Bensalem’s just around the bend! The township was founded in 1692 on Joseph Growden’s manor. Bensalem gets its name from William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, and the word “Salem,” which means peace. Many wealthy people built mansions in the community in the 1700s and 1800s, giving Bensalem a reputation for wealth and prestige.
Bensalem is now best known for Parx Casino and Racing. It is a nice place to live, with great access to public parks and affordable restaurants in Bensalem. If you’re interested in moving to Bensalem, you should learn a little about living in Bensalem. Here’s what you need to know about this quaint township!
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Where Is Bensalem PA?
What county is Bensalem PA in? Bensalem is located in Bucks County, which forms part of the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It is one of many towns and cities close to Philadelphia. The township is along the Delaware River, with the Neshaminy Creek forming the northern and eastern borders of the community. But Bensalem is a well-developed residential community with small businesses inside it.
It is 19 miles from Philadelphia PA to Bensalem PA. Residents living in Philadelphia border Bensalem. Bensalem has access to Philadelphia’s public transit system, including SEPTA Regional Rail and SEPTA buses, making moving to Bensalem easy. Residents in northern Bensalem can use the Trevose and Neshaminy Falls stations, while residents in the southern part can use the Cornwells Heights and Eddington stations.
Bensalem Population and Demographics
The population of Bensalem Pennsylvania in 2020 was 62,750, up by 3.8% since 2010. 3,156.8 residents live per square mile in the township. Bensalem is the largest township in Bucks County and the tenth-largest municipality in Pennsylvania. Notable people from Bensalem include St. Katharine Drexel and musician Christina Perri.
Bensalem demographics include:
- 50.1% female, 49.9% male
- Median age: 40.5
- Racial and ethnic composition: 68.4% White alone, 13.1% Asian alone, 11.0% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Black or African American alone, 6.5% two or more races, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native alone
- Median household income: $72,001, roughly 10% higher than the state median
- Educational attainment: 89.7% of residents have graduated high school, 29.4% have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Foreign-born population: 18.9%
Bensalem is a hub for the Jewish community in Bucks County, being home to the Bensalem Jewish Outreach Center and two synagogues.
According to the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System, the community’s crime rates in 2022 per 100,000 residents are:
- Overall crime rate: 3,688 (54.8% higher than the state, 49% higher than America’s)
- Property crime rate: 3,300 (120% higher than the state, 56.4% higher than America’s)
- Violent crime rate: 387 (56.2% lower than the state, 2.2% lower than America’s)
Though Bensalem’s overall crime rates are high, you can find safe places to live in Bensalem. The Bensalem Police Department serves the community with more than 100 officers.
Cost of Living in Bensalem
As part of the Philadelphia metro area, you can use statistics for the Philadelphia metro region to determine the cost of living in Bensalem. Philadelphia’s cost of living index is 109.8; items in the area cost 9.8% more than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $94,592 a year to live in the Philadelphia metro area.
The Bensalem real estate market is relatively affordable. According to Redfin, the median sale price of houses for sale in Bensalem PA is $352,500. According to RentCafe, the average rent of Bensalem apartments is $1,575.
Typical Bensalem* Living Expenses
- 1 pound of white bread: $3.69
- 1 pound of chicken fillets: $6.18
- 1 pound of potatoes: $1.42
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.85
- Average Bensalem* monthly utilities: $172.46
- 1 pair of jeans: $46.67
Source: Numbeo
*Expenses for Philadelphia
Bensalem Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Bensalem
You can find great Bensalem houses for sale in a number of neighborhoods. Here are just a few of the best places to live in Bensalem.
Andalusia | Walkable streets and diverse homes for sale in Bensalem PA
Andalusia is a historic mansion once owned by Nicholas Biddle, the last president of the Second Bank of the United States. The Andalusia neighborhood surrounds the mansion and includes numerous single-family houses for sale in Bensalem, PA. You can purchase properties with many different architectural styles, including older brickfront homes. Three and four-bedroom homes covering more than 1,500 square feet are for sale at less than $500,000.
The neighborhood has grid-like streets, making transportation extremely easy. Interstate 95 cuts through Andalusia, giving you access to residents living in Center City Philadelphia, and New Jersey.
Linconia | Best Bensalem neighborhood for outdoor activities and public parks
Linconia is best known for its proximity to green spaces. The neighborhood contains Linconia Park, which has a playground and sports fields. It borders Poquessing Valley Park, Benjamin Rush State Park, and Roosevelt Cemetery. These green spaces give the neighborhood a rural and quaint aesthetic and provide great opportunities for outdoor activities.
As with Andalusia, you can find a wide range of homes in Andalusia. You can purchase a newly constructed four-bedroom house for sale in Bensalem PA, covering 3,200 square feet for less than $600,000.
Bensalem Weather and Climate
Bensalem has Philadelphia’s climate, a humid subtropical climate with cold and snowy winters and warm but not sweltering summers. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of 30 degrees and daily lows of 22. July is the hottest month, but the average temperature is only 76 degrees, with daily highs reaching 86.
The community experiences nearly 50 inches of rain and more than 10 inches of snow every year. The rain is dispersed almost evenly throughout the year, with each month experiencing at least three inches of rain and eight rainy days. The high rain and the warm temperatures in the summer can create muggy conditions, especially in July. The best time to visit Bensalem is May or September, when temperatures are mild, and the humidity is less severe. Bensalem can experience snowstorms in the winter and brush fires in the summer, though these extreme weather conditions are rare.
What to Do in Bensalem PA
Bensalem, PA may be small, but it contains numerous family-friendly attractions, including outdoor ones. Bensalem is also a hub for shopping in the Philadelphia area. Neshaminy Mall contains 56 stores, including Aeropostale. You can also shop at Bensalem Center, which has Patel Brothers and Dollar General.
Parx Casino
Parx Casino is the top point of interest in Bensalem, being the largest gaming complex in Pennsylvania. You can play a variety of casino games, including poker and slots, and watch concerts and stand-up comedy shows at night.
2999 Street Road, Bensalem, PA 19020 888-588-7279
Neshaminy State Park
Neshaminy State Park covers more than 330 acres by the Delaware River. You and your kids can go fishing, swim in seasonal pools, and stroll along outdoor walking and hiking paths.
3401 State Road, Bensalem, PA 19020 215-639-4538
Bensalem Township Country Club
Bensalem Country Club offers an 18-hole golf course on well-manicured grounds. The club also has an on-site bar and banquet halls you can rent for special occasions for up to 250 guests.
2000 Brown Avenue, Bensalem, PA 19020 215-639-5556
Additional attractions in Bensalem
Bensalem Township Parks and Recreation takes care of Bensalem’s parks and public spaces and plans special events throughout the year. You can visit the government’s website to find when parties and other occasions take place.
Bensalem Restaurants
The Philadelphia area is best known for its cheesesteaks, roast pork sandwiches, and water ice. You can find these and other classic dishes in restaurants in Bensalem PA.
Golden Corral Buffet and Grill
Golden Corral is an American family-style restaurant with a unique all-you-can-eat buffet. You and your children can enjoy shrimp, steak, chicken, and fish made fresh for you.
1465 Street Road, Bensalem, PA 19020 215-245-5301
Metro Diner
Metro Diner serves kid-friendly diner food with Southern flavors in a casual atmosphere. You can order breakfast all day, including biscuits with gravy and avocado toast.
3630 Street Road, Bensalem, PA 19020 215-261-7080
Vincenzo’s Pizza
Vincenzos Pizza is best known for its breakfast menu, with dozens of options for omelets, sandwiches, and hot cakes. But you can also enjoy more than two dozen pizzas, including old-fashioned tomato pies.
1646 Bridgewater Road, Bensalem, PA 19020 215-608-1997
Jobs in Bensalem PA
Bensalem is a prosperous area, generating more than $1.2 billion in retail sales in 2017. 68.6% of residents older than 16 have at least one Bensalem PA job. The largest Bensalem job sectors are health care and social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade. According to Payscale, the average salary in Bensalem is $65,000 a year, while the average hourly wage for Bensalem jobs is $18.78.
Major employers in Bensalem include Healthcare Services Group, Catherines Inc, and Richlieu Associates. You can also find jobs in Bensalem using Indeed, and you can find Bensalem Township jobs with the township government.
Bensalem Schools
The Bensalem Township School District serves all students in Bensalem. Six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school are within the Bensalem school district. 89% of students graduate from Bensalem High School.
Bensalem is home to a number of private Catholic schools. St. Ephrem School has a pre-K program, making it a great choice for families with very young children. Holy Ghost Preparatory School is an all-boys high school with a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio, providing students with the care they need. Bensalem is not near any major colleges or universities.
The Bensalem Branch, Bucks County Free Library serves Bensalem residents. You can rent thousands of books, DVDs, and day passes to museums and historic homes.
Bensalem Statistics and Information
- County: Bucks
- Township: Bensalem
- Bensalem area: 21.0 square miles
- Bensalem zip code: 19020, 19053
- Bensalem area code: 215, 267, 445
- Bensalem elevation: 102 feet
- Bensalem time zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Closest airport to Bensalem: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), 26 miles from Bensalem
Bensalem Map
Explore more interesting activities, affordable single-family homes, and the best restaurants in Bensalem PA with this map of Bensalem!
Once you’ve been to Bensalem, you’ll never want to leave! It’s a beautiful waterfront community with quaint green spaces, incredible homes, and comfortable weather. Moving to Bensalem is easy, thanks to its access to public transportation and major highways.
But before you can start living in Bensalem, you must hire a team of professional Bensalem movers. Suburban Solutions has served more than 5,000 customers over the last decade. Get a free moving estimate by calling 610-314-6868.
