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Jenkintown History

Jenkintown is named after Welsh pioneer settler William Jenkins. The area was first settled in 1697, and was incorporated in 1874. About 248 acres of land were taken from Abington Township to form Jenkintown, which is one of the oldest areas in Montgomery County. Due to its rich past, the town is focused on restoring older historic landmarks that have created the borough’s unique feel.

The Borough of Jenkintown is located right outside Philadelphia along Route 611 corridor and is right between Abington And Cheltenham Townships. Today, this beautiful community is one of the jewels of Montgomery County, and its 0.58 square miles are home to 4,700+ residents. 

While Jenkintown is mostly a residential community, it is divided into East and West by the Business District that runs along York Road/Route 611. On the east side of York Road, most residential housing and Jenkintown homes for rent consist of single-family homes on larger-than-average lots. On the contrary, houses for rent in Jenkintown PA on the southeast side of York Road included a mix of row homes, duplexes, and single-family homes. Most residents live on the west of York Road, however, and the area is a traditional small town mix of single-family homes, duplexes, and row homes, There are also several multi-family apartment communities located in the area, with 100 York being the most desirable. If you’re looking for apartments for rent near Jenkintown, PA, 100 York is a wonderful option that provides an amenities-packed luxurious lifestyle. 

The Borough of Jenkintown has put much effort into reviving the Uptown West neighborhood, especially in the last few years. These efforts include the implementation of streetscape improvements, increased public parking and shared parking, traffic calming measures, and renovations to the Hiway Theatre and the Salem Baptist Church. Another historic aspect of Jenkintown is its Fire Departments, both founded more than one hundred and twenty-five years ago. The Jenkintown Fire Department is a volunteer Department consisting of the Pioneer Fire Company #1 and the Independent Fire Company #2. The Pioneer Company was organized in 1884 and the Independent Company was organized in 1889 as a part of the borough’s historical division between Catholics and Protestants. The Fire Department has a total membership of approximately 150 with 50 members being the active firefighting crew.

Job availabilities in Jenkintown

If you’re looking to advance your career, there are four primary industries in Jenkintown that offer many opportunities: healthcare, education, scientific, and retail. Together, these industries account for 30% of the workforce in the town. In terms of job function, 9% of the town’s population works in sales, which ranks as the top career path in the town. Jenkintown workers take home an average annual income of about $96K, about $32,000 more than the average Pennsylvania resident. The town’s average income also compares favorably to the national average of $73,345. Jenkintown has a high concentration of residents older than 25 with advanced degrees compared to the national average (7%), as 14% have earned a Master’s or a Doctorate. In addition, 24% possess a Bachelor’s degree, which is also higher than the national average.

Parks near Jenkintown, PA

Jenkintown is a nature lover’s dream home! If you’d like to shoot some hoops, play a game of tennis, or enjoy a picnic lunch, Jenkintown has trails, courts, and green spaces that are perfect for getting out in nature. 

Nearby parks include:  

• Briar Bush Nature Center
• Lorimer Park
• Awbury Arboretum
• Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust
• Wissahickon Valley Park
• Cedar Street Moretti Park
• Ralph Morgan Park
• Hallowell Park
• Alverthorpe Park
• J. Boyd Coates Memorial Park
• Valley Park
• Richard Wall Park
• Abington Township Game Preserve
• Thomas Williams Park
• Meadowbrook Bird Sanctuary
• Cegielkowski Park
• Ethel Jordan Park
• Harry Renninger Field 
• Penbryn Township Park
• Curtis Dog Park

Architecture in Jenkintown

If you’re looking for architectural sites of interest, Jenkintown’s Art Deco Strawbridge & Clothier Store and the Jenkins’ Town Lyceum Building (now known as Jenkintown Library) are both on the National Register of Historic Places. Also on that list, Salem Baptist Church famously hosted Martin Luther King Jr. two months after his legendary “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington. The 45-acre expanse of Curtis Hall Arboretum in nearby Wyncote features a national landmark building as well as two ponds, 50 different tree species, and a Valley of Remembrance honoring World War II veterans.

Schools in Jenkintown, PA

If you’re starting a family, or moving to Jenkintown with school-aged children, you’ll be happy to hear that Jenkintown has a top-rated school system, including schools like Jenkintown Elementary School and Jenkintown Middle/High School. The schools are located in Jenkintown’s residential areas and are easily accessible to most apartments in Jenkintown for rent. According to the school district of Jenkintown, their mission statement is “As the center of a small, uniquely engaged community, The School District of Jenkintown is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment with diverse, challenging learning opportunities for all students to acquire the motivation, knowledge, and skills to achieve academic excellence while competing in and contributing to a rapidly changing global society.”

According to Great School Rating, Jenkintown Middle/High School ranks above average in test scores (8/10), college readiness (10/10), and has a 98% 4-year graduation rate, compared to the 86% state average.  

If you’re a student in college or university, you’ll have easy access to Salus university, Manor College, Ukrainian Heritage studies Center, Alvernia University-Philadelphia Center, Penn State Abington, Arcadia University, La Salle University, Bryn Athyn College, Temple University Commonwealth, DeVry University, Drexel University, Temple University- Fort Washington Campus, Montgomery County Community College, Gwynedd Mercy University, University of Pennsylvania-Ren, Strayer University, or Villanova University.

Shopping in Jenkintown

Convenient shopping centers in Jenkintown include:

• Huntingdon Valley Shopping Center
• Baederwood Shops on the Fairway
• Abington Shopping Center
• Willow Grove Park Shopping Center
• Jenkintown Place
• Jenkintown Square
• Cloverly Plaza
• Noble Square

While there are many big-box stores and retailers in nearby neighborhoods, Jenkintown’s unique charm lies in the small shops the line the busiest road in the borough – Old York Road. This borough is also known for Jenkintown Farmer’s Market on Greenwood Avenue. From spring until summer, locals head here each week to pick up produce, artisan bread, meat, and handmade crafts.

The Piazza on the square is a quaint part of town with several dining and retail options as well little villas to relax in and enjoy the scenic views. As one of Jenkintown’s top destination, you can visit one of the five restaurants along the piazza, shop the nine charming stores, and attend a summer concert in the park.

Things to do and dining in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania

As the heart of Montgomery County, Jenkintown is bursting with local attractions. Stroll through the shops in Jenkintown’s town square, catch a show at the historic Keswick Theatre or see the latest on exhibit at Abington Art Center. The Goldbergs Tour is a favorite as well. The tour includes favorite points of interest from the popular ABC show The Goldbergs, which is based on the Jenkintown childhood of creator Adam Goldberg. The Keswick Theatre in neighboring Glenside might be 83 years old but is just as vibrant as ever for music performance, earning recognition by Pollstar as a Top 50 U.S. Venue. The Abington Art Center is a dynamic art gallery that has delighted visitors since 1939. The Center is a mix of galleries, studio spaces, and gardens all inside the historic Alverthorpe Manor.  Art holds a unique place in the Jenkintown community, and there are nearly 10 art galleries in the town, as well as annual events such as the Jenkintown Festival of Arts and the Sunset Run 5K. The Hiway Theater is a single-screen cinema that was built in 1913, and is still the place to view new releases and classics. 

Jenkintown has a vibrant dining scene with loads of options for any local or visitor. Favorite restaurants near 100 York apartments include Chef Vargas, Newbolds Food and Libations, Lilly’s Authentic Indian Cuisine, and Bella’s Restaurant and Pizzeria. Nightlight in Jenkintown is unmatched as well, with numerous bars and pubs.

Transporation in Jenkintown, PA

Jenkintown residents have an average commute of about 32 minutes, which is a little longer than the state average of about 28 minutes. Many residents (35%) commute to work by car or truck, while public transit is used by just 9% of the population. Not many residents (2%) walk to work, though the number is still above the national average.

Since Jenkintown is less than one square mile, the small area makes transportation simple and accessible. When choosing to walk, most residents will do errands on foot along Old York Road, although most of the residential roads are suitable for walking as well. On a bike, it can take just 10 minutes to ride through the entire borough. 

The borough has one large SEPTA Train Line stop at the Jenkintown/Wyncote Station off West Avenue. The Warminster Line, West Trenton Line, Airport Line and Lansdale/Doylestown Line each stop through this station every 15 minutes and provide residents with the ability to commute to Philadelphia in about 35 minutes. The Route 77 bus provides connecting service to nearby stations.

Even with all these mass transit options, 76% of locals prefer driving or carpooling to public transportation as their primary means of getting around. Driving to the city takes roughly the same amount of time as taking the train, and greatly improves navigating the borough itself. Paid parking at the train station and free spots along residential roads make owning a car relatively convenient for a borough less than 10 miles away from a major city. The borough’s size limits it from being a neighborhood where taxis can be hailed, but locals can call ahead or use Uber to schedule their rides. To head away from Jenkintown, take Old York Road to connect to the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the north or the Delaware Expressway to the south.