Upper Merion: 2nd Best Place to Live for Families

Upper Merion, a Montgomery County township, was recently named the second best place to live for families by Fortune.

The ranking came after Fortune evaluated over 2,000 cities, towns, suburbs, exurbs, villages and townships with 20,000 or more residents nationwide by reviewing data across five main categories: education, resources for aging adults, general wellness, financial health and livability.

Located 16 miles outside of Philadelphia, Upper Merion (population 35,582) has a median household income of $117,276. In 2022, the median sale price for single-family homes was $502,418.

“Upper Merion is one of the more affordable areas of Montgomery County for residents,” says Tri-County Suburban Realtors® President Michael Maerten. “The township has done a great job attracting a mix of businesses, corporations and residential opportunities to keep property taxes low for its residents. It’s also one of only two municipalities in the county to not charge an earned income tax to its residents, which can otherwise range from 0.75% to 2.1% in the county.”

“The township continues to provide modern recreational offerings and facilities, making it a great place not only to live, but to be active,” Maerten adds.

When it comes to being the second best place for families to live, Fortune cites Upper Merion’s “urban-suburban feel” and 65,000 jobs, as well as family-friendly attractions such as Valley Forge National Historical Park, Elmwood Park Zoo, the Academy of Natural Sciences and the King of Prussia Mall.

Other highlights include:

• High school district graduation rate: 93%
• Number of hospitals within 25 miles recommended by over 50% of patients: 32
• Number of above-average nursing homes within 50 miles, per 100,000 households: 28
• Sharecare Community Well-Being Index Score (out of 100): 74
• Financial Well-Being Index Score (out of 100): 65