Thinking of relocating to a peaceful Philadelphia suburb? You should consider moving to Willow Grove. Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, is a census-designated place on the northern outskirts of Philadelphia. Willow Grove is known for being the home of a historic amusement park that operated from 1889 to 1976.
The name Willow Grove appeared on maps as far back as 1792, but it remains a postal designation and map site, not a political subdivision. The village began to take shape in the 1950s and quickly developed after WWII as real estate developers fled to the area following the opening of the Philadelphia Turnpike. Today, Willow Grove PA is a good place to live, with affordable home prices, natural beauty, and an easy commute to Philadelphia. Here is a closer look at what it’s like living in Willow Grove.
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Where Is Willow Grove?
Willow Grove, PA is in Montgomery County, within Upper Dublin Township, Abington Township, and Upper Moreland Township. It’s surrounded by nearby villages and communities like Horsham, Dresher, Roslyn, Abington, Bryn Athyn, and Hatbro. It’s also close to the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust Nature Preserve in Huntington Valley.
Willow Grove is in a very central location, about 31 miles or a 41-minute drive from Philadelphia, 24 miles or a 27-minute drive from Trenton, New Jersey, and 57 miles or a 1-hour drive from Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Willow Grove Population and Demographics
The population of Willow Grove is 13,730, which is actually down by 13.5% compared to 2010. However, the population density is 5,399.1, which is up by 22% since the previous census. The change is because the total area considered Willow Grove decreased from 3.66 square miles in 2010 to 2.54 miles in 2020. Several famous people have lived in Willow Grove, including first lady Jill Biden and Pennsylvania State Senator Stewart Greenleaf.
Other Willow Grove Demographics
- The population is 51% female and 49% male
- The median age is 37.6 years
- The racial and ethnic breakdown is 78.2% White (75.5% non-Hispanic), 8.8% Black or African American, 3.3% Asian, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino and 7.6% two or more races.
- The median household income is $94,587, which is about 40% higher than the rest of the Philadelphia metro area
- The foreign-born population is 7.5%
Moving to Willow Grove also offers a safe community with a crime rate that is 34% below the national average. The total crime rate is 1,543 incidents per 100,000 residents, and your chances of being the victim of a crime are 1 in 65. The violent crime rate is also 24% lower than the national average, and the property crime rate is 36% lower than the national average.
The Upper Moreland Police Department deals with crime in Willow Grove and employs 34 sworn officers.
Cost of Living in Willow Grove
Living in Willow Grove is very affordable for the quality of life that the community offers. The cost of living index for the Philadelphia metro area is 109.8, which indicates that it’s 9.8% more expensive than the rest of the country, which is low for a major metro area.
According to the Family Budget Calculator created by the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four with two adults and two children would need to make about $103,321 per year to afford to live comfortably in Montgomery County.
Typical Willow Grove living expenses
- Inexpensive restaurant: $25
- Cappuccino: $5
- Bottle of Coke: $4
- 1 Gallon of milk: $4.66
- Loaf of bread: $3.69
- 12 eggs: $4.78
- 1 pound chicken: $6.05
- 1 pound beef: $7.09
- 1 pound apples: $2.20
- 1 pound white rice: $2.17
- Average Willow Grove utilities per month: $263
Source: Numbeo
*Some data is taken from the general Philadelphia area but will be similar in Willow Grove.
Willow Grove, PA real estate is also very affordable. The median listing price of houses for sale in Willow Grove is $360,000, which is about 16.5% cheaper than the national average. The average price per square foot of Willow Grove real estate is $286.
Living in Willow Grove has plenty to offer tenants as well, as about 30% of residents are renters. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Willow Grove is $1,850 per month. Prices start around $1,200 for a 1-bedroom and go up to $2,800 for a 3-bedroom.
Willow Grove Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Willow Grove
If you’re thinking of moving to Willow Grove, you may be wondering what are the best places to live. You’ll find reasonably priced homes and easy access to amenities anywhere you go in Willow Grove. It’s a small community, so there aren’t very many distinct neighborhoods. But, the most desirable neighborhoods tend to be in the west, while the most affordable are in the north. Other nearby communities offering a similar experience to living in Willow Grove include Roslyn, Hatboro, and Jenkintown.
Willow Grove Weather & Climate
According to the Koppen climate classification system, Willow Grove has a humid continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. The temperature typically stays between 25°F and 86°F, however in the winter, it can get as cold as 12°F, and in the summer, temperatures can get up to 93°F.
Precipitation is also common in Willow Grove, which averages about 203 sunny days per year. The community experiences about 48 inches of rainfall and 17 inches of snow annually. So pack a parka and rain boots if you plan on moving to Willow Grove.
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Things to Do in Willow Grove
Although it’s a small community, residents will still find plenty of fun things to do in Willow Grove PA, and in the surrounding communities. The Willow Grove Mall is one of the main attractions in town, with 3-stories and over 130 shops, as well as a carousel. Residents can find even more shopping at Willow Grove Pointe, The Upper Dublin Shopping Center, or Regency Square. Here are a few additional Willow Grove attractions to check out.
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
Urban Air is a Trampoline park in Willow Grove offering all kinds of family-friendly fun, including obstacle courses, trampoline basketball, bumper cars, bowling, climbing walls, and so much more.
1150 Easton Rd, Willow Grove, PA 19090 (215) 902-9330
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K1 Speed – Indoor Go Karts
Racing enthusiasts will love K-1 Indoor kart racing in the adjacent town of Horsham, which features a challenging indoor track and offers packages for birthday parties and corporate events.
200 Blair Mill Rd #100, Horsham, PA 19044 (267) 387-6790
Rose Bridge Farm
Rose Bridge Farm in Dresher is another local favorite that features an animal sanctuary that is available to the public for feeding sessions, along with other unique attractions like glamping, unicorn photo shoots, and goat hiking.
1314 Limekiln Pike, Dresher, PA 19025 (215) 209-9561
Additional Willow Grove attractions
If you’re looking for more fun things to do in Willow Grove, the Upper Moreland Township Parks, and Recreation Department maintains several green spaces in the area and hosts frequent community events for residents to enjoy.
Willow Grove Restaurants
You will also find a wide variety of outstanding restaurants in Willow Grove, from Italian bistros to Japanese cuisine. Here are some of the top restaurants in Willow Grove, PA.
Bistro Albertino
Widely considered one of the best restaurants in Willow Grove, PA, Bistro Albertino is a cozy Italian eatery with a BYOB policy that offers classic Italian dishes and a fantastic tiramisu.
634 York Rd., Willow Grove, PA 19090 (267) 781-7229
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Tanoshii
Tanoshii is an upscale Japanese restaurant in Willow Grove offering innovative dishes like bulgogi tacos and smoked salmon tartare.
3 Easton Rd, Willow Grove, PA 19090 (215) 366-5412
Giuseppe Pizza and Family Restaurant
If you’re in the mood for pizza, Giuseppe’s is one of the best willow grove PA restaurants for families with traditional pasta, pizzas, wings, calzones, and other delicious dishes.
1200 N York Rd, Willow Grove, PA 19090 (215) 659-4580
Jobs in Willow Grove
Living in Willow Grove also offers ample employment opportunities and an easy commute to Philadelphia for more work. The Willow Grove economy is primarily supported by industries like educational services, healthcare and social services, and finance and insurance. Most residents are employed in sales, management positions, office, and administrative support, and business and financial operations.
The top employers in Montgomery County are:
- Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
- Abington Memorial Hospital
- Main Line Hospitals Inc
- Pennsylvania State Government
- Albert Einstein Medical Center
Asplundh Tree Expert Company is also headquartered in the community, and China Airlines operates its Philadelphia mini office on Computer Avenue, offering additional jobs in Willow Grove, PA. According to Payscale, the average employee in Willow Grove earns about $70,000 per year.
Average salaries of a few common Willow Grove jobs include:
- Project manager: $77,301
- Office manager: $58,250
- Executive assistant: $60,173
- Radio frequency engineer: $114,581
- Loan officer: $38,704
Residents will find many high-paying Willow Grove jobs, from sales representatives to construction management.
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Willow Grove Schools
The main Willow Grove school district is Upper Moreland Township ISD, although some students also attend schools in the Abington or Upper Dublin School District. The Upper Moreland Township ISD features four schools and enrolls 3330 students, with a graduation rate of 96.1%. Upper Moreland Township High School is located in Willow Grove and ranks among the top 150 Pennsylvania High Schools and within the top 70 Philadelphia area high schools, according to US News and World Report.
The Queen of Angels Regional Catholic School is a private school in Willow Grove, offering religious education to students in grades K-8.
Residents can also head down to the Willow Grove Branch of the Upper Moreland Free Public Library to take out books and attend community events.
Willow Grove Statistics and Information
- Willow Grove, PA county: Montgomery County
- Willow Grove, PA area: 2.54 square miles
- Willow Grove, PA zip code: 19090
- Willow Grove, PA area code: 267
- Willow Grove, PA elevation: 269 feet
- Willow Grove, PA time zone: Eastern Standard Time
- Closest airport: Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) is 26.1 miles away
Willow Grove PA Map
Explore more fun things to do, restaurants, attractions, and more with this map of Willow Grove, PA.
When you’re ready to make the journey to this quaint Philadelphia suburb, trust the team of Willow Grove movers to make your relocation easy and stress-free. Call 610-314-6868 today to request a free moving estimate.
