Suburban streets and a quaint downtown along the Schuylkill
Pottstown lies on the northern banks of the Schuylkill River in southeast Pennsylvania, an up-and-coming borough rooted in history. Founded in the mid-18th century, the city initially steamed ahead via the metal industry and iron production, and eventually more factories and industrial businesses sprang up in the area. Today, a different kind of melting pot defines the area, as its range of cultures is showcased by a wide array of restaurant options on High Street. “Pottstown is an interesting area in the sense that it’s fairly sprawling,” says Christy Bennett, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty. “You can have a Pottstown address but be in different townships. They’re doing a lot to revitalize Pottstown as the city center, so there’s a lot of little shops and businesses coming in along High Street, which is really nice.”
Pottstown’s population of just over 23,000 residents value the area’s proximity to some of southeast Pennsylvania’s larger cities without the accompanying hubbub. Several major roads run through or near the city, linking it with Philadelphia and beyond. “I think the biggest draw would probably be the ease of commuting and the proximity to 422 to get wherever you need to commute to,” Bennett says. “It’s just an easy location to travel from. No matter where you live in it, all your amenities are all within 10 minutes. I live north of there now, and I miss having everything all within 10 minutes.”
The downtown area lies just off the Schuylkill, and beyond that to the north Pottstown settles into a calm landscape of residential streets, roads occasionally dotted with small parks. “Having everything at your fingertips is cool, with also being a little bit out of the fray unless you live fully downtown in Pottstown,” Bennett says. “It’s an easy, nice place to live, but it’s also a great place to invest. It’s a nice, mixed demographic because of that too. Generationally, it’s a draw for a lot of people in different phases of life because it’s affordable and convenient.”
Downtown Pottstown residents have easy access to many retail and dining options.
Pottstown lies on the northern banks of the Schuylkill River in southeast Pennsylvania.
Pottstown Riverfront Park is a place for families to soak in the nature near downtown.
Quiet residential streets create a peaceful living in the neighborhoods of Pottstown.
1/4
Single-family homes and townhouses alike in Pottstown
Pottstown is a competitive market in terms of housing, with properties selling after 24 days on the market on average. The median home price is around $310,000, and single-family homes as a whole often range between $250,000 and $400,000. “There’s newer subdivisions in that area for someone looking for a single-family home,” Bennett says. More expensive homes can be found outside the borough proper, and can range from $500,000 all the way up to over $1 million. There are also a number of townhouses in the area, often falling between $200,000 and $300,000.
“In Pottstown, there’s a higher rental percentage,” Bennett says, “so it’s a nice location for investors looking for investment properties or long-term rental properties. There’s also first-time home buyers and folks looking for something at a more affordable price point. There’s definitely a draw to Pottstown for that.” Ranch-style homes, Cape Cods and colonials, as well as some split-levels, are among the most popular styles found in the area.
On an annual basis, Pottstown receives above-average rainfall and below-average snowfall as compared to the national means. Winters can dip close to 20 degrees, while summers near 90 degrees.
Classic row homes are common in Downtown Pottstown.
The northern section of Manatawny-Farmington includes Cape Cod style homes.
Modern Colonial homes dating from the early 2000s offer space for large families in Pottstown.
Twins and single-family homes are mixed in Downtown Pottstown.
1/4
Two major routes in and near Pottstown
Route 100, known in the area as Pottstown Pike, runs north-to-south through the west side of the city and links Pottstown with Allentown about 30 miles north. Philadelphia is about 40 miles southeast and can be accessed by Route 422. “422 is super convenient from Pottstown,” Bennett says. “I would say that’s probably the major commuter route to get from the Reading area, west of Pottstown, into Philadelphia.” That commuter access is a major element of the area’s convenience. “There are people that commute as far as Philadelphia or Wilmington,” Bennett says, “so it’s super centralized in terms of a commuter location. That’s a draw.” The area’s airport isn’t for commercial use, and public transportation via bus is sparse.
Several large recreational areas for residents
Pottstown sits alongside the Schuylkill River, allowing access to the Schuylkill River Trail. The currently-30-mile trail provides walking, hiking or biking through the many habitats of the state. “You can also paddleboard or kayak on the river,” Bennett says, “but popular launching places are more in the Phoenixville area.” Memorial Park is the largest and most popular park in the area, drawing crowds in warmer months, while golfers hit the links at Brookside Country Club. Pottstown Play Streets is a summer program to get neighborhood kids more active. Every Thursday from June to August, traffic is blocked off, and families play for the rest of the afternoon.
Residents of Pottstown can play a game of pickup at the basketball courts at Memorial Park.
Pottstown Riverfront Park is next to the Schuylkill River where locals can fish by downtown.
Pottstown residents can head to the Schuylkill River Trail to enjoy a scenic run.
Skaters can practice their tricks at the skate park at Memorial Park in Pottstown.
1/4
Residential areas close to several shopping centers
Many of the area’s shops and restaurants are concentrated around High Street, where an array of smaller cafés and fine dining offer their menus to residents alongside convenience stores and cultural grocery shops. “It’s definitely more locally-owned places downtown,” Bennett says, “so it’s pretty cool in that sense. In the last two years, they’ve worked to get more businesses in there.” Pottstown FARM – the Farm & Artisan Regional Market – is open from May to October. “There’s a lot to do nearby,” Bennett says. “Pottstown itself is pretty walkable if somebody was looking for a town that they could walk in the downtown.”
Upland Square is a prime stop for locals, featuring a grocery store, Target and even a movie theater. “That shopping center has everything you could possibly need,” Bennett says. Residents aren’t too far away from finding other stops outside of Pottstown, either. “It’s close to a ton of things,” Bennett says. “You can get to the Philadelphia premium outlets in less than 10 minutes. For shopping, there’s a ton of groceries nearby, including a Wegmans, which is a big thing around here.”
Very close to East End South of Pottstown is the Philadelphia Premium Outlets where many shop.
Island Pride offers authentic Caribbean cuisine in downtown Pottstown.
Target and other big box stores provide everyday essentials for the residents of Pottstown.
North End loves the adventurous food at Stave & Stable.
1/4
Events rooted in history
A number of historical landmarks that pay tribute to Pottstown’s early iron days lie within and around the city. Pottsgrove Manor is over 250 years old and offers guided tours, workshops and events that keep the echoes of history alive within its halls. “The Steel River Playhouse is really cool,” Bennett says. “They put on local theater productions.” The repertory theater is located on High Street in the center of Pottstown and puts on productions of renowned plays. The annual Pottstown Pet Fair takes place in Memorial Park and spotlights local rescue organizations and other pet-centric businesses.
The SlyFox Bokfest & Goat Race is a hugely popular annual event held in Pottstown.
The Steel River Playhouse is an exciting theater in Downtown Pottstown with great performances.
Pro volleyball action was intense on the Pottstown Rumble's main court.
Reenactors in Pottstown West End role play at the Frost Fair at Pottsgrove Manor.
1/4
A local community college campus
The Pottstown area is primarily served by the Pottstown School District, which scores a C with Niche and encompasses four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. It serves over 3,200 students and has a graduation rate of 77%. Montgomery County Community College has a campus in Pottstown, located near the Schuylkill River.
Pottstown Senior High School earns a B- rating on Niche.com offering quality education.
Beech Wilson students graduate elementary school to go on to Pottstown Middle School.
Montgomery County Community College has a campus in Pottstown located near the Schuylkill River.
Children make positive memories in Rupert Elementary School with a loving staff.
1/4
Property crimes outnumber violent offenses
As reported by the FBI crime database, Pottstown records an average of 33.5 violent offenses per month, as compared to the statewide average of 9,301.1. A monthly mean of 74.2 property crimes are recorded, while the state’s monthly average is 16,189.3. On a national scale, the average number of violent crimes per month is 361,437.4, while property crimes average 509,957.9 per month.
Deneen Thomas is a full time Realtor since 2005. She Loves helping first time homebuyer's and investors locate the perfect property for the perfect price. She is experienced with listing homes, vacant lots and commercial properties as well as negotiating Short Sales, Online Auction bidding and REO/bank owned properties. She Loves what she does and customer satisfaction is always the #1 Priority.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
