Upper Tulpehocken, a rural township with farming settlement origins
Upper Tulpehocken is a rural community in Berks County with quick access to the interstate and the picturesque Blue Mountain Range in the background. The township was first settled in 1729, and the village of Strausstown was founded in 1840. Though the streets are now paved, and the old church was rebuilt after a lightning strike, Strausstown still feels like a small-town settlement with the village consisting of a main street with just one stoplight. "It's a quiet, peaceful place even though we are a block away from the major thoroughfare of Interstate 78," says Rob Deisenann, chairman for the Upper Tulpehocken Township Board of Supervisors. "The vast majority of the township is preserved farmland, and people live spread out in the sections that are left over."
Embracing the rustic charm of Upper Tulpehocken, PA.
A bird's eye view of Upper Tulpehocken, where rural charm meets breathtaking landscapes.
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Recreation in the Blue Mountain Range
Blue Mountain forms the natural northern border of the Upper Tulpehocken Township, offering many acres of natural land to explore. Part of that land includes the 2,000-mile-plus Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Pennsylvania State Game Lands No. 110, a popular spot for deer hunting and fishing. "Hunting is very, very big here," says Deissenan. "Hamburg has a Cabela's that everyone goes to get supplies." Both the Appalachian Trail and the game lands are accessible just 3 miles north along state Route 183. Parking lots sit off the main road at access points, and during the winter, the area has snowmobiling routes. Closer to home, Strausstown Lions Club Park has sports facilities, a playground, a bandstand and a skatepark. And the Pat Garrett Amphitheater is an outdoor venue that hosts concerts and comedy nights from May through September.
Embracing the untamed beauty of Upper Tulpehocken, PA's state gamelands.
Residents in Upper Tulpehocken can take a hike along the Appalachian Scenic Trail.
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National-style homes starting in the $200,000s
The tight rows of National-style homes that line Strausstown's main road were built in the late 1800s and range in price from $200,000 to $400,000. But most people settle outside of the village, in houses situated on rural lots several acres wide, where the nearest neighbor could be miles away. Ranch-style homes and colonial revivals go for $300,000 to $600,000, many with long personal driveways for privacy. Houses are separated by sprawling farmland and, to the north, the dense forest of the Blue Mountain foothills. The CAP Index gives Upper Tulpehocken a crime score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Colonial homes in Upper Tulpehocken provide all of the needs for a large family.
National-style homes line the streets in Strausstown in Upper Tulpehocken.
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Career pathways at Hamburg Area High
Students may start at Tilden Elementary Center, which gets a C-plus from Niche, before going to Hamburg Area Middle, which has a C. Hamburg Area High earns a B-minus and offers career pathways for fields like engineering and finance.
Tilden Elementary Center in Hamburg, PA, shaping tomorrow's leaders.
A picturesque view of Hamburg's local school, where knowledge blooms and futures take root.
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Shopping and dining around Strausstown
Within Strausstown, C&C Pizza is family owned and has been a staple since 1989. Kauffman's Bar-B-Que, a few miles west, is known for its fried chicken, and Way-Har Farm Market, a few miles south, is known for its homemade ice cream. To keep warm during the cold Pennsylvania winters, Sicafus Sheepskin sells handcrafted shearling coats, hats and more. For groceries, most residents head 12 miles east into Hamburg for a Walmart Supercenter and Aldi. Other stores in Hamburg include Cabela's, Lowe’s Home Improvement and Pet Supplies Plus.
C&C Pizza offers a delicious menu with diverse to-go beverages and a warm dining area in Upper Tulpehocken.
Walmart is the primary shopping location for many near Upper Tulpehocken in Hamburg.
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Lions Club events and senior support
The Strausstown Lions Club is an active organization that plans events and community enrichment for the Upper Tulpehocken area. In September, the group hosts an annual Antique Auto Show & Flea Market, and in the spring, there's an egg hunt at the neighborhood park. The organization enriches the community through small acts too, like decorating the main street for the holidays and giving out youth awards. To support the community's older residents, Berks Encore Strausstown offers social events, a fitness center and Meals on Wheels. There is also a food pantry at the Zion Blue Mountain Church. For a beefier community celebration, residents drive 12 miles to Hamburg for the annual Hamburger Festival. With live music and over 100 hamburger and small business vendors, the festival draws people from all over the East Coast. "Most people also go over to Hamburg to do their shopping, and it's where all the youth sports games are," says Deissenan.
Community gatherings and musical magic intertwine at the heart of Upper Tulpehocken PA.
Thrills and skills take flight at the Strausstown Lions Club skate park.
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Vast farmlands and serene countryside in Upper Tulpehocken PA.
Commuting to Reading, Allentown and Harrisburg
Upper Tulpehocken’s rural layout makes the area car-dependent. For commuters, Reading is a 20-mile drive south and home to a regional airport and large hospital. Allentown is a straight 40 miles east on Interstate 78, and has an international airport. Harrisburg is 40 miles west on I-78.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Upper Tulpehocken, Strausstown sell after 9 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Upper Tulpehocken, Strausstown over the last 12 months is $292,180, down 29% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$330,000
Median Single Family Price
$330,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$153
Last 12 months Home Sales
9
Median List Price
$330,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-18%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
371
Median Year Built
1976
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,847
On par with the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,755
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
76,230
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,586
Median Age
44
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
23.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$70,749
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$83,121
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
79.9%
College Graduates
17.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.2%
% Population in Labor Force
75.2%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
18''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
16/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
