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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

See also

• List of townships in Pennsylvania
• List of municipalities in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

External links

• Lower Merion Township official website