Pottstown, PA

Pottstown, Pennsylvania

Introduction to Pottstown, Pennsylvania

Pottstown, Pennsylvania, in Montgomery county, is 15 miles SE of Reading, Pennsylvania (center to center) and 32 miles NW of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The town is home to some 21,859 residents.

Pottstown History

The area now known as Pottstown was originally a land grant to William Penn. English, Germans, and Swedes were among the first settlers in the region. An iron forge was established in 1714, which caused the iron industry to become an important component of the community's economy. The Potts family, who were iron masters by profession, arrived in the mid-18th century and founded another forge. In 1761, John Potts established the town on 995 acres of land, and in 1815, it was officially incorporated as "Pottstown". The Reading Railroad's extension to Mount Carbon brought further prosperity to the community.

Pottstown and Nearby Attractions

• Pottsgrove Manor
• Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
• Valley Forge Historical Society Museum
• Mennonite Heritage Center
• Elmwood Park Zoo
• French Creek State Park

Things To Do In Pottstown

Pottsgrove Manor, the house of John Potts who founded the community, was constructed in 1752 and features early Georgian architecture. The 197-acre arboretum and conservation area, Welkinweir, which is also located in Pottstown, is currently on the list of the National Register of Historic Places. The Mennonite Heritage Center showcases exhibits of the history of Mennonites in southern Pennsylvania. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Valley Forge National Historical Park, Peter Wentz Farmstead, and Daniel Boone Homestead are some of the nearby places of historic interest. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, camping, and picnicking at the Evansburg State Park Marsh Creek State Park, and French Creek State Park. Some of these parks also include golf courses. The community hosts the Colonial May Fair during May every year.

Pottstown Transportation

Air transportation is available from the Philadelphia International Airport.

Pottstown Higher Education

Montgomery County Community College - West Campus is situated in Pottstown. Valley Forge Christian College, Albright College, Ursinus College, and Eastern University are located nearby.

High Points

Pottstown strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Pennsylvania):

Category	Trophy
Racial Diversity (vs. State)	Top 4%
Walking and Biking to Work (vs. Peers)	Top 9%

Comparative Profile of Pottstown, PA

Comparing Pottstown to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Pennsylvania (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Racial Diversity
Children Under 5 Years Old
Senior Citizens
Female Share of the Population
Well-Paid Single Women
Well-Paid Single Men
Age of the Population
Male Share of the Population

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Average Household Size
Portion of People Married

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
People in Middle Class or Better
Median Family Income
People Above Poverty
College Educated Adults

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Walking and Biking to Work
Public Transportation Use
Short Commute Times
Working at Home

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
People Living Alone
Affordability of Rents
Affordability of Property Taxes
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Housing Recently Built

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Property Crime
Low Violent Crime

Pottstown Almanac

Pottstown Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Pottstown Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Nearby Cities and Towns

Pottstown Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Pottstown Hospitals

POTTSTOWN MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER
(Proprietary)
1600 EAST HIGH STREET AND ARMAND HAMMER BLVD
(610) 327-7000
Emergency Service: Yes

Wal-Mart in Pottstown

Pottstown High Schools (2004)

OWEN J ROBERTS HS
610-469-5101
Serves 1,315 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 16.1

POTTSGROVE SHS
610-326-5105
Serves 1,077 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 18

POTTSTOWN SHS
610-970-6700
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 863 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 13.7

Pottstown Colleges

Click school name for a detailed profile.

Antonelli Medical and Professional Institute

Montgomery County Community College-West Campus

(List of All Pennsylvania Colleges)

NEW: Community Comments below!