Is Collegeville PA a good place to live? College Borough offers a unique blend of suburban living and big-city vibes. Between its historic charm and excellent educational institutions living in Collegeville PA is great. There are loads of local events, outdoor activities, and businesses to explore, making Collegeville one of the best suburbs in Philadelphia to call home. If moving to Collegeville is in your future, let the top Philadelphia movers, Suburban Solutions, handle your relocation.
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What Is Collegeville PA Known for – A Brief History
Collegeville PA is best known for hosting the liberal arts college, Ursinus College, its vibrant main street, and its historical roots.
Although Collegeville was originally part of the William Penn purchase of “All the land lying on the Pahkehoma” in 1684, which was purchased from the Lenape Native Americans, the community wasn’t truly established until its first post office was built in 1847. It was officially incorporated in 1896.
- Question: Why is Collegeville called Collegeville?
- Answer: Collegeville gained its name as multiple colleges are located in its area, including Pennsylvania Female College. It was first called Freeland, but the Pennsylvania Railroad changed its name in 1869.
Where Is Collegeville PA?
Collegeville is located in Montgomery County, northwest of Philadelphia. It’s 30.6 miles from Collegeville PA to Philadelphia. Major highways serving Collegeville borough are U.S. Route 422 (Pottstown Expressway), PA Route 29, PA Route 113, Germantown Pike, and PA Turnpike, allowing easy access to nearby cities. Some even refer to Collegeville as a transportation hub!
- Question: What county is Collegeville in?
- Answer: Collegeville Borough is located in Montgomery County.
Collegeville Population & Demographics
Collegeville has a population of 5,351 and a median age of 23.8. Due to Collegeville’s unique location and proximity to many colleges, its residents are mostly young people, college students, and families. The sex ratio here is 55 females to 45 males, and 22.6 % of Montgomery County’s population is of German and Welsh descent.
The mean travel time to work is 23.2 minutes, meaning many young professionals likely travel to Philly or other larger cities in its area. The poverty rate here is 4.2% below the US poverty rate, and the median household income is $99,271, which is well above the US median of $80.610
The borough is highly educated, with 97% of its residents boasting a high school diploma or higher and 53.9% having their bachelor’s degrees or higher. 17% of residents possess post-grad degrees!
Collegeville has demographics unique to any other city in Pennsylvania, as its residents are young and in college or very wealthy adults.
- Question: What county in PA has the most millionaires?
- Answer: Montgomery County has the most millionaires in PA.
Is Collegeville PA Safe – Collegeville Crime Rate
According to Collegeville’s website, the borough is ranked the second-safest place to live in the Coal State. Montgomery County is notorious for its low crime rate; MacroTrends says the crime rate in Montgomery County was 121.5 per 100,000 people in 2018. BestPlaces estimates the violent crime rate at 92 per 100,000 people, with a property crime rate of 181 per 100,000 people. There is no information available for the Collegeville crime rate.
Springfield Township, another Montgomery County community that’s just 27.2 miles from Collegeville, boasts a crime rate that’s 41.7% lower than its state and 55.8% lower than the country. According to the FBI, only 1,027 total crimes were reported in Springfield Township in the last year.
What we can determine from the statistics above is that Collegeville’s area is overall safe and boasts a low crime rate, making Colleville a great, and very safe place to live!
Cost of Living in Collegeville
Collegeville has a Cost of Living Index (COLI) of 118, making it 18% more expensive than the average US city. While utilities are only 8% more expensive and groceries 3%, the cost of housing in College Pennsylvania, is 82% higher than the average US city. Considering Collegeville was recently ranked the 2nd-best place to live in Pennsylvania, the steep price tag is unsurprising.
Is Collegeville PA a good place to live on a budget? According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need a household income of $133,018 to live comfortably in Montgomery County. Here’s a look at daily expenditures and what you can expect to spend.
Typical Collegeville* living expenses:
- Inexpensive restaurant meal: $19.00
- Gallon of milk: $5.24
Loaf of white bread: $3.84 - Dozen eggs: $4.12
- Pound of local cheese: $8.74
- Average utilities per month: $541 (per Doxo)
Source: Numbeo
*The above statistics are for Philadelphia, meaning prices may differ when living in Collegeville PA.
- Question: Is Collegeville, PA affluent?
- Answer: Collegeville PA is home to high earners, most with college degrees, making it an affluent place to live.
Collegeville PA Real Estate – Houses For Sale in Collegeville PA
Due to its desirability, Collegeville’s housing market is very competitive, with homes selling within 35.5 days and 1.4% going above the listing price.
Is Collegeville PA a good place to live on a budget? The average price per square foot here is $224, and the median sale price is $470,000, meaning homes for sale in Collegeville PA are typically 50,800 more than the US median. Whether you’re buying a house in Philadelphia, Collegeville, or another PA suburb, researching and establishing a budget is key.
There are a handful of homes, and according to Trulia, there are 37 complexes with rentals in Collegeville. RentCafe says the average rent per month in Collegeville is $2,102 for a 986-square-foot-unit.
Collegeville PA Weather
Like Philadelphia’s climate, Collegeville has a humid subtropical climate, or Cfa, according to the Koppen climate system. The summers here are warm, rainy, and humid, whereas the winters are cold and snowy. The best time to visit Collegeville is between mid-June and late September, when the temperatures are enjoyable (between 85 degrees and 66). The summer will have a decent amount of rainfall, with July experiencing about 3.8 inches.
Snowfall is most prevalent in January, with an average of 7.8 inches. The average high in the coldest season (December to March) is 48 degrees, whereas the average high in the warm season (May to September) is 76 degrees. The borough experiences an average annual rainfall of 46 inches and at least 17 inches of snow per year. There are 203 sunny days in Collegeville PA each year.
The borough doesn’t experience any extreme weather patterns besides occasional snowstorms, cold weather, and small earthquakes. There have been ten small earthquakes in Collegeville in the past 365 days.
Collegeville Neighborhoods – Where to Live?
Whether you’re a college student, a business professional, or growing a family, it’s time for you to find your dream neighborhood.
Arden Collegeville
If you’re looking for apartments for rent Collegeville PA, Parkside Providence Town Center. This development community hosts multiple complexes. Arden is a luxury-style apartment complex with close proximity to attractions like Movie Tavern.
New Communities in Collegeville
If you’re looking for new construction Collegeville PA, we have a few options for you.
- Charterville Landing – Luxury new homes in Collegeville that are priced at $1.1 million and up.
- Heartfield – Over 3,000 square foot new homes in Collegeville PA.
- The Meadows at Longview – Expansive new community in Collegeville within the Spring-Ford School District.
Things to Do in Collegeville PA
This borough hosts various shopping centers, such as the Collegeville Shopping Center and Providence Town Center, and many other fun things to do.
Evansburg State Park
Evansburg State Park provides natural beauty and plenty to do. Hiking trails, campsites, and baseball fields are just a few of the park’s great amenities.
851 Mayhall Rd, Collegeville, PA 19426, (610) 409-1150
The Philip and Muriel Berman Museum Of Art
Dive into the town’s art scene at The Philip and Muriel Berman Museum located within Ursinus College. Visitors find the sculptures breathtaking and the exhibits enlightening.
601 E Main St, Collegeville, PA 19426, (610) 409-3500
Movie Tavern Collegeville
Movie Tavern is the community’s beloved theatre. It boasts historical significance, making it a great place for a date night or family outing. They serve gourmet treats and handcrafted cocktails, allowing an elevated viewing experience.
140 Market St, Collegeville, PA 19426, (610) 831-9500
Additional Attractions
- Community Park – Large park with an extensive playground and open green space.
- Perkiomen Trail – walking area featuring Perkiomen Creek.
Is Collegeville PA a good place to live if you enjoy community events? Yes, this borough hosts a plethora of events weekly.
Collegeville Restaurants
Are you looking for the top restaurants in Collegeville PA to try? Take a look at our carefully curated list.
Ember + Ale
Ember + Ale is one of the top restaurants in Collegeville PA, thanks to its extensive menu and excellent service. Their meatballs, whipped ricotta dip, and cheesy pesto loaf are a few of their most popular items.
99 Market St #4, Collegeville, PA 19426, (484) 902-8053
P.F. Chang’s
If you’re craving convenience, P.F. Chang’s is for you. This causal chain dishes our authentic Chinese cuisine. Their orange chicken and Mongolian beef are two beloved items, but they’re really known for their high-quality ingredients.
10 Town Center Dr, Collegeville, PA 19426, (610) 489-0110
Tom’s Bar & Grille
If you’re looking for one of the tastiest restaurants near Collegeville PA, consider Tom’s in Royersford. This casual bar and grill has a unique atmosphere, live music, and tasty dishes like cheesesteaks and wings.
772 Walnut St, Royersford, PA 19468, (610) 948-0809
Collegeville Jobs
Collegeville’s economy offers the perfect balance for businesses and families to thrive.
Young professionals adore its proximity to Philadelphia’s large economy; Philly generated 450 billion in gross regional product last year. However, Montgomery County itself still has lots to offer. With leading manufacturing, healthcare, and professional services industries, living in the Collegeville area offers access to high-paying industries.
There are countless jobs in Collegeville PA to choose from, but according to Indeed, its largest employers are the United States Postal Service (USPS), UPS, McDonald’s, and Aldi. Dow Chemical Manufacturing, Pfizer, and CVS Health are also prominent employers.
Is Collegeville PA a good place to live if you expect a high-paying job? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for residents in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area is $24.12. Pediatricians, nurse anesthetists, and dentists are the area’s highest-paid professionals, earning a median hourly wage between $101.93 and $105.97.
Collegeville Schools
Collegeville Pennsylvania is home to excellent schools; its school district (Perkiomen Valley) is diverse, and its colleges are prestigious. If you want your children to have access to great schools, consider living in Collegeville PA.
Public Schools
- Perkiomen Valley High School
- South Elementary School
- Middle School East – top middle schools in Collegeville
Private Schools
- Holy Cross Regional Catholic School
Colleges
- Montgomery County Community College
- Ursinus College
- American College of Financial Services
- University of Valley Forge
Others
According to the district’s annual report, it was ranked the 33rd-best school district in Pennsylvania, with Perkiomen Valley High School ranked 36th-best by US News. PVSD tries its hardest to provide academic excellence to its students.
Additional Resources
While the district has a fantastic job educating the community, another great place to gain educational assistance is the Perkiomen Valley Library at Schwenksville. From community events to their free museum passes, cardholders get an array of benefits.
Collegeville Statistics & Information
- County: Montgomery County
- Collegeville PA area: 1.61 square miles
- Collegeville PA zip code(s): 19426, 19473
- Collegeville PA area code: 601
- Collegeville PA elevation: 207 feet
- Collegeville PA time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC -4 and -5)
- Closest airport to Collegeville: Philadelphia International Airport (PHIL) is 37.6 miles from Collegeville
Collegeville PA Map
Explore more things to do with this map of Collegeville PA.
Moving to Collegeville With Suburban Solutions
Is Collegeville a good place to live? Yes! Collegeville borough offers small-town charm and a strong sense of community you can’t get in every city. If living here seems right for you, call Suburban Solutions at (610) 314-6868 for a free estimate. We have top Collegeville movers who are ready to serve you!
