Prospect Park, Pennsylvania

Prospect Park is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,454 at the 2010 census,[3] down from 6,594 at the 2000 census. It originated as a bedroom community of Philadelphia. It is located within 10 miles (16 km) of Center City, Philadelphia, with convenient rail access (SEPTA, and connection to Amtrak).

For other places with the same name, see Prospect Park (disambiguation).
Prospect Park, Pennsylvania
Borough
The Morton Homestead, built 1698
Location in Delaware County and the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
Prospect Park
Location of Prospect Park in Pennsylvania
Prospect Park
Prospect Park (the United States)
Coordinates: 39°53′09″N 75°18′26″W
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyDelaware
Area
 • Total0.74 sq mi (1.93 km2)
 • Land0.73 sq mi (1.90 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation
75 ft (23 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total6,454
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
6,492
 • Density8,868.85/sq mi (3,425.49/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
19076
Area code(s)610 and 484
FIPS code42-045-62792
FIPS code42-62792
GNIS feature ID1184455
Websiteprospectparkboro.com

History

In 1874, John Cochran of Chester purchased 103 acres from Joshua Pierson with the intention of dividing the property into lots and selling them.[4] These properties formed the current community of Prospect Park.

Prospect Hill Baptist Church in Prospect Park claims a prominent role in instituting the phrase "In God We Trust" on United States coins and currency. A former pastor, Mark R. Watkinson, felt that the Civil War was going to leave the country with a bad name, "brother fighting brother in a civil war", and wrote a letter to Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, suggesting "God, Liberty, Law," be put on the coins. Chase referred the matter to James B. Longacre, Mint Engraver. A committee later settled on "In God We Trust", and the words first appeared on a 2-cent coin. A plaque on the outside of the church announces the birthplace of the phrase.

The Morton Homestead, one of the oldest buildings in Pennsylvania, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.[5] The Park Square, located between 9th and 10th streets, is becoming a central focal point of the town. Our annual Fourth of July parade goes around our town and ends up at the Park Square. There are also musical events on Tuesdays during the summer months. The types vary from String bands to classical to rock and pop. Fun fact, the Park Square pavilion in the center of the park is the main backdrop for numerous wedding pictures. Also, the yearly prom goers for Interboro High School meet at the Park to get pictures taken as well as to board their busses for the dance. Plenty to do including a basketball court, swing sets, and sliding boards.

Geography

Prospect Park is located in southeastern Delaware County at 39°53′9″N 75°18′26″W (39.885712, -75.307166).[6] It is bordered to the east by Norwood, to the south by Tinicum Township, to the west by Ridley Park, and to the west and north by Ridley Township.

U.S. Route 13 crosses the borough, leading northeast to Philadelphia and southwest 4 miles (6 km) to Chester. Pennsylvania Route 420 (Lincoln Avenue) crosses US 13 and leads north 2 miles (3 km) to Morton and south 1 mile (1.6 km) to Interstate 95 at Exit 9.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough of Prospect Park has a total area of 0.73 square miles (1.9 km2), of which 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2), or 1.57%, is water.[3]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1880197—
19001,059—
19101,65556.3%
19202,53653.2%
19304,62382.3%
19405,10010.3%
19505,83414.4%
19606,59613.1%
19707,2509.9%
19806,593−9.1%
19906,7642.6%
20006,594−2.5%
20106,454−2.1%
2019 (est.)6,492[2]0.6%
Sources:[7][8][9]

As of Census 2010, the racial makeup of the borough was 92.6% White, 3.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population .

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 6,594 people, 2,577 households, and 1,600 families residing in the borough. The population density was 8,859.7 people per square mile (3,440.5/km²). There were 2,683 housing units at an average density of 3,604.9 per square mile (1,399.9/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 95.44% White, 1.38% African American, 0.12% Native American, 1.74% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population.

There were 2,577 households, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the borough, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $45,244, and the median income for a family was $51,966. Males had a median income of $38,914 versus $30,717 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $19,801. There are 3.6% of families living below the poverty line and 4.3% of the population, including 2.6% of under eighteens and 12.1% of those over 64.

Transportation

Prospect Park Station is a SEPTA train station on the Wilmington/Newark Line.

Education

Students living in Prospect Park attend classes within the Interboro School District, which consists of Prospect Park and its neighboring regions Glenolden, Norwood, and Tinicum Township.

The school district's administrative offices are located within the borough, as is Interboro High School.

Famous Residents

W. Carter Merbreier created and co-hosted the long-running syndicated children's television series, Captain Noah and His Magical Ark , in 1967. He was born in Prospect Park on August 26, 1926.

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Prospect Park borough, Pennsylvania". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  4. Ashmeade, Henry Graham (1884). History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co. p. 748. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  5. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  7. "Census of Population and Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  8. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  9. "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 17 June 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
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