The King of Prussia community is one steeped in history and centered around an active shopping district. Located 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia, this community is home to 22,000 residents and is cradled by the southern banks of the Schuylkill River. The town makes up a majority of the Upper Merion Township in Montgomery County.
King of Prussia's name comes from an 18th-century farmhouse-turned-tavern that served as a stopping point for horseback travelers a one-day ride from Philadelphia en route to Reading. The community borders Valley Forge Historic Park, the winter base of Washington’s continental army during the Revolutionary War, and this historic footprint continues to leave its mark on the area, with memorials throughout town and protected natural areas serving as community staples.
The area’s single-family homes were largely built between the 1950s and 1980s, with a few dating back to the turn of the century. Bi-levels, Colonial Revivals and split-levels are common styles among these late 20th century homes, while new subdivisions are dotted with modern craftsman-style homes. The average home here costs around $530,000, which is almost double the average Pennsylvania listing price and over $100,000 higher than the national average.
Four bedroom, 1,500-square-foot bi-levels built in the 1950s hit the market for $450,000, while a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo unit can be listed in the upper $200,000s or lower $300,000s. Newly built craftsman-style builds make up the market’s high end, with 3,000-square-foot homes listed in the $900,000s. “Be prepared for a competitive market. But you’ll get the best bang for your buck here,” says Gregory Martire, a local Realtor with Springer Realty Group. Most houses are off the market within a month of being listed. The King of Prussia housing market continues to expand, with numerous single and multi-family developments in the works, including The Stonebrook at Upper Merion subdivision, which is building dozens of Welch craftsman style houses and townhouse units.
Many families are drawn to the area by its highly rated public schools. Students are served by the Upper Merion Area School District, which Niche ranks in the top 10% of Pennsylvania school districts. Five of the district’s seven schools earn impressive A overall grades from Niche, and every school earns a grade of B or higher. Many households are within walking distance of the nearest elementary school, and well-maintained sidewalks lining the streets serve as routes to and from school.
Upper Merion Area Middle School and Upper Merion Area High each earn A ratings, and the high school is the 42nd best public high school in Pennsylvania, according to Niche. Around 1,300 students attend Upper Merion High, where they can consider over 40 extracurricular clubs and activities. The high school also partners with Montgomery County Community College for 13 dual enrollment courses, where attendees can earn both college and high school credit simultaneously.
Hundreds of acres of public green space and dozens of miles of paved and dirt trails are accessible to locals, including the 3,500-acre Valley Forge National Historic Park. With war monuments and historic buildings dating back 250 years, the park draws in history buffs and local outdoor enthusiasts alike. Meadows and woodlands make up Valley Forge’s natural scene, with 35 miles of dedicated trails ideal for hiking, running and mountain biking. The Schuylkill River Trail can be accessed from the national historic park and Heuser Park, a path that spans 120 miles, from Philly to Frackville. Sports lovers flock to Heuser Park when the weather is nice to use its football fields, baseball diamonds, and multiuse sports fields while parents bring their little ones to the park’s playground.
On Saturdays from 10am to 2pm between May and September, residents peruse the booths at the Upper Merion Farmers Market at Norview Farm Park to shop for locally grown produce and handcrafted goods while supporting local businesses. Folks can also grow their own fresh produce by reserving one of the 60 plots at the Sunny Hill Farm Community Garden.
The King of Prussia shopping mall is a community staple and draws in shoppers from surrounding communities. Over 450 businesses can be found here, from expansive department stores to small boutiques and restaurants. Surrounding the mall, locals shop for their household essentials and groceries at Costco, Wegmans, Walmart or Target. Encircling this retail hub is a variety of chain sit down restaurants and fast-food spots, along with a few local options. Popular eateries include Founding Farmers, known for its scratch-made bread and brunch service, and Screwballs Sports Bar & Grille is an unassuming spot for cold brews and cocktails alongside some classic American pub fare. Screwballs also hosts live music and trivia nights.
The area’s crime rate is slightly higher than the national average, with a rate of 17.32 per 1,000 residents. King of Prussia earns a C overall crime grade from CrimeGrade.org, and the northwest end of the community sees the least amount of crime. While there is more crime here than the average United States town, the crime rate in King of Prussia is lower than that of nearby communities like Bridgeport and Norristown.
Interstate 76 and the 276 turnpike both pass through King of Prussia, and it takes around 25 minutes to reach Philadelphia on an average day. All residents are within a few miles of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s, known by locals as SEPTA, DeKalb Street Station, where travelers can hop on the commuter rail for the 45-minute ride to downtown Philly. SEPTA also has numerous bus stops throughout the community.
