Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania

Upper Merion Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located approximately 15 miles northwest of Philadelphia. The township is home to the King of Prussia Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in the United States, and the Valley Forge National Historical Park, a site of significant historical importance from the American Revolutionary War.

History

Upper Merion Township was established in 1713, and its name is believed to have been derived from the Welsh county of Merionethshire. The area was originally inhabited by the Lenape Native American tribe. During the American Revolutionary War, the area was the site of the Battle of Valley Forge, a pivotal encampment of the Continental Army.

Geography

Upper Merion Township is bordered by the Schuylkill River to the east and the Chester Valley to the west. The township is primarily suburban in nature, with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas.

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, the township had a population of 28,395. The racial makeup of the township was predominantly White, with a significant Asian and African American population.

Education

Upper Merion Township is served by the Upper Merion Area School District, which operates several elementary schools, a middle school, and Upper Merion Area High School.

Transportation

The township is served by several major highways, including Interstate 76, U.S. Route 202, and U.S. Route 422. Public transportation is provided by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), which operates bus and rail service in the area.

Notable people

Several notable individuals hail from Upper Merion Township, including Jayne Mansfield, a prominent actress of the 1950s and 1960s, and Reggie Jackson, a Hall of Fame baseball player.

See also

• List of townships in Pennsylvania
• Montgomery County, Pennsylvania