King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania | |
---|---|
UTC-4 (EDT) | |
ZIP Code | 19406 |
Area codes | 610 and 484 |
GNIS feature ID | 1178473[3] |
King of Prussia (also referred to as KOP)[4] is a census-designated place in Upper Merion Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 22,028.
The community took its unusual name in the 18th century from a local tavern named the
King of Prussia is considered to be an edge city of Philadelphia, consisting of large amounts of retail and office space situated at the convergence of four highways.
King of Prussia is located 35 miles (56 km) south of Allentown and 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Philadelphia. It is considered part of the larger Philadelphia metropolitan area.
History
The eponymous
Parker's spy map,[6][7] created by William Parker, an American Loyalist, listed the inn as "Berry's" in 1777, but a local petition in 1786 identified it as the "King of Prussia". It was possibly renamed in honor of Benjamin Franklin's pro-American satirical essay "An Edict by the King of Prussia".[8][failed verification] At some point a wooden signboard of the inn depicted King Frederick II (Frederick the Great) of Prussia. The inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[9]
20th century
The inn was forced to move with the expansion of U.S. Route 202. U.S. 202 is a major north–south highway that passes through the town from southwest to northeast. Its construction as an expressway would have caused the destruction of the King of Prussia Inn; however, historic preservationists managed to prevail upon the state of Pennsylvania to avoid this important structure by building north and southbound lanes on either side of it. For more than a quarter century, the inn was marooned on a median island, with motor traffic whizzing past on both sides. It was sealed up for years, surrounded by a high fence. The inn was successfully relocated in 2000 and re-opened to the public in October 2002.
The extensive suburban development that has taken place since the 1960s in King of Prussia has led urban planning scholars like Joel Garreau to label the area as an epitome of the edge city phenomenon, a situation where the most vibrant economic growth and prosperity in a metropolitan area (in this case, Philadelphia) no longer occurs in the urban center, but rather at its periphery. Before 1960, the Greater King of Prussia area was known for little more than being the place of Washington's winter respite in 1777-8 (see Valley Forge National Historical Park).[10] The growth in King of Prussia developed around the convergence of four highways with the construction of the King of Prussia mall, a large business park, and housing developments.[4]
In the late 1980s, developer Dennis Maloomian acquired a golf course near the King of Prussia mall and planned a mixed-use residential and retail development that would include a town center for King of Prussia. The proposed development needed to be rezoned but Upper Merion Township officials and local residents were opposed to the plans. After several court battles, the
21st century
By the 2000s, the business park in King of Prussia was outdated and was losing tenants. By 2009, several office building owners pushed for Upper Merion Township to improve the business park. Improvements were made to King of Prussia including landscaping the median of US 202, installing King of Prussia signs at the borders to the community, creating a shuttle service connecting the business park to nearby train stations, and changing the zoning laws to allow for apartments and townhouses to be constructed in the business park. The vacancy rates at the business park have since dropped.[4]
In 2016, the two sections of the King of Prussia mall, The Plaza, and The Court, were joined to create one large shopping mall after an expansion corridor was built.[12]
Geography
There is no incorporated city of King of Prussia, although the
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 8.5 square miles (22 km2), of which 8.4 square miles (22 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2), or 0.83%, is water.
The area is served by area codes 610 and 484.
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1990 | 18,406 | — | |
2000 | 18,511 | 0.6% | |
2010 | 19,936 | 7.7% | |
2020 | 24,695 | 23.9% | |
[14][15][2] |
As of the 2010 census, the CDP was 69.4% White Non-Hispanic, 5.7% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 18.6% Asian, and 2.1% were two or more races. 4.2% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry. 22.4% of the population was foreign-born.[16]
As of the
There were 8,245 households, out of which 21.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.1% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 17.6% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 35.1% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $62,012, and the median income for a family was $75,882. Males had a median income of $50,803 versus $37,347 for females. The
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and cool to cold winters. According to the
Climate data for King of Prussia, Pennsylvania | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 76 (24) |
75 (24) |
83 (28) |
98 (37) |
98 (37) |
100 (38) |
108 (42) |
106 (41) |
102 (39) |
90 (32) |
85 (29) |
76 (24) |
108 (42) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 40 (4) |
44 (7) |
53 (12) |
64 (18) |
74 (23) |
83 (28) |
87 (31) |
86 (30) |
78 (26) |
67 (19) |
56 (13) |
45 (7) |
65 (18) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 22 (−6) |
24 (−4) |
31 (−1) |
41 (5) |
51 (11) |
61 (16) |
66 (19) |
64 (18) |
56 (13) |
44 (7) |
35 (2) |
27 (−3) |
44 (6) |
Record low °F (°C) | −12 (−24) |
−5 (−21) |
8 (−13) |
15 (−9) |
29 (−2) |
28 (−2) |
48 (9) |
40 (4) |
35 (2) |
26 (−3) |
14 (−10) |
−10 (−23) |
−12 (−24) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.40 (86) |
3.17 (81) |
4.00 (102) |
4.03 (102) |
4.21 (107) |
3.98 (101) |
4.76 (121) |
4.37 (111) |
4.87 (124) |
3.73 (95) |
3.80 (97) |
4.17 (106) |
48.49 (1,233) |
Source: The Weather Channel[19] |
Climate data for Norristown, Pennsylvania (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 76 (24) |
78 (26) |
84 (29) |
98 (37) |
98 (37) |
100 (38) |
108 (42) |
106 (41) |
102 (39) |
92 (33) |
85 (29) |
76 (24) |
108 (42) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 41.7 (5.4) |
43.5 (6.4) |
52.1 (11.2) |
64.8 (18.2) |
74.8 (23.8) |
84.0 (28.9) |
88.8 (31.6) |
86.5 (30.3) |
80.0 (26.7) |
68.4 (20.2) |
56.8 (13.8) |
46.3 (7.9) |
65.6 (18.7) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 32.1 (0.1) |
34.1 (1.2) |
41.8 (5.4) |
53.1 (11.7) |
63.4 (17.4) |
73.0 (22.8) |
77.7 (25.4) |
75.9 (24.4) |
68.8 (20.4) |
56.5 (13.6) |
45.9 (7.7) |
37.3 (2.9) |
55.0 (12.8) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 22.6 (−5.2) |
24.7 (−4.1) |
31.6 (−0.2) |
41.5 (5.3) |
52.1 (11.2) |
62.0 (16.7) |
66.6 (19.2) |
65.2 (18.4) |
57.6 (14.2) |
44.6 (7.0) |
35.1 (1.7) |
28.3 (−2.1) |
44.3 (6.8) |
Record low °F (°C) | −12 (−24) |
−5 (−21) |
8 (−13) |
15 (−9) |
29 (−2) |
41 (5) |
48 (9) |
40 (4) |
35 (2) |
26 (−3) |
14 (−10) |
−10 (−23) |
−12 (−24) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.66 (93) |
2.98 (76) |
4.41 (112) |
3.90 (99) |
4.25 (108) |
4.20 (107) |
4.70 (119) |
4.98 (126) |
4.91 (125) |
4.32 (110) |
3.61 (92) |
4.73 (120) |
50.65 (1,287) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 6.8 (17) |
10.9 (28) |
3.0 (7.6) |
0.2 (0.51) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.1 (0.25) |
4.2 (11) |
25.3 (64) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 11.0 | 9.4 | 11.1 | 12.8 | 14.1 | 11.9 | 10.7 | 10.4 | 8.9 | 11.2 | 9.3 | 10.5 | 131.3 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 3.3 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.4 | 9.5 |
Source: |
Economy
King of Prussia has an unemployment rate of 4.30% and an annual job growth of about 1.44% and 38% over the next ten years.[22] A large portion of that comes from the King of Prussia mall, the third largest shopping complex in the United States by shopping area square footage and the numerous employers in the area. The King of Prussia mall consists of over 450 stores, including several luxury retailers, and 8 anchor stores. The mall attracts 22 million visitors annually and produces $1.1 billion in annual sales.[23] A large business park is located to the northwest of the King of Prussia mall, with over 60 commercial and industrial companies on 676 acres. There are about 60,000 people employed in King of Prussia, which is three times the resident population.[4]
King of Prussia is home to the headquarters of
According to Upper Merion Township's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[25]
# | Employer | # of Employees | Community |
---|---|---|---|
1 | GlaxoSmithKline
|
2,259 | King of Prussia |
2 | Lockheed Martin | 2,255 | King of Prussia |
3 | Valley Forge Colonial LTD | 1,117 | King of Prussia |
4 | US Liability Insurance Co. | 938 | King of Prussia |
5 | Phila. Media Newspapers Inc. | 843 | King of Prussia |
6 | Radial
|
742 | Wayne |
7 | Arkema | 639 | King of Prussia |
8 | BNY Mellon Investment Servicing | 638 | King of Prussia |
9 | HIBU of PA | 635 | King of Prussia |
10 | Commonwealth of PA | 574 | King of Prussia |
In addition, major commercial property owners in King of Prussia formed an organization in 2010 called the King of Prussia District (KOP-BID) that works to improve the physical environment, market the area, and advocate for zoning, tax and transportation policies that will keep King of Prussia competitive in the region.[26]
Sports
The Philadelphia Freedoms tennis team of World TeamTennis played in King of Prussia in 2008 and 2009. Whenever a tennis event was to occur, a temporary tennis stadium that seated 3,000 was constructed in the parking lot of the King of Prussia mall. Eventually, the Freedoms left for The Pavilion at Villanova University in 2010.[27]
Education
Schools
Public school students in the King of Prussia area attend schools in the Upper Merion Area School District. The district is currently served by five elementary schools: Bridgeport, Caley, Candlebrook, Gulph and Roberts. Belmont Terrace Elementary School, which was built in 1958, closed as an elementary school in 1982.[28] All students in the Upper Merion Area School District also attend Upper Merion Area Middle School and Upper Merion Area High School.
King of Prussia also has a private school, Mother Teresa Regional Catholic School.[29] It was formed in 2012 by the merger of Mother of Divine Providence in King of Prussia and St. Teresa of Avila in West Norriton.[30]
Colleges
The
Points of interest
King of Prussia is home to the
King of Prussia is also the location of the Valley Forge Casino Resort, which has over 500 hotel rooms, 600 slot machines, table games, sports betting, seven restaurants, a spa, nightlife, a convention center, and a seasonal poolside club called Valley Beach.[36] Valley Forge National Historical Park, which consists of the site where General George Washington and the Continental Army made their encampment at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777–78 in the American Revolutionary War, is located to the west of King of Prussia.[37]
King of Prussia is home to the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company 9/11 Memorial honoring the lives lost in the September 11 attacks. The memorial, which was dedicated by the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company on the 10th anniversary of the attacks in 2011, consists of two steel beams recovered from Ground Zero at the World Trade Center in New York City. The 9/11 Memorial is located adjacent to the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company station on Allendale Road across from the King of Prussia mall.[38][39]
Infrastructure
Transportation
King of Prussia has retained its role as an important crossroads throughout United States history. In addition to the Inn, from the earliest days, the intersection supported two general stores. Today, four major
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation District 6, which serves Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, is headquartered in King of Prussia.[42]
King of Prussia is served by
The Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association operates The Rambler as a community shuttle around the King of Prussia area Monday through Saturday, serving residential areas, shopping centers, the King of Prussia mall, medical facilities, the Upper Merion Senior Center, and the Upper Merion Township Municipal Building.
King of Prussia is 18 miles (29 km) from 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, which has intercity rail service provided by Amtrak, and 26 miles (42 km) from Philadelphia International Airport, which has flights to domestic and international destinations.[47]
There are several
Utilities
Electricity and natural gas in King of Prussia is provided by
Health care
Notable people
- The Bloodhound Gang – A comedic rock band originating in the early '90s from King of Prussia.[69]
- Jobriath Boone – Folk and glam rock musician and actor, and the first openly gay rock musician signed to a major record label.[70]
- Charlie Brenneman – Mixed martial arts competitor.
- Brianna Butler – Basketball player in the Women's National Basketball League.
- William Colepaugh – American seaman who became a German spy during World War II.
- Archdiocese of Philadelphia.[71]
- Governor of Montana.[72]
- Kathy Jordan – Professional tennis player.
- Ann Li – Tennis player.[73]
- Bill Nuttall – Former soccer player and owner of Golden Viking Sports.
- Bob Odell – Former football halfback and coach.
- Rafael Robb – Economist and former college professor who confessed to murdering his wife.
- U.S. Senatorfrom Pennsylvania in the 19th century.
- Lisa Salters – ESPN sports reporter.
- Fred Sherman – Economist, businessman, and business commentator.
- Artie Singer – Songwriter, music producer, and bandleader.
- Jay C. Smith – Former principal at Upper Merion Area High School who was convicted of murder.
- Blair Thomas – Former National Football League running back.
References
- ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ^ a b "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ^ "King of Prussia". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ a b c d e f g Huber, Robert (March 2017). "The Promised Land?". Philadelphia Magazine. pp. 76–79, 128–134.
- ^ J. Michael Morrison, King of Prussia, Images of America series (Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2005); Accessed 26 Oct 2016.
- ^ "The King of Prussia Inn --Locate 1". www.nps.gov. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
- ^ See also Morrison, King of Prussia, 2005 (above).
- ^ Franklin, Benjamin. reprinted on The History Carper.
- ^ Greater Valley Forge Chamber of Commerce. "King of Prussia's name". Accessed June 23, 2006.
- ^ Infield, Tom (June 17, 2008). "King of Prussia still evolving". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
- ^ "In the King of Prussia". Retrieved October 12, 2019 – via www.imdb.com.
- ^ Parmley, Suzette (August 20, 2016). "It's official: King of Prussia becomes one vast mall with 50 new retailers and restaurants". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
- ^ John L. Kay and Chester M. Smith, Jr., Pennsylvania Postal History: the Post Offices and First Postmasters from 1775 to 1994 (Lincoln, MA: Quarterman Publications, 1995), p. 305. The first P.O. in what is now King of Prussia was established in Reesville in 1820, changing to Upper Merion in 1829, and becoming King of Prussia on 5 April 1837. Initially it received service from Bridgeport and became a branch of Norristown in 1935 (pp. 309, 311).
- ^ "King of Prussia, Pennsylvania (PA 19406) profile: population, maps, real estate, averages, homes, statistics, relocation, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, moving, houses, news, sex offenders". www.city-data.com. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
- ^ "Census 2020".
- ^ "King of Prussia CDP QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau". Archived from the original on March 10, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Climate Summary for King of Prussia, Pennsylvania". Weatherbase. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ^ "Climate Statistics for King of Prussia, Pennsylvania". Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ "Station: Norristown, PA". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ "Zip 19406 (King of Prussia, PA) Economy". www.bestplaces.net. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
- ^ a b "King of Prussia Mall Fact Sheet" (PDF). Simon Property Group. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- ^ "Region I Jurisdiction". Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
- ^ "CAFR Cover 2016". Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania. Retrieved January 15, 2018. This links to the 2016 CAFR.
- ^ "About Us". King of Prussia District. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
- ^ George, John (January 26, 2010). "Philadelphia Freedoms of World Team Tennis moving home court to Villanova". Philadelphia Business Journal. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ^ "UM and Bridgeport Public Schools Timeline". www.kophistory.org. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ "Home | Mother Teresa Regional Catholic School I King of Prussia, Pa". Mother Teresa Region. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
- ^ "2012 Catholic grade school consolidations/closings". Catholicphilly.com. July 15, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
- ^ "King of Prussia Mall". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ^ Google (March 3, 2017). "overview of King of Prussia Mall" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
- ^ "Overlook at King of Prussia". DDR Corp. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
- ^ "About". King of Prussia Town Center. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
- ^ "Home". The Village at Valley Forge. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
- ^ "Valley Forge Casino Resort". Valley Forge & Montgomery County, PA. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
- ^ "Valley Forge National Historical Park". National Park Service. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
- ^ "9/11 Memorial". King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
- ^ "King of Prussia 9/11 Memorial". VisitPA.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
- ISBN 0-87530-775-2.
- ^ a b Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Highway Map (PDF) (Map). PennDOT. 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
- ^ "District 6". Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
- ^ SEPTA Official Transit & Street Map Suburban (PDF) (Map). SEPTA. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ "Transportation". Upper Merion Township. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ "Upper Merion Rambler brochure" (PDF). Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ "Auto Access". King of Prussia District. Archived from the original on February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
- ^ a b "By Car". King of Prussia District. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ "Book an Intercity (Prime) Ticket". OurBus. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
- ^ Rettew Jr., Bill (December 16, 2017). "Company plans bus service from West Chester to New York City". Daily Local News. West Chester, PA. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
- ^ "FAB 750 – Dubois - State College - Harrisburg - Philadelphia". Fullington Tours. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- ^ "FAB 751 -- Philadelphia - Harrisburg - State College - Dubois". Fullington Tours. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- ^ "King of Prussia Park & Ride in Norristown, Pennsylvania". Greyhound Lines. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ a b "Norfolk Southern Harrisburg Region Timetable 1, August 4, 2008" (PDF). Retrieved October 12, 2019.
- ^ Gamble, Oscar (November 13, 2015). "Train derailment at Norfolk Southern Abrams Yard in Upper Merion under investigation". Daily Local News. West Chester, PA. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ a b "Bike Trails". King of Prussia District. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
- ^ "Home". Schuylkill River Trail. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
- ^ "Chester Valley Trail". Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
- ^ "PECO: Company Information". PECO Energy Company. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
- ^ "Electric Service Tariff" (PDF). PECO Energy Company. July 17, 2017. p. 4. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
- ^ "Gas Service Tariff" (PDF). PECO Energy Company. August 30, 2017. p. 2. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
- ^ "Rates and Rules Governing the Distribution of Water" (PDF). Aqua Pennsylvania. March 11, 2013. p. 3. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
- ^ "Rates, Rules and Regulations Governing the Distribution and Sale of Water Service" (PDF). Pennsylvania American Water. August 8, 2018. p. 11. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
- ^ "Wastewater Management". Upper Merion Township. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
- ^ "Public Works". Upper Merion Township. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
- ^ "Einstein Healthcare Network King of Prussia". Einstein Healthcare Network. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
- ^ "The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Opens New Specialty Care and Ambulatory Surgery Center in King of Prussia". Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. May 18, 2015.
- ^ PULEO, GARY. "Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to build new facility in King of Prussia". Main Line Media News. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
- ^ Davis, Corey (January 26, 2022). "CHOP's 2nd hospital, located in King of Prussia, is now open". Philadelphia, PA: WPVI-TV. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
- ^ Jeffries, David. "Bloodhound Gang – Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ Jobriath
- ^ Hoare, Patrick T. (Winter 2005). "PROFILE: REV. MSGR. MICHAEL J. FITZGERALD, VICE RECTOR, ST. CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY" (PDF). The Brook. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 26, 2010.
- ^ "KofP prodigy in $1.5B Oracle cloud software deal". The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 26, 2011. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- ^ Player profile: Ann Li. International Tennis Federation. Accessed on August 28, 2017.