Located right at the center of the Philadelphia Main Line about 17 miles northwest of Center City, Villanova is one of Philly’s most affluent and historic communities. Interestingly, it isn’t a census-designated place or incorporated area, it’s considered a suburb of Philadelphia. The 19085 zip code covering Villanova is the most expensive neighborhood in all of Pennsylvania with a median home price of over $1.3 million. While living in Villanova, you’ll enjoy an ideal location along the Main Line, excellent public and private schools, and beautiful outdoor attractions like Arboretum Villanova. Here’s everything you want to know before moving to Villanova, PA.
Villanova, PA Population: Who Lives in Villanova?
Villanova is a fairly small community covering 6 square miles within zip code 19085 and area codes 610 and 484. How many people live in Villanova? About 8,900. The community is located along Radnor Township in Delaware County, PA and Lower Merion Township in Montgomery County, PA right at the center of the Main Line, or the series of Philadelphia suburbs that run along the old east to west railroad tracks. The suburb is served by the Villanova station of the SEPTA Paoli/Thorndale Line.
Who is living in Villanova? The community has a notably young population with a median age of around 26. The racial and ethnic composition of Villanova is 92.5% white, 3.9% African American or black, 3.5% Asian, 1.5% other, and 2.5% Hispanic.
Villanova has had its share of famous residents including broadcaster Michael Smerconish and actor Will Smith. It’s also a very safe community with a crime rate far below the national average.
Villanova Weather: What to Expect
The Villanova climate is typical of Pennsylvania with around 200 days of sun per year and 21 inches of snow. While you won’t get as much snow as much of the U.S., you’ll get plenty of rain while living in Villanova! The community gets hit by 48” of rain every year, far above the U.S. average. During the summers, brace yourself for highs in the 80s and about three weeks with temperatures over 90 degrees.
Schools in Villanova, PA: Public, Private, & Higher Education
After moving to Villanova, PA, you will be served by the Radnor Township School District, a top-rated district with schools that far outperform the state average. There are also many private schools to choose from in the area including the Haverford School for boys, Episcopal Academy in nearby Newtown Square, and the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur.
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Villanova is best known for Villanova University and its college basketball. The university, founded in 1842, is the state’s oldest catholic university and the country’s only Augustine university. While attending college in Villanova can be challenging for students from outside the area thanks to its high cost of living, there are almost 11,000 students enrolled at the university every year. Villanova University spent a decade as the Best Masters University in the country and it also ranks very highly for its value and undergraduate teaching.
Villanova, PA Jobs
Living in Villanova, PA is expensive with the vast majority of residents in white collar occupations. Most people choose to work in Central City and surrounding suburbs as Villanova is mostly residential aside from the college. Villanova University is the largest employer in the community. Other major employers include:
- JPMorgan Chase
- Deloitte Consulting
- PECO
The median household income in Villanova is $216,000 which makes it one of the most affluent communities in the United States and about three times the median $69,000 annual income for the Philadelphia metro area. In 2009, the eastern area of Villanova was ranked among the top 40 wealthiest neighborhoods in the U.S. with a median household income of $367,000.
Cost of Living in Villanova, PA
Is Villanova, PA expensive? What is the cost of living in Villanova? These are important questions to ask as you consider moving to Villanova, Pennsylvania. The community is one of the most affluent in the United States and certainly one of the most expensive places to live. The cost of living index in Villanova is about 203 which makes it more than twice as expensive as the national average.
The biggest factor that affects the Villanova cost of living is housing prices. Realtor called Villanova a neighborhood “for East Coast elites” and the state’s most expensive neighborhood in 2019 with a median home price of $1.37 million. This compares to the U.S. median home price of $320,000.
Planning to rent after moving to Villanova? You’ll still face high housing costs. Villanova offers little in the way of apartments and condos but nearby Rosemont, Bryn Mawr, and Radnor offer a range of choices for renters. You can expect to pay $1,200 to $1,800 for a one-bedroom apartment near Villanova.
Fortunately, other common expenses are more in line with the national average. Healthcare, groceries, utilities, and transportation are higher than the U.S. average and up to 20% higher than average for Pennsylvania but still fairly reasonable.
Top Villanova Neighborhoods You’ll Love
Villanova may be small but it offers several different neighborhoods to choose from, each with a unique feel. What are you looking for while living in Villanova? Do you want to be close to the University with easy highway access? Do you want a walkable neighborhood where you can enjoy a morning job or a historic and wooded area?
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Villanova is largely divided into a north and south side by Villanova University. The north side of town is located in Lower Merion Township with larger homes, mature landscaping, and winding roads. This Villanova neighborhood is home to many large estates which gives it less of a neighborhood feel. One of the most desirable areas in north Villanova is Wrenfield which boasts large, beautiful French carriage homes.
South side Villanova has a more neighborly feel and it’s one of the best places to live in Villanova for families. Homes in this area have large, wooded lots and this is where many of the historic homes are found. It’s also home to the Radnor Trail, a 2.4-mile paved trail popular for jogging and walking dogs.
Ready to explore the possibilities of living in Villanova, PA? Get started by searching for Villanova, PA homes for sale to see what’s within your budget.
Best Things to Do in Villanova, PA
How will you spend your time after moving to Villanova? This small community features plenty of outdoor recreation and beautiful scenery with plenty of entertainment and shopping in surrounding suburbs. Villanova is also home to convenient shopping at Villanova Center, Villanova Coastal Stop-N-Shop Deli, T.J. Maxx, and Microcenter. Want the excitement and fun of the big city? The drive from Villanova, PA to Philadelphia, PA is just 17 miles along I-76!
Here are some of the top attractions in Villanova, PA.
Stoneleigh: a Natural Garden
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Stoneleigh features beautiful vistas and more than 40,000 native plants in an environment open and free to the public. Stoneleigh is one of the best things to do for couples and families in Villanova on a nice day.
Stoneleigh: a Natural Garden, 1829 County Line Rd, Villanova, PA 19085 (610) 353-5587
Radnor Trail
Radnor Trail connects the south side of Villanova with Radnor and Wayne. This fun multi-purpose trail is perfect for dog walks, cycling, jogging, and rollerblading.
Radnor Trail, 520 Conestoga Rd, Wayne, PA 19087 (610) 688-5600
Additional attractions in Villanova include:
Great Villanova Restaurants
Ready to see the amazing restaurants in Villanova, PA you’ll be visiting often? It may be a small community, but Villanova manages to offer a range of cuisine options and locally owned restaurants popular with couples and families. Here are the top-rated restaurants to explore while living in Villanova.
Azie on Main
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This upscale Japanese fusion restaurant is perfect for celebrating a special occasion. Traditional Japanese cuisine is combined with contemporary European influences with an expansive menu that includes sushi, Kobe Beef Hot Rock, and exotic cocktails.
Azie on Main, 789 Lancaster Ave, Villanova, PA 19085 (610) 527-5700
Campus Corner
Campus Corner is the perfect spot to grab late-night cheesesteaks, pizza, and hoagies. A popular choice with students, Campus Corner is located right next to Villanova University.
Campus Corner, 829 Lancaster Ave, Villanova, PA 19085 (610) 527-3606
Living in Villanova Pros & Cons
- A benefit of living in Villanova is the community’s excellent school system and private schools
- A major perk of living in Villanova is the natural beauty and outdoor recreation
- A big drawback of living in Villanova is the high cost of living
Have you settled on moving to Villanova, PA? There’s so much to love about this quiet, upscale suburb of Philadelphia, from its wooded setting to its convenient location. Ahead of your move, contact the Villanova movers at Suburban Solutions to request a free moving estimate and find out how we go above and beyond to deliver a great relocation experience.
