Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania

Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania is a First-class township located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Philadelphia Main Line, a series of affluent Philadelphia suburban communities. Lower Merion Township is the fifth most populous municipality in Pennsylvania and the most populous township.

History[edit | edit source]

Lower Merion Township was first settled in 1682 by Welsh Quakers who were granted a tract of land by William Penn. In 1713, Lower Merion was established as a Township with about 52 landholders and tenants. During the American Revolutionary War, British forces are known to have briefly occupied Lower Merion Township.

Geography[edit | edit source]

Lower Merion Township is bordered by the Schuylkill River to the north and the City of Philadelphia to the east. The township covers a total area of 23.9 square miles, of which 0.039 square miles, or 0.16%, is water.

Demographics[edit | edit source]

As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 57,825. The racial makeup of the township was 85.7% White, 5.6% African American, 0.1% Native American, 6.6% Asian, and 2.0% from two or more races.

Education[edit | edit source]

Lower Merion Township is served by the Lower Merion School District, which operates two high schools: Lower Merion High School and Harriton High School. The township is also home to several private schools, including The Baldwin School, The Haverford School, and The Shipley School.

Transportation[edit | edit source]

Lower Merion Township is served by the SEPTA regional rail lines, including the Paoli/Thorndale Line and the Cynwyd Line. The township is also served by several major highways, including Interstate 76, U.S. Route 30, and Pennsylvania Route 23.

Notable people[edit | edit source]

Lower Merion Township has been home to several notable individuals, including basketball player Kobe Bryant, actress Kat Dennings, and former U.S. Senator Arlen Specter.