The borough of Ambler, PA offers residents a suburban feel while being a commutable distance from Philadelphia. Ambler is known for its walkable downtown area and proximity to a larger city ripe with economic opportunity.
Ambler is named for Mary Johnson Ambler, a resident who heroically provided medical assistance to many people during The Great Train Wreck of 1856. A year after she died, in 1869, the borough, originally called Wissahickon, was renamed Ambler. However, the borough’s history dates back to 1730 when the first street was created. It was officially incorporated in 1888. Today, Ambler is a great place to live where residents enjoy the tight-knit community the borough provides.
Where is Ambler, PA?
Ambler is a suburb of Philadelphia. It is in Montgomery County in the state of Pennsylvania. The city is just 16 miles north of Philadelphia’s city center (or approximately 37 minutes by car). If you work in Philadelphia but would like to live somewhere outside of the city, Ambler is an appealing option as it offers a brief commute and a small-town vibe.
Ambler borders Blue Bell to the west, Spring House to the north, Fort Washington to the south, and Drescher to the east.
Ambler Population & Demographics
Ambler has a population of 6807. This slightly increased from 2010’s census which revealed the borough had 6417 residents. Ambler has a .57% annual population growth rate. The borough’s population density is 7,618.54 per square mile.
The median age of an Ambler resident is 37 years old. The majority of the population is between the ages 25 to 44 (32.5%). This is followed by those under the age of 18 (23.5%), 19.7% from 45 to 64, 17.4% 65 or older, and 7% from 18 to 24.
The borough has a slightly higher population of females, as 51.9% of residents identify as female.
Several famous people are from Ambler, PA. These individuals include Martin Kilson, the first Black academic to join Harvard University as a full professor, Michael Gerber, a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and Ruth Williams, a former member of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
The median household income in Ambler is $73,953. This is slightly above the national median household income, which is $67,521.
The majority of Ambler’s population is caucasian (76.5%). 12.8% of the population is Black or African American, 7.9% Hispanic or Latino, 3.8% Asian, 3.4% identify as two or more races, .3% Native Hawaiian, and .2% Native American.
The total crime rate in Ambler, PA per 1,000 residents is 14.98. The majority of these crimes are property (13.37) and only 1.62 are violent. Ambler is safer than 40% of cities in the United States, and therefore Ambler is a safe place to live.
Ambler is serviced by the Ambler Police Department which employs 12 full-time officers.
Cost of Living in Ambler
The average cost of living in the United States has a score of 100. Ambler’s score is 108.4, which is above the average in the US and the Pennsylvania state average (92.5).
According to the Economic Policy Institute, if you have a family of four in Ambler, you’ll have to make about $103,321 per year to live comfortably. Expect to spend about $1431 per month in housing, $907 on food, $1186 on healthcare, $1202 on transportation, and $1915 on childcare.
The median home price in Ambler is $490,000. According to RentCafe, the average monthly cost for rent is $1,417.
Ambler Typical Monthly Living Expenses (according to Numbeo)
- Ambler monthly cost of utilities: $352
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $15
- Milk: $4.43
- Regular eggs: $3.24
- Small bottle of water: $1.52
- Domestic beer: $6
Ambler Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Ambler
There are six main neighborhoods in the borough of Ambler. These include Penllyn, Maple Glen, Rose Valley, Ambler North, Montgomery Crossing/Prospectville, and Borough Center. Penllyn is considered the safest of these neighborhoods, and therefore, is the most desirable.
Ambler Weather & Climate
Ambler is in Pennsylvania, which is in the Mid-Atlantic region. Therefore, it does experience all four seasons a year. Ambler gets an average of 48 inches of rain per year, which is slightly above the US average. It does snow in Ambler, so be sure you don’t forget your snow boots. The average snowfall in Ambler is 21 inches per year.
The summer in Ambler tends to be hot and wet, whereas the winters are cold and snowy. It’s often partly cloudy in Ambler. Ambler’s hottest month is July when it averages 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The cold season in Ambler lasts for 3 months, from December to March. The daily temperature is typically below 49 degrees at this time. The coldest month in this borough is January as the average low is 26 and high is 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Things to Do in Ambler
There are a myriad of things to do in Ambler, whether you are an outdoors person, or prefer to spend your time as a patron of the arts. You’ll also find that there are plenty of interesting stores you can visit in the downtown area. If you’re looking for groceries, however, you’ll likely want to start at Weavers Way Coop. In addition to stores, there are plenty of activities. We’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in Ambler.
Act II Playhouse
If you enjoy a night out at the theater, you should visit the Act II Playhouse. This playhouse is a cozy venue that offers classic and contemporary plays, musicals, and drama education programs.
56 E. Butler Ave. Ambler, PA 19002, 215-654-0200
View this post on Instagram
Four Mills Nature Preserve
If you’re a hiker, you’ll frequent the Four Mills Nature Preserve in Ambler. Not only is this excellent for experienced hikers, novices and families that enjoy spending time outdoors will benefit from a trip here. You can also bring your pet.
12 Morris Rd, Ambler, PA 19002, 215-646-8866
Ambler Skate Park
If you or your children enjoy skating, you should visit the Ambler Skate Park. This highly rated attraction is a perfect way to spend a Saturday. This is known for being a fun, accessible neighborhood skatepark.
301 S Main St #399, Ambler, PA 19002
View this post on Instagram
Ambler Restaurants
Ambler has a myriad of unique restaurants that are ideal for any and all tastes. No matter what kind of cuisine you’re looking for, you are sure to find it in Ambler. There are restaurants that are family-friendly and also those ideal for a night out on the town. Here are some of the best Ambler restaurants.
- Bridget’s Steakhouse: For those seeking a romantic night out on the town, look no further than an Ambler institution: Bridget’s Steakhouse. This eatery serves up cozy vibes and delicious grub.
8 West Butler Avenue, Ambler, PA 19002, 267-465-2000
- Dettera Restaurant & Wine Bar: For New American food, you can’t go wrong at Dettera. This chic restaurant is ideal for a night out with your girlfriends and is known for its great atmosphere and exceptional customer service.
129 E Butler Ave, Ambler, PA 19002, 215-643-0111
- El Limon: If you’re craving Mexican food in Ambler, you can’t go wrong by visiting El Limon which offers tasty cuisine in a relaxed, comfortable setting. (P.S. If you go, don’t forget to order the flan for dessert!)
38 E Butler Ave, Ambler, PA 19002, 267-460-8949
View this post on Instagram
Jobs in Ambler
Ambler is a suburb of Philadelphia, which means that a large number of residents commute into Philly for their job. Because of the small-town vibes and community that Ambler offers, people find the commute is worth it.
However, if you’d prefer not to commute into Philadelphia daily, you could find a role in or around Ambler. Here’s a job board you can use to look for positions in Ambler. The most popular employers in Ambler are Deloitte, Penn Medicine, and University of Pennsylvania.
According to Zippia, the average hourly wage in Ambler is $31.25 per hour.
Schools in Ambler
If you have children, you may be interested to learn more about the education system in Ambler. Children who live in Ambler attend the Wissahickon School District. There are six schools in the district and approximately 4546 students. The student to teacher ratio is 13:1.
Ambler Statistics & Information
- Montgomery County
- Ambler area: .85 square miles
- Ambler zip code: 19002
- Ambler area code: 267
- Ambler alevation: 220
- Ambler time zone: EST
- Closest airport to Ambler: Provo Airport, PVU, https://www.provo.org/city-services/airport/commercial-service, 18.2 miles
Map of Ambler
Discover this suburb of Philadelphia that offers residents an unforgettable small town feel.
Moving to Ambler? We’ll help.
You’ll love life in Ambler because of the variety of things to do, fabulous restaurants, and community vibe. If you’re ready to get started making you move, give our Ambler movers a call at 610-314-6868 for a free quote.
