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Harleysville, Pennsylvania facts for kids

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Harleysville

The Village of Harleysville
Harleysville Beneficial Association Building on Main Street in downtown Harleysville
Harleysville Beneficial Association Building on Main Street in downtown Harleysville
Harleysville is located in Pennsylvania
Harleysville
Harleysville
Location in Pennsylvania
Harleysville is located in the United States
Harleysville
Harleysville
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Montgomery
Townships Lower Salford Township, Franconia Township
Settled c. 1700
Area
 • Total 4.18 sq mi (10.83 km2)
 • Land 4.18 sq mi (10.82 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
266 ft (81 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 9,899
 • Density 2,369.88/sq mi (914.94/km2)
Demonym(s) Harleysvillian
Time zone UTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
19438
Area codes 215, 267, and 445
FIPS code 42-32616
Website lowersalfordtownship.org

Harleysville is a community in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It's like a special area that the government keeps track of for population numbers. Harleysville is located not too far from the big city of Philadelphia. In 2020, about 9,899 people lived here. This town is mostly in Lower Salford Township, but a small part is also in Franconia Township. Harleysville was first settled by people called Pennsylvania Dutch way back in the 1700s and was named after Samuel Harley.

History of Harleysville

Harleysville has a long history, starting around the year 1700. It was one of the early places settled in Pennsylvania.

The Klein Meetinghouse, an important historical building, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it's a special place recognized for its history.

Geography and Location

Harleysville covers an area of about 4.2 square miles (10.8 square kilometers). All of this area is land.

How to Get Around Harleysville

Two main roads, Pennsylvania Route 63 (Main Street) and Pennsylvania Route 113 (Harleysville Pike), meet in Harleysville. These roads help people get to other places easily. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is also close by, making it simple to drive to Center City Philadelphia, which is less than 30 miles away.

Waterways and Climate

Harleysville is in an area where water flows into the Perkiomen Creek. This creek then flows into the Schuylkill River. Smaller creeks like Indian Creek and Skippack Creek also flow through the area.

The weather in Harleysville is generally warm in summer and cold in winter. Average temperatures range from about 30.5 degrees Fahrenheit (around -0.8 degrees Celsius) in January to 75.2 degrees Fahrenheit (around 24 degrees Celsius) in July.

Population and People

Harleysville has grown over the years. Here's how the population has changed:

  • 1990: 7,405 people
  • 2000: 8,795 people
  • 2010: 9,280 people
  • 2020: 9,899 people

In 2010, most people living in Harleysville were White (90.4%). There were also people of Black or African American (2.6%), Asian (3.5%), and other backgrounds. About 2.4% of the population had Hispanic or Latino family roots.

Arts and Culture in Harleysville

Harleysville has a lively arts and culture scene.

Public Art and Festivals

  • Mural: A large outdoor mural by artist Dana McMullin can be seen on the side of Rann Pharmacy. It shows the history of Harleysville from its early days to modern times.
  • Heckler Fest: An annual festival called Heckler Fest takes place at the historic Heckler Plains. This is one of the oldest properties in the area.
  • Jaycee's Country Fair Days: Harleysville also hosts the annual Jaycee's Country Fair Days at the Harleysville Community Center. Many people from nearby towns come to enjoy this event.
  • Apple Butter Frolic: In early fall, the town celebrates its Mennonite heritage with an annual Apple Butter Frolic.
  • Mennonite Heritage Center: This center helps preserve and share the history and culture of the Mennonite people in the area.

Education in Harleysville

Students in Harleysville attend schools within the Souderton Area School District.

Local Schools

Here are some of the public schools in Harleysville and the surrounding communities:

  • Souderton Area High School
  • Indian Valley Middle School
  • Indian Crest Middle School
  • Oak Ridge Elementary School
  • Salford Hills Elementary School
  • Vernfield Elementary School
  • EMC Elementary School
  • West Broad Street Elementary School
  • Franconia Elementary School

News and Media

People in Harleysville can stay informed through several local and regional news sources.

Local News

  • The weekly Souderton Independent covers news specifically for the Harleysville area.
  • The Reporter, a daily newspaper, also provides community information.

Regional News

Community Services and Infrastructure

Harleysville has important services to keep the community safe and running smoothly.

Emergency Services

Fire engine in Harleysville, Pennsylvania
The Harleysville Fire Company was founded in 1921 and helps keep the community safe.
  • The Harleysville Fire Company was started in 1921 and provides fire protection for the town.
  • The Lower Salford Police Department (LSPD) serves Harleysville, with its main office located on Main Street.

Library Services

The closest library for Harleysville residents is the Indian Valley Public Library, which is located in nearby Telford.

Images for kids

See also

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