Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
%2c_Andalusia_(Bucks_County%2c_Pennsylvania).jpg) Andalusia, an NRHP site in Bensalem | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Bensalem Township inBucks County, Pennsylvania | |
  Bensalem Township Bensalem Township (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:40°06′46″N74°56′36″W / 40.11278°N 74.94333°W /40.11278; -74.94333 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Bucks |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-council |
| • Mayor | Joseph DiGirolamo (R) |
| Area | |
• Total | 21.0 sq mi (54 km2) |
| • Land | 20.0 sq mi (52 km2) |
| • Water | 1.0 sq mi (2.6 km2) |
| Elevation | 102 ft (31 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 62,707 |
• Estimate (2022)[2] | 62,619 |
| • Density | 3,140/sq mi (1,210/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 19020, 19053 |
| Area codes | 215, 267, and 445 |
| FIPS code | 42-017-05616 |
| Website | https://www.bensalempa.gov/ |
Bensalem Township is atownship inBucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The township borders thenortheastern section ofPhiladelphia and includes the communities ofAndalusia, Bensalem,Bridgewater,Cornwells Heights,Eddington, Flushing,Oakford, Siles,Trappe, andTrevose.[3] Bensalem Township has no other incorporated municipalities within its boundaries. It is located within theDelaware Valley, also known as thePhiladelphia metropolitan area.
As of the2020 census, the township had a population of 62,707, which made it the most populous municipality in Bucks County and theninth-most populated municipality inPennsylvania.
The township, which was founded in 1692, is almost as old as Pennsylvania itself, which was founded in 1682.
The origin of the name Bensalem likely comes from references made by settler Joseph Growden, who named his estateManor of Bensalem in honor ofWilliam Penn and the Semitic term for peace,Salem.[4] It was originally namedSalem; the first syllableBen was added in 1701.[4] Another theory notes the shared name with the utopian island inFrancis Bacon'sNew Atlantis, also named Bensalem.
The area of Bensalem Township appeared on the Holme Map of 1682, though not yet with a name. On January 2, 1685, the boundary was fixed between Bensalem andPhiladelphia County along thePoquessing Creek. At the September 1692 session ofBucks County Court, a jury of thirteen men was formed to define boundaries of divisions that had been created up to that time. The report submitted in December states that "All the lands between Neshamineh and Poquessin, and so to the upper side of Joseph Growden's land in one and to be called 'Salem.'"
The first name of the township was Salem. The minutes of the Board of Property of the Province on November 19, 1701, atPhiladelphia noted the name of the area as Bensalem. The population of the area was first a fewDutch andSwedes, then later a larger influx of English, and then additional Dutch settled the area.[3]
Bensalem is the southernmost township in Bucks County and is bordered by theNortheast Philadelphia section of the city ofPhiladelphia to the west and south,Croydon and the rest ofBristol Township to the east and northeast, the borough ofHulmeville andMiddletown Township to the north, andFeasterville,Trevose, andOakford inLower Southampton Township to the northwest. Across theDelaware River inBurlington County,New Jersey to the southeast, there are the city ofBeverly,Delanco Township, andEdgewater Park Township.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 21.0 square miles (54 km2), of which 20.0 square miles (52 km2) is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2) (4.77%) is water.
TheFall Line, which separates theAtlantic Coastal Plain region from thePiedmont region, passes through Bensalem, and is visible around theNeshaminy Mall area.[5][6] TheNeshaminy Creek forms the natural eastern boundary andPoquessing Creek forms the natural western boundary of the township.
Natural features include Barnsleys Ford, Mill Creek, Neshaminy Creek, Neshaminy Falls, Partridge Point, Poquessing Creek, and White Sheet Bay.[3]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 2,499 | — | |
| 1900 | 3,046 | 21.9% | |
| 1910 | 3,105 | 1.9% | |
| 1920 | 2,912 | −6.2% | |
| 1930 | 5,645 | 93.9% | |
| 1940 | 7,276 | 28.9% | |
| 1950 | 11,365 | 56.2% | |
| 1960 | 23,478 | 106.6% | |
| 1970 | 33,042 | 40.7% | |
| 1980 | 52,368 | 58.5% | |
| 1990 | 56,788 | 8.4% | |
| 2000 | 58,434 | 2.9% | |
| 2010 | 60,427 | 3.4% | |
| 2020 | 62,707 | 3.8% | |
| Source:[7][8] | |||
As of the 2010 census, the township was 72.1% Non-Hispanic White, 7.3% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 10.2% Asian, and 2.6% of the population were of two or more races. 8.4% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.[9]
As of thecensus[10] of 2000, there were 58,434 people, 22,627 households, and 15,114 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,926.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,130.0/km2). There were 23,535 housing units at an average density of 1,178.8 per square mile (455.1/km2).
There were 22,627 households, of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% weremarried couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% 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 3.14.
In the township the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.0 males. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there were 96.9 men.
The median income for a household in the township was $49,737, and the median income for a family was $58,771. Men had a median income of $39,914 versus $30,926 for women. Theper capita income for the township was $22,517. 7.4% of the population and 6.0% of families were below thepoverty line. Of the total population, 6.8% of those under the age of 18 and 10.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Bensalem has a significantJewish community,[11] with the following institutions.
In the last decade, numeroushomicides have made national headlines. Long-time residents claim that the high crime rate is due toParx Casino which brings in a plethora of non-residents, in addition to its shared border withPhiladelphia. Neighborhoods of concern include Calico Corner (Nottingham), and "Top of The Ridge Trailer Park", which has seen its fair share of crimes and homicides.[14]
In 2022 Bensalem once again made national headlines; after a violent brawl broke out in a localGolden Corral restaurant over a single piece of steak.[15] In total, the altercation involved over 40 people.[16] This incident destroyed the interior of the restaurant causing it to temporarily close down.
Bensalem is home toParx Casino and Racing, a 1-mile (1.6 km) thoroughbred horse racing track and casino. This facility opened in November 1974 as Keystone Racetrack. The name was changed to Philadelphia Park in 1984. The track became notable as the original home of 2004Kentucky Derby andPreakness Stakes championSmarty Jones, who placed second in theBelmont Stakes, narrowly missing theTriple Crown. In 2006, a slots parlor casino opened at Philadelphia Park and the facility was renamed to Philadelphia Park Racetrack and Casino. A permanent standalone casino structure opened in December 2009 and was renamed Parx Casino. The facility boasts 260,000 square feet (24,000 m2) including gaming, dining, entertainment, and banquet space. Parx Casino contains theXcite Center, which hosts concerts, entertainment performances, comedy acts, and boxing and MMA matches.
Penn Community Bank Amphitheater is located in Bensalem, and is a popular venue for concerts.
Bensalem is also home to the Mongkoltepmunee Buddhist Temple,[17] or Wat Mongkoltepmunee, on Knights Road. This shrine is an exact replica of a temple in Bangkok and is the only one of its kind in the United States. It serves as a place of high ceremonies and meditation for a community of Buddhist monks who came to Bensalem from Thailand in the 1980s.[18]
For the 2002M. Night Shyamalan movieSigns, starringMel Gibson, a stage set was built inside a warehouse on State Road for many of the interior shots.[19][20]
TheNBCpilot episode forOutlaw, starringJimmy Smits filmed scenes in Andalusia March 22–23, 2010.[21][22][1]
The movieSafe, starringJason Statham filmed a scene at Parx Casino and Racing.[23]
TheNeshaminy Mall is located within Bensalem. It was one of the first malls to be constructed in the country in 1968. It has two main anchors (Boscov's andAMC Theatres) and over 40 smaller shops and eateries, with many vacant stores. The AMC Neshaminy 24 Theater is the largest and highest sales-producing theater in Pennsylvania.[24] In addition, it has on many occasions been a top 10 for theater engagements in the United States (including the opening ofSigns where it was #1).[2]
Benjamin Franklin would often travel to Bensalem to visit his friend,Joseph Galloway, atGrowden Mansion. At the time, the Galloway family owned all of present-day Bensalem Township. A local legend maintains that Franklin performed his famous kite-flying experiment in Bensalem, at the mansion, to prove that lightning was the same as static electricity. (The broader consensus is that Benjamin Franklin flew his kite closer to his home in Philadelphia.)
Bensalem is home to the Philadelphia Gun Club, which hosts one of the few trappigeon shoots in the United States. Live birds are released from boxes called traps and then shot by club members. Many birds are not killed outright and are collected to be killed by hand.[25][26][27]
Andalusia andBelmont are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places. Andalusia is also designated aNational Historic Landmark.[28]
The U.S. subsidiary ofHoshino, which manufacturesTama Drums andIbanezguitars, is located here.
Bensalem is home toNeshaminy State Park. Also, in the center of Bensalem is the Bensalem Township Community Park, which features a skatepark, playground, basketball courts, a roller-hockey rink, and baseball, football, soccer, and softball fields.
_from_the_overpass_for_Tennis_Avenue_in_Bensalem_Township%2c_Bucks_County%2c_Pennsylvania.jpg)
As of 2018 there were 195.30 miles (314.30 km) of public roads in Bensalem Township, of which 4.80 miles (7.72 km) were maintained by thePennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC), 45.89 miles (73.85 km) were maintained by thePennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 144.61 miles (232.73 km) were maintained by the township.[29]
Bensalem Township is readily accessible withInterstate 95,Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 276),U.S. Route 1,U.S. Route 13 (Bristol Pike),Pennsylvania Route 63 (Woodhaven Road),Pennsylvania Route 132 (Street Road), andPennsylvania Route 513 (Hulmeville Road) all passing through.[30] The Bensalem (formerly Philadelphia) Interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (exit 351, at U.S. Route 1) is in the Trevose section of the township. In addition, the eastbound Street Road interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (exit 352), which isE-ZPass only, serves Bensalem. The eastern terminus of the ticket system along the turnpike is located at the Neshaminy Falls toll plaza, east of the Street Road interchange.[30][31] The intersection of Knights and Street roads in Bensalem Township was ranked byTime magazine as the most dangerous intersection in the United States from 2003 until 2012.[32]
TwoSEPTA Regional Rail lines serve Bensalem Township, providing service toCenter City Philadelphia. TheWest Trenton Line stops at theTrevose andNeshaminy Falls stations in the northern part of the township. TheTrenton Line stops at theCornwells Heights andEddington stations in the southern part of the township.[30][33] The Cornwells Heights station is also served byAmtrak'sKeystone Service andNortheast Regional services along theNortheast Corridor and has apark-and-ride with access from Interstate 95 and Pennsylvania Route 63.[34][35]CSX Transportation'sTrenton Subdivision freight railroad line runs through the northern portion of the township.[30] MultipleSEPTA bus routes pass through the township, serving points of interest within the township and providing connections to Philadelphia and other suburbs. Bus routes serving Bensalem Township includeSEPTA City Bus Routes1,14,20,50,58, and78 andSEPTA Suburban Bus Routes128,129,130,133, and150. SEPTA also operates theBoulevard Direct, a limited-stop bus route between theNeshaminy Mall in Bensalem Township and theFrankford Transportation Center inNortheast Philadelphia that followsRoosevelt Boulevard through Northeast Philadelphia.[30][33] TheDelaware River passes along the southeastern border of Bensalem Township and provides access for shipping. TheNortheast Philadelphia Airport, located a couple miles away, provides general aviation services. ThePhiladelphia International Airport is 25 miles (40 km) away, offering flights to domestic and international destinations.[36]
Electricity and natural gas in Bensalem Township is provided byPECO Energy Company, a subsidiary ofExelon.[37][38][39] Water in the township is provided byAqua Pennsylvania, a subsidiary ofAqua America, while sewer service is provided by the Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority; Bensalem sold off its water and sewer system in 1999.[40][41][42] Trash and recycling collection is provided by private haulers.[42] Cable, telephone, and internet service to the area is provided byXfinity andVerizon. Bensalem Township is served byarea codes 215, 267, and 445.[43]
In 1987, the people of Bensalem voted to become a second-class township with amayor-council form of government consisting of a five-member council and a mayor. The mayor is allowed to serve unlimited terms. The first mayor of Bensalem was Ed Burns, who was elected on 1989 and served in office from 1990 to 1994. The current mayor isRepublican Joseph DiGirolamo, who is in his eighth consecutive term. He was elected mayor in 1994.[44]
Public schools in Bensalem are operated by theBensalem Township School District. The school district consists of six elementary schools, two middle schools, andBensalem High School. The township has its own nine-member school board.Holy Ghost Preparatory School is a private Catholic high school located in the township.
Founded in 1969, Roman Catholic Saint Ephrem School serving Grades Pre-K to 8 has students from Bensalem and the surrounding area.
Established 1920, and located in the Cornwells Heights section of Bensalem, St. Charles Borromeo School is a Catholic, MSA Accredited, modernized Elementary School serving Grades Pre-K to 8.
TheRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced in 2011 that Our Lady of Fatima School was closing as the number of students had declined.[45]
Rita's Franchise Company, LLC has its headquarters in the Trevose section of the township, as well as its first location in the Andalusia section.[3] Philly Pretzel Factory has its headquarters in Bensalem.[4] Fortune 1000 company Healthcare Services Group has its headquarters in Bensalem and is ranked #985 on the 2019 list.[46][5]
Former Fortune 1000 companyCharming Shoppes had its headquarters in Bensalem, and was ranked #927 on the 2012 list.[47]
The US Headquarters forIbanez Guitars andTama Drums is located in Bensalem Township.
Suez Water Technologies & Solutions is a water treatment company based in the Trevose section of Bensalem Township.[48]
According to theKöppen climate classification system, Bensalem Township has aHumid subtropical climate (Cfa).Cfa climates are characterized by all months having an average mean temperature > 32.0 °F (0.0 °C), at least four months with an average mean temperature ≥ 50.0 °F (10.0 °C), at least one month with an average mean temperature ≥ 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. Although most summer days are slightly humid in Bensalem Township, episodes of heat and high humidity can occur withheat index values > 108 °F (42 °C). Since 1981, the highest air temperature was 103.0 °F (39.4 °C) on July 22, 2011, and the highest daily average meandew point was 76.2 °F (24.6 °C) on August 13, 1999. The average wettest month is July which corresponds with the annual peak inthunderstorm activity. Since 1981, the wettest calendar day was 6.70 inches (170 mm) on August 27, 2011. During the winter months, the average annual extreme minimum air temperature is 1.9 °F (−16.7 °C).[49] Since 1981, the coldest air temperature was −8.8 °F (−22.7 °C) on January 22, 1984. Episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur withwind chill values < −8 °F (−22 °C). The average annual snowfall (Nov-Apr) is between 24 inches (61 cm) and 30 inches (76 cm).Ice storms and large snowstorms depositing ≥ 12 inches (30 cm) occur once every few years, particularly duringnor’easters from December through February.
| Climate data for Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania (Neshaminy Falls) 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1915–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 74 (23) | 79 (26) | 88 (31) | 95 (35) | 97 (36) | 102 (39) | 105 (41) | 102 (39) | 98 (37) | 95 (35) | 88 (31) | 76 (24) | 105 (41) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 39.4 (4.1) | 42.2 (5.7) | 50.5 (10.3) | 62.5 (16.9) | 72.3 (22.4) | 81.1 (27.3) | 85.8 (29.9) | 84.0 (28.9) | 77.4 (25.2) | 65.6 (18.7) | 54.6 (12.6) | 44.4 (6.9) | 63.3 (17.4) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 30.4 (−0.9) | 32.4 (0.2) | 40.0 (4.4) | 51.0 (10.6) | 60.9 (16.1) | 70.5 (21.4) | 75.5 (24.2) | 73.8 (23.2) | 66.6 (19.2) | 54.6 (12.6) | 43.9 (6.6) | 35.4 (1.9) | 52.9 (11.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 21.5 (−5.8) | 22.6 (−5.2) | 29.4 (−1.4) | 39.5 (4.2) | 49.5 (9.7) | 59.8 (15.4) | 65.2 (18.4) | 63.5 (17.5) | 55.7 (13.2) | 43.5 (6.4) | 33.2 (0.7) | 26.5 (−3.1) | 42.5 (5.8) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −18 (−28) | −18 (−28) | −2 (−19) | 8 (−13) | 29 (−2) | 34 (1) | 43 (6) | 35 (2) | 30 (−1) | 19 (−7) | −3 (−19) | −10 (−23) | −18 (−28) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.69 (94) | 3.06 (78) | 4.58 (116) | 3.97 (101) | 4.00 (102) | 4.58 (116) | 4.94 (125) | 4.67 (119) | 4.72 (120) | 4.21 (107) | 3.63 (92) | 4.65 (118) | 50.70 (1,288) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 7.0 (18) | 5.7 (14) | 3.5 (8.9) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.2 (0.51) | 3.4 (8.6) | 19.9 (51) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 10.5 | 9.9 | 10.7 | 10.7 | 11.3 | 10.5 | 10.0 | 9.0 | 8.6 | 9.3 | 8.7 | 10.6 | 119.8 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 2.3 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.2 | 6.8 |
| Source:NOAA[50][51] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Andalusia, Bensalem Twp. Elevation: 16 ft (5 m). 1981-2010 Averages (1981-2018 Records) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 72.5 (22.5) | 78.7 (25.9) | 87.7 (30.9) | 94.1 (34.5) | 96.1 (35.6) | 97.5 (36.4) | 103.5 (39.7) | 101.3 (38.5) | 99.1 (37.3) | 89.6 (32.0) | 81.8 (27.7) | 76.6 (24.8) | 103.5 (39.7) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 41.0 (5.0) | 44.4 (6.9) | 52.6 (11.4) | 63.9 (17.7) | 73.7 (23.2) | 82.9 (28.3) | 86.9 (30.5) | 85.5 (29.7) | 78.7 (25.9) | 67.3 (19.6) | 56.4 (13.6) | 45.4 (7.4) | 65.0 (18.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 33.4 (0.8) | 36.0 (2.2) | 43.3 (6.3) | 53.8 (12.1) | 63.3 (17.4) | 72.8 (22.7) | 77.4 (25.2) | 76.0 (24.4) | 68.9 (20.5) | 57.3 (14.1) | 47.6 (8.7) | 37.8 (3.2) | 55.7 (13.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 25.6 (−3.6) | 27.6 (−2.4) | 34.1 (1.2) | 43.6 (6.4) | 52.9 (11.6) | 62.7 (17.1) | 67.8 (19.9) | 66.4 (19.1) | 59.1 (15.1) | 47.3 (8.5) | 38.9 (3.8) | 30.3 (−0.9) | 46.4 (8.0) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −7.4 (−21.9) | −0.6 (−18.1) | 5.7 (−14.6) | 19.5 (−6.9) | 35.2 (1.8) | 44.4 (6.9) | 51.0 (10.6) | 45.4 (7.4) | 38.8 (3.8) | 27.6 (−2.4) | 15.0 (−9.4) | 1.6 (−16.9) | −7.4 (−21.9) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.52 (89) | 2.73 (69) | 4.23 (107) | 3.88 (99) | 4.20 (107) | 4.18 (106) | 4.97 (126) | 4.34 (110) | 4.14 (105) | 3.71 (94) | 3.46 (88) | 3.93 (100) | 47.29 (1,201) |
| Averagerelative humidity (%) | 64.2 | 60.9 | 56.1 | 56.5 | 60.7 | 62.8 | 64.1 | 66.2 | 66.8 | 66.9 | 65.5 | 66.4 | 63.1 |
| Averagedew point °F (°C) | 22.6 (−5.2) | 23.8 (−4.6) | 28.7 (−1.8) | 38.7 (3.7) | 49.5 (9.7) | 59.4 (15.2) | 64.3 (17.9) | 63.9 (17.7) | 57.4 (14.1) | 46.4 (8.0) | 36.6 (2.6) | 27.6 (−2.4) | 43.3 (6.3) |
| Source: PRISM[52] | |||||||||||||
According to theA. W. Kuchler U.S.potential natural vegetation types, Bensalem Township would have a dominant vegetation type of AppalachianOak (104) with a dominant vegetation form of EasternHardwood Forest (25).[53] Theplant hardiness zone is 7a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 1.9 °F (−16.7 °C).[49] The spring bloom typically begins by April 7 and fall color usually peaks by November 5.
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