) | 77 (25) | 65 (18) | 54 (12) | 43 (6) | 63 (17) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 21 (−6) | 42 (6) | 32 (0) | 41 (5) | 51 (11) | 63 (17) | 67 (19) | 65 (18) | 56 (13) | 43 (6) | 34 (1) | 26 (−3) | 45 (7) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.44 (87) | 3.01 (76) | 4.32 (110) | 4.12 (105) | 4.37 (111) | 4.60 (117) | 5.05 (128) | 3.98 (101) | 4.53 (115) | 3.82 (97) | 3.94 (100) | 4.23 (107) | 49.41 (1,254) |
| Source: The Weather Channel[11] | |||||||||||||
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 2,703 | — |
| 1900 | 3,803 | +40.7% |
| 1910 | 5,896 | +55.0% |
| 1920 | 8,684 | +47.3% |
| 1930 | 18,648 | +114.7% |
| 1940 | 20,857 | +11.8% |
| 1950 | 28,988 | +39.0% |
| 1960 | 55,831 | +92.6% |
| 1970 | 63,625 | +14.0% |
| 1980 | 58,836 | −7.5% |
| 1990 | 56,322 | −4.3% |
| 2000 | 56,103 | −0.4% |
| 2010 | 55,310 | −1.4% |
| 2020 | 58,502 | +5.8% |
| Source:[12][13] | ||
As of the 2010 census, the township was 79.7% White, 12.4% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 4.9% Asian, and 2.1% were two or more races. 3.2% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.[14]
As of 2008, theU.S. Census Bureau estimated there were 55,234 people, 21,252 occupied households, and 14,819 families residing in the township. The population density was 3,563 inhabitants per square mile (1,376/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 80% White, 12% Black, 3%Asian, a fraction of a percentPacific Islander, 1% fromother races, and 3% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 3% of the population.
There were 21,252 households, out of which 32% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 11% had a female householder with no husband present, 56% weremarried couples living together, and 30% were non-families. 26% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the township, the population was spread out, with 22% under the age of 18, 9% from 18 to 24, 25% from 25 to 44, 29% from 45 to 64, and 16% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. The population was 47% male, and 53% female.
The median income for a household in the township was $77,363, and the median income for a family was $94,473. Theper capita income for the township was $38,737. About 2% of families and 3% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 1% of those under age 18 and 5% of those age 65 or over.[4]
| Year | Republican | Democratic |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32.2%11,778 | 66.8%24,472 |
| 2020 | 30.6%11,325 | 67.8%25,079 |
| 2016 | 30.5%9,983 | 65.0%21,287 |
| 2012 | 35.7%11,253 | 63.1%19,871 |
| 2008 | 34.4%11,244 | 64.8%21,210 |
| 2004 | 38.0%12,116 | 61.7%19,667 |
| 2000 | 38.4%10,808 | 59.0%16,586 |
| 1996 | 37.2%9,670 | 53.6%13,933 |
| 1992 | 37.9%13,933 | 46.3%13,736 |
Abington Township is a First ClassTownship governed by aBoard of Commissioners who are elected one from each of the township's fifteenwards. A President of the Board is elected from among these commissioners, and serves as the head of government for Abington Township. Thomas Hecker is the current President of the Board of Commissioners.[2]
All of the township is in theFourth Congressional District and is represented by Rep.Madeleine Dean (D).
All of the township falls within the4th Senatorial District in thePennsylvania Senate and is Represented byArt Haywood (D).
Most of the township falls within the153rd Legislative District in thePA House of Representatives and is represented byBen Sanchez (D), with the northern portion of township within the152nd Legislative District represented byNancy Guenst (D).
In 2004, Pennsylvanian political scientists Dr.G. Terry Madonna and Dr. Michael Young identified Abington Township as an especially interesting politicalbellwether — a local area "looked to for early readings of how national elections will turn out."[16]
The economy of the township includes manufacturing of pressedsteel, chemicals, and metal andplastic products.[6]
According to Abington Township's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,[17] the top employers in the township are:
| # | Employer | # of Employees | Community |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jefferson Abington Hospital | 4,163 | Abington |
| 2 | Holy Redeemer Health System | 2,129 | Huntingdon Valley |
| 3 | Willow Grove Park Mall | 2,099 | Willow Grove |
| 4 | Abington School District | 1,154 | Abington |
| 5 | SarahCare | 1,087 | Jenkintown (mailing address) |
| 6 | Penn State Abington | 696 | Abington |
| 7 | SPS Technologies | 574 | Abington |
| 8 | Abington Township | 561 | Abington |
| 9 | Philadelphia Presbyterian Home | 402 | |
| 10 | The Giant Company | 362 | Roslyn andHuntingdon Valley |
The Abington Township Parks and Recreation Department controls over 20 parks located within the township.[18] Alverthorpe Park is only open to township residents and guests of township residents and contains sports fields, trails, picnic areas, a playground, a lake, camping, a par-3 golf course, and mini-golf.[19] Other parks and natural areas in the township include Ardsley Community Center, Ardsley Park, Ardsley Wildlife Sanctuary, Briar Bush Nature Center, Crestmont Park, Crosswicks Bird Sanctuary, Edge Hill Woods Wildlife Sanctuary, Karebrook Nature Area,Lorimer Park, Meadowbrook Bird Sanctuary, Patrick Kerr Memorial Skate Park, Penbryn Park, and several others.[18] The township has two public swimming pools: Crestmont Pool and Penbryn Pool.[20] The Abington Township Parks and Recreation Department also offers discount tickets to amusement parks, aquariums, zoos, ski resorts, movies, museums, and water parks.[21]
_from_the_overpass_for_Edge_Hill_Road_in_Abington_Township%2c_Montgomery_County%2c_Pennsylvania.jpg)
As of 2018 there were 211.99 miles (341.16 km) of public roads in Abington Township, of which 29.35 miles (47.23 km) were maintained by thePennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 182.64 miles (293.93 km) were maintained by the township.[22]
Numbered routes serving Abington Township includePennsylvania Route 611, which passes north–south through the center of the township onOld York Road betweenJenkintown andWillow Grove;Pennsylvania Route 63, which passes northwest–southeast through the northern part of the township in the Willow Grove area along Moreland Road (following the border withUpper Moreland Township), Edge Hill Road, and Old Welsh Road;Pennsylvania Route 73; which runs northwest–southeast atop the southern border withCheltenham Township along Township Line Road between Jenkintown andNortheast Philadelphia;Pennsylvania Route 152, which passes north–south through the western part of the township along Limekiln Pike; andPennsylvania Route 232; which passes north–south through the eastern part of the township along Huntingdon Pike betweenRockledge andHuntingdon Valley. Other important roads in Abington Township include Easton Road, which runs southwest–northeast through the western part of the township betweenGlenside and Willow Grove; Susquehanna Road, which runs northwest–southeast through the center of the township betweenRoslyn and Huntingdon Valley; and Jenkintown Road, which runs northwest–southeast through the southern part of the township betweenArdsley andElkins Park, passing through Jenkintown along the way.[23] Abington Township is one of twelve municipalities in Pennsylvania to havered light cameras, which are aimed at improving safety at dangerous intersections. Red light cameras are located at Old York Road and Susquehanna Road (all directions), Old York Road and Old Welsh Road (all directions), and Moreland Road and Fitzwatertown Road (eastbound Moreland Road and northbound Fitzwatertown Road).[24]
SeveralSEPTA Regional Rail stations are located in Abington Township, providing commuter rail service toCenter City Philadelphia. TheLansdale/Doylestown Line stops at theNorth Hills station, theWarminster Line stops atCrestmont,Roslyn, andArdsley stations, and theWest Trenton Line stops atMeadowbrook,Rydal, andNoble stations. TheGlenside station serving the Lansdale/Doylestown Line and Warminster Line is located just outside the township's borders in Cheltenham Township.SEPTA provides bus service to Abington Township alongCity Bus Routes22,24,28,55,77,80,88, and310 andSuburban BusRoute 95, serving area shopping centers, hospitals, and employers, along with offering connections to Philadelphia and other suburbs.[25]
Electricity and natural gas in Abington Township is provided byPECO Energy Company, a subsidiary ofExelon.[26][27][28] Water in Abington Township is provided byAqua Pennsylvania, a subsidiary ofAqua America.[29] Sewer service is provided by the township's Wastewater Utilities Department, with wastewater treated either at the Abington Wastewater Treatment Plant or the Philadelphia Northeast Treatment Plant.[30] Trash and recycling collection is provided by the township's Refuse/Recycling Department.[31] Cable, telephone, and internet service to the area is provided byXfinity andVerizon. Abington Township is served byarea codes 215, 267, and 445.[32]
Jefferson Abington Hospital and Holy Redeemer Hospital are both located in Abington Township. Jefferson Abington Hospital, located along Old York Road in the Abington section of the township, has 665 beds and over 5,500 employees, including more than 1,100 physicians, and is one of the largest employers in Montgomery County. It has the Pennock Emergency Trauma Center, anemergency room with the onlyLevel II trauma center in Montgomery County. Other services offered at Jefferson Abington Hospital include The Heart and Vascular Institute, The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health-Abington, Neurosciences Institute, Orthopaedic and Spine Institute, Diamond Stroke Center, Muller Institute for Senior Health, and the Institute for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Jefferson Abington Hospital is a non-profit, regional referral center and teaching hospital with five residency programs and operates the Dixon School of Nursing.[33] Holy Redeemer Hospital, located along Huntingdon Pike in the Meadowbrook section of the township, has 242 beds and employs over 500 physicians. Services offered at Holy Redeemer Hospital include an Ambulatory Surgery Center, a Cardiovascular Center, The Bott Cancer Center, Orthopaedics, Emergency Department, and Wound Care Center.[34]
Abington is served by theAbington School District. There are seven elementary schools in this township, which include:
The middle school (grades 6–8) is Abington Middle School (formerly theAbington Junior High School, grades 7-9) and the senior high (grades 9–12) isAbington Senior High School (formerly grades 10-12).
There are several private schools located inside the township, such as Meadowbrook andAbington Friends School.[36]Penn State's Abington campus is located in the Rydal section of the township.
The school district received some notoriety in the 1960s when it became one of the key parties in theschool prayer controversy, withAbington School District v. Schempp. TheSupreme Court case resulted in a declaration of theunconstitutionality of school-sanctionedBible reading.
The elementary schools, junior high school, and senior high school in Abington School District have recently undergone a series of renovations and rebuilding, resulting in more up-to-date and sophisticated structures.
Area Catholic schools include Saint Luke Catholic School inGlenside and Abington Township, Queen of Angels Regional Catholic School inWillow Grove andUpper Moreland Township, and Good Shepherd Regional Catholic School inArdsley andUpper Dublin Township. Queen of Angels was formed in 2012 by the merger of Our Lady Help of Christians in Abington and St. David in Willow Grove, while Good Shepherd was formed after the merger of parish schools at Queen of Peace in Ardsley and St. John of the Cross in Roslyn in 2010. Private Catholic schools in the area include Regina Coeli Academy in Abington, Ancillae-Assumpta Academy in Wyncote, and Martin Saints Classical High School in Oreland.
Pennsylvania State University opened the Ogontz Campus in 1950, which was renamed toPenn State Abington.[6]
Manor College is in the township,[37] with a Jenkintown mailing address.[38]
Manor Colg
Manor College 700 Fox Chase Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046- Despite the address, it is not in Jenkintown Borough.
| Preceded by | Bordering communities ofPhiladelphia With:Rockledge | Succeeded by |
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| Cities and towns 50k–99k | ||
| Cities and towns 30k–50k | ||
| See also | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
