Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania
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Township
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,_Andalusia_(Bucks_County,_Pennsylvania).jpg)
Andalusia, a NRHP site in Bensalem
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Location of Bensalem Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
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 Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Pennsylvania | ||
| County | Bucks | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Mayor-council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 21.0 sq mi (54 km2) | ||
| • Land | 20.0 sq mi (52 km2) | ||
| • Water | 1.0 sq mi (3 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 102 ft (31 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 62,707 | ||
| • Estimate
(2022)
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62,619 | ||
| • Density | 2,986/sq mi (1,152.9/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP Codes |
19020, 19053
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| Area codes | 215, 267, and 445 | ||
| FIPS code | 42-017-05616 | ||
| Website | https://www.bensalempa.gov/ | ||
Bensalem Township is a large community in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. It's right next to the northeastern part of Philadelphia. Bensalem includes several smaller communities like Andalusia, Cornwells Heights, and Trevose. It's part of the bigger Philadelphia area, known as the Delaware Valley.
In 2020, about 62,707 people lived in Bensalem. This makes it the most populated place in Bucks County and one of the largest communities in all of Pennsylvania! The township was started way back in 1692, which means it's almost as old as Pennsylvania itself.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Bensalem probably came from an early settler named Joseph Growden. He named his large property Manor of Bensalem. He did this to honor William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania. The name also connects to the word "Salem," which means peace.
The area was first called Salem. The "Ben" part was added in 1701. Another idea is that the name comes from a book called New Atlantis by Francis Bacon, which describes a perfect island also named Bensalem.
A Look Back at History
The area of Bensalem Township first appeared on a map in 1682, but it didn't have a name yet. In 1685, the border between Bensalem and Philadelphia County was set along a stream called Poquessing Creek.
In 1692, a group of thirteen men officially decided the boundaries of the new areas. They said that all the land between the Neshaminy and Poquessing creeks would be called "Salem."
The name officially changed to Bensalem in 1701. At first, a few Dutch and Swedes lived here. Later, more English settlers arrived, followed by even more Dutch families.
Where is Bensalem Located?
Bensalem is the southernmost township in Bucks County. It shares borders with Northeast Philadelphia to the west and south. To the east, you'll find Croydon and Bristol Township. To the north are Hulmeville and Middletown Township. To the northwest, it borders Feasterville and Trevose in Lower Southampton Township.
Across the Delaware River to the southeast, in New Jersey, are towns like Beverly and Delanco.
The township covers about 21 square miles (54 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with about 1 square mile (2.6 square kilometers) being water.
An interesting natural feature called the Fall Line runs through Bensalem. This line separates two different land regions. You can even see it near the Neshaminy Mall. The Neshaminy Creek forms the eastern border, and the Poquessing Creek forms the western border of the township.
Other natural spots include Mill Creek, Neshaminy Falls, and White Sheet Bay.
Who Lives in Bensalem?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 2,499 | — | |
| 1900 | 3,046 | 21.9% | |
| 1910 | 3,105 | 1.9% | |
| 1920 | 2,912 | −6.2% | |
| 1930 | 5,645 | 93.9% | |
| 1940 | 7,276 | 28.9% | |
| 1950 | 11,365 | 56.2% | |
| 1960 | 23,478 | 106.6% | |
| 1970 | 33,042 | 40.7% | |
| 1980 | 52,368 | 58.5% | |
| 1990 | 56,788 | 8.4% | |
| 2000 | 58,434 | 2.9% | |
| 2010 | 60,427 | 3.4% | |
| 2020 | 62,707 | 3.8% | |
| Source: | |||
In 2010, most people in Bensalem were White (72.1%). There were also Black or African American people (7.3%), Asian people (10.2%), and people of two or more races (2.6%). About 8.4% of the population had Hispanic or Latino family backgrounds.
In 2000, there were 58,434 people living in Bensalem. The average household had about 2.56 people. Many families had children under 18 living with them (30.6%).
The average age of people in Bensalem was 36 years old. About 23.1% of the population was under 18.
Jewish Community
Bensalem has a notable Jewish community. There are several places of worship, including:
- The Bensalem Jewish Outreach Center, which includes the Kehillas B'nai Shalom synagogue.
- Congregation Tifereth Israel, a Conservative synagogue.
Fun Places to Visit
Bensalem is home to Parx Casino and Racing. This place has a horse racing track and a casino. It first opened in 1974 as Keystone Racetrack. The name changed to Philadelphia Park in 1984. A famous racehorse named Smarty Jones, who almost won the Triple Crown in 2004, started his career here!
In 2006, a casino with slot machines opened, and the place was renamed Philadelphia Park Racetrack and Casino. A new, bigger casino building opened in 2009 and was named Parx Casino. It's a huge space with games, restaurants, and entertainment. The Xcite Center at Parx hosts concerts, comedy shows, and even boxing matches.
The Penn Community Bank Amphitheater in Bensalem is another popular spot for concerts.
You can also find the Mongkoltepmunee Buddhist Temple, or Wat Mongkoltepmunee, on Knights Road. This temple is a copy of one in Bangkok, Thailand, and it's the only one like it in the United States! It's a place for Buddhist monks to hold ceremonies and meditate.
Bensalem has been a filming location for movies and TV shows:
- The 2002 movie Signs, starring Mel Gibson, built a set inside a warehouse on State Road for many indoor scenes.
- The TV show Outlaw, starring Jimmy Smits, filmed scenes in Andalusia in 2010.
- The movie Safe, starring Jason Statham, filmed a scene at Parx Casino and Racing.
The Neshaminy Mall is also in Bensalem. It was one of the first malls built in the country, opening in 1968. It has two main department stores (Boscov's and AMC Theatres) and many smaller shops and places to eat. The AMC Neshaminy 24 Theater is one of the biggest and busiest movie theaters in Pennsylvania!
Did you know that Benjamin Franklin used to visit Bensalem often? He would come to see his friend, Joseph Galloway, at Growden Mansion. There's a local story that Franklin flew his famous kite experiment right here in Bensalem, at the mansion, to show that lightning was a form of electricity. (Though most people think he did it closer to his home in Philadelphia.)
Bensalem is home to the Philadelphia Gun Club. It's also where you'll find the US headquarters for Ibanez guitars and Tama Drums.
You can enjoy nature at Neshaminy State Park. In the middle of Bensalem, there's also the Bensalem Township Community Park. This park has a skatepark, playground, basketball courts, a roller-hockey rink, and fields for baseball, football, soccer, and softball.
Two historic places, Andalusia and Belmont, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Andalusia is even a National Historic Landmark.
Getting Around Bensalem
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Bensalem Township has many roads, including major highways like Interstate 95, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 276), U.S. Route 1, and U.S. Route 13. The Pennsylvania Turnpike has an exit in Bensalem (exit 351, at U.S. Route 1).
You can also travel by train! Two SEPTA Regional Rail lines serve Bensalem, connecting to Center City Philadelphia. The West Trenton Line stops at Trevose and Neshaminy Falls stations. The Trenton Line stops at Cornwells Heights and Eddington stations. The Cornwells Heights station is also a stop for Amtrak trains and has a large parking area.
Many SEPTA bus routes run through Bensalem, helping people get around the township and connect to Philadelphia and other nearby towns. There's even a special express bus, the Boulevard Direct, that goes from the Neshaminy Mall to the Frankford Transportation Center in Philadelphia.
The Delaware River runs along the southeastern edge of Bensalem, which is important for shipping. For air travel, the Northeast Philadelphia Airport is nearby for smaller planes, and the Philadelphia International Airport is about 25 miles (40 km) away for bigger flights.
Utilities
In Bensalem Township, electricity and natural gas are provided by PECO Energy Company. Water comes from Aqua Pennsylvania, and sewer services are handled by the Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority. Trash and recycling are picked up by private companies. For internet, cable, and phone services, you can use Xfinity or Verizon. The area codes for Bensalem are 215, 267, and 445.
Schools in Bensalem
Public schools in Bensalem are run by the Bensalem Township School District. The district has six elementary schools, two middle schools, and Bensalem High School. A group of nine people on the school board makes decisions for the schools.
There are also private schools:
- Holy Ghost Preparatory School is a private Catholic high school.
- Roman Catholic Saint Ephrem School serves students from Pre-K to 8th grade.
- St. Charles Borromeo School, founded in 1920, is a Catholic elementary school for Pre-K to 8th grade.
Local Businesses
Many companies have their headquarters in Bensalem Township:
- Rita's Franchise Company, LLC, known for its delicious Italian ice, has its main office in Trevose, a part of Bensalem. Their very first store was also in Bensalem!
- Philly Pretzel Factory, a popular pretzel company.
- Healthcare Services Group, a large company that helps healthcare facilities.
- The US Headquarters for Ibanez Guitars and Tama Drums is located here.
- Suez Water Technologies & Solutions, a water treatment company, is based in Trevose.
Weather in Bensalem
Bensalem Township has a climate where all months are mild, but summers can be hot and humid. The highest temperature ever recorded was 105°F (41°C) in July. In winter, the average coldest temperature is around 1.9°F (-16.7°C), but it can get much colder. Snowfall usually ranges from 24 to 30 inches (61 to 76 cm) each year, mostly from November to April. Sometimes, big snowstorms can bring more than 12 inches (30 cm) of snow.
Nature and Plants
The natural plants in Bensalem Township are mostly Appalachian Oak forests with different kinds of Hardwood trees. The area is good for growing many plants, with the spring flowers usually starting to bloom by early April. The leaves on the trees typically change to beautiful fall colors by early November.
Famous People from Bensalem
- Arthur Donaldson Smith (1866-1939), an explorer who traveled in East Africa.
- Nancy Spungen, who was known for her connection to punk rock musician Sid Vicious, is buried at King David Memorial Park, a Jewish cemetery in the township.
