North Wales, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Borough of North Wales
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The former Weingartner Cigar Factory on Walnut Street
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Location of North Wales in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
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 Borough of North Wales
Location in Pennsylvania
Borough of North Wales
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Montgomery |
| Incorporated | 1869 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-manager |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.59 sq mi (1.52 km2) |
| • Land | 0.59 sq mi (1.52 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 400 ft (100 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,426 |
| • Density | 5,836.46/sq mi (2,252.80/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
19436, 19454, 19455, 19477
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| Area codes | 215, 267, and 445 |
| FIPS code | 42-55512 |
North Wales is a small town, called a borough, located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It's a suburb of Philadelphia, about 27 miles (43 km) north of the city center. North Wales is one of the three main historic towns in the North Penn Valley, with Lansdale being another important center. In 2020, about 3,426 people lived here.
Even though North Wales is a small borough, many homes and businesses outside its official borders still use a North Wales address. This includes places like the Montgomery Mall. Students in North Wales attend schools in the North Penn School District.
Contents
History of North Wales
Early Beginnings (1700s)
North Wales got its name from North Wales in Wales, because many early settlers came from there. The land was given out by William Penn in 1702 and was originally a rich farming area called Gwynedd. It started as a quiet village focused on farming.
Growing with the Railroad (1800s)
Before 1850, the area had farms and a church built in 1776. Main Street, which is still important today, was once an old Native American trail. It became a major road to Philadelphia in 1728 and a toll road until 1914.
A big change happened when the North Pennsylvania Railroad was built, starting in 1852. Train service through North Wales began in 1857, connecting Bethlehem to Philadelphia. The town quickly grew around the new train station, with hotels and restaurants popping up nearby.
North Wales became an official borough in 1869, making it the oldest of the North Penn boroughs. Wealthy city dwellers sometimes visited in the summer. A famous visitor was Pedro II of Brazil, the last emperor of Brazil, who stayed at a home called "Idlewilde" in 1875. Many of the houses built in the late 1800s and early 1900s are still standing and well-kept today.
Trolleys and Modern Times (1900s-2000s)
From 1900 to 1926, a trolley line connected North Wales to nearby towns and even to Philadelphia or Allentown. The trolley ran along Main Street. After 1926, faster trolleys continued to serve the Wales Junction station until 1951.
In 2000, the North Wales Historic Preservation District was created. This helps protect the old buildings and architecture that show the borough's history. It was the first historic district in the North Penn area.
Local Businesses
North Wales' Main and Walnut Streets are home to many businesses. You can find hair salons, doctors' offices, a dry cleaner, and even a special shoe store for runners. There are also places to eat, like pizza parlors, a Tex-Mex restaurant, cafes, a bakery, and a vegan restaurant.
Schools and Learning
North Wales Elementary School is part of the North Penn School District. This building used to be North Wales High School from 1927 until the new North Penn High School was built. The original elementary school was located where the Borough Hall is now.
Mater Dei Catholic School in Lansdale serves Catholic students from the area.
North Wales Area Library
The North Wales Memorial Free Library used to be inside North Wales Elementary School. But in 2009, it moved to a much larger building at 233 South Swartley Street. The library is now called the "North Wales Area Library" and is part of the Montgomery County Library System. It offers many books and resources for everyone.
Parks and Fun Activities
North Wales has several parks where you can relax and play:
- Weingartner Park: Located at Second and Summit Streets, it has paths, benches, and shady trees.
- Wee Wailers Park: A playground for children on Shearer Street.
- Second Street Park: At Second Street and Prospect Avenue, this park has public tennis courts.
- Fourth Street Park: A large open space used for sports. It features unique clay totem poles made by local residents.
- Eighth Street Park: Also known as "A Child's Garden," this park was created by local children. It has a brick path, plants, and benches.
- Ninth Street Park: At Ninth and Church Streets, this park helps manage water runoff and attracts birds. It has a trail and a footbridge.
Population Facts
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 407 | — | |
| 1880 | 673 | 65.4% | |
| 1890 | 1,060 | 57.5% | |
| 1900 | 1,287 | 21.4% | |
| 1910 | 1,710 | 32.9% | |
| 1920 | 2,041 | 19.4% | |
| 1930 | 2,393 | 17.2% | |
| 1940 | 2,450 | 2.4% | |
| 1950 | 2,998 | 22.4% | |
| 1960 | 3,673 | 22.5% | |
| 1970 | 3,911 | 6.5% | |
| 1980 | 3,391 | −13.3% | |
| 1990 | 3,802 | 12.1% | |
| 2000 | 3,342 | −12.1% | |
| 2010 | 3,229 | −3.4% | |
| 2020 | 3,426 | 6.1% | |
As of 2020, the population of North Wales was 3,426 people. The borough is quite small, covering only about 0.59 square miles (1.52 km²).
In 2017, about 87% of the people living in North Wales were White, 5% were Black or African American, and 5% were Asian. About 1.66% of the population had Hispanic or Latino family backgrounds.
The average household in North Wales had about 2.56 people, and the average family had about 3.18 people. Many households (34.6%) had children under 18 living with them. The median age in the borough was 36 years old.
Police Department
The North Wales Police Department helps keep the community safe. It has four full-time and four part-time officers. The current Chief of Police is David Erenius, who was hired in 2022.
Getting Around
North Wales has about 12.36 miles (19.89 km) of public roads. Main Street and Walnut Street are two important roads that run through the borough. Larger highways like U.S. Route 202 and Pennsylvania Route 63 are nearby, connecting North Wales to other areas. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension (Interstate 476) is also close by.
For public transportation, many residents use SEPTA trains to travel to Center City Philadelphia. The Lansdale/Doylestown Line stops right at the North Wales station. This historic brick station was built in the 1870s and was fully restored in 2010. SEPTA also offers bus service (Route 96) that connects North Wales to Norristown and Lansdale.
Utilities and Services
Electricity and natural gas in North Wales are provided by PECO Energy Company. The North Wales Water Authority provides clean water and sewer services to the borough and nearby areas. For internet, cable, and phone services, residents can choose from companies like Xfinity and Verizon. Trash and recycling are handled by private companies.
Famous People from North Wales
- Captain Janks: A well-known prank caller on television.
- Sharon Little: A singer-songwriter.
- Joe McKeehen: A professional poker player who won the World Series of Poker in 2015.
- John Oates: A famous rock musician, part of the duo Hall & Oates.
- William B. T. Trego: A historical painter.
See also
In Spanish: North Wales para niños
