West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

History

West Conshohocken Borough was incorporated October 6, 1874 from land taken almost equally from the Townships of Lower and Upper Merion. As a river borough, there existed a large number of mills and other industries utilizing water power. The Dougherty Quarry was a prosperous business, producing stone of superior quality known as Conshohocken or Merion Blue. It was much sought after for public buildings, and was shipped by rail throughout the East before supplies were exhausted in the mid-twentieth century.

Today, with its proximity to highways I-76 and I-476 (Blue Route), this small borough and its sister Conshohocken Borough have experienced moderate office and retail development. West Conshohocken is easily identified by the mid and high-rise commercial development along its waterfront, which in recent years has also spread across the river to Conshohocken's waterfront.

Geography

West Conshohocken is located at 40°4′10″N 75°18′57″W (40.069509, -75.315755).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), of which, 1.0 square mile (2.6 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) of it (4.49%) is water.

The borough contains most of the I-76/I-476/PA-23 interchange, which also takes up a large portion of the borough's land. This is a regionally important interchange, carrying large volumes of traffic to and from the northern and western Philadelphia suburbs.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, West Conshohocken has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, the borough was 90.1% White, 3.6% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 3.3% Asian, and 1.7% were two or more races. 3.6% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,446 people, 600 households, and 342 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,701.4 people per square mile (656.8/km²). There were 633 housing units at an average density of 744.8 per square mile (287.5/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.91% White, 2.84% African American, 0.07% Native American, 1.80% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population.

There were 600 households, out of which 17.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.0% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 17.6% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 35.2% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.0 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $56,111, and the median income for a family was $62,708. Males had a median income of $40,833 versus $31,696 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $30,627. About 3.5% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.

Politics and government

West Conshohocken has a city manager form of government with a mayor and a seven-member borough council.

The borough is part of the Thirteenth Congressional District (represented by Rep. Brendan Boyle), the 149th State House District (represented by Rep. Tim Briggs) and the 17th State Senate District (represented by Sen. Daylin Leach).

Public water and sewer facilities and service are provided by the borough as is residential trash pickup. A full-time police force serves the community, but fire protection is provided by volunteer companies. SEPTA bus lines provide access to the Norristown Transportation Center, and bus and rail lines connect the borough to other portions of Montgomery County and Philadelphia.

Education

West Conshohocken pupils are assigned to schools in the Upper Merion Area School District. Residents have access to the Conshohocken Free Library.

Healthcare

The area is served by two hospitals, Einstein Medical Center Montgomery and Suburban Community Hospital.

Companies and organizations