Renowned for its thriving arts and culture scene, Ardmore, Pennsylvania is a vibrant community situated at the center of the Main Line suburbs of Philadelphia. It’s the ideal destination to experience all the city has to offer, with a variety of attractions and activities suited to families, young professionals, and retirees alike.
Ardmore also has an emerging cultural landscape – with plenty of restaurants, nightlife, parks, and art galleries – that will keep any resident engaged. From the historic Suburban Square shopping mall to the popular Haverford Reserve park and a thriving arts scene, Ardmore is an attractive destination with something for everyone.
History
Ardmore, Pennsylvania is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located in Delaware and Montgomery Counties. It was originally known as “Athensville” before being renamed Ardmore by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1873.
It is served by SEPTA Regional Rail’s Paoli/Thorndale Line as well as Amtrak intercity passenger trains. Norristown High-Speed Line also runs through town, with three stations near Ardmore. These are Ardmore Junction, Wynnewood Road, and Ardmore Avenue respectively.
Suburban Square opened in 1928, making it one of the earliest shopping centers in the US. Nowadays, this vibrant mall provides a great alternative to megaplexes for shoppers. Along Lancaster Avenue, there are many historical buildings housing small family-owned businesses.
As the largest and most diverse town on the Main Line, Ardmore combines residential and urban life simultaneously, it is aesthetic being both modern and historic at once. It serves as a cultural center in Main Line suburbs while its station allows easy access to nearby towns and cities.
Population
Ardmore, PA saw growth in its population and median household income in 2020. The population rose from 12,808 to 13,567, with a 5.93% increase. The median age was 38.9 and its median household income jumped 5.49%, from $96,780 to $102,092.
| Ethnic Group | Percentage |
| White (Non-Hispanic) | 78.6% |
| Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) | 11.0% |
| Two+ (Non-Hispanic) | 3.3% |
| Asian (Non-Hispanic) | 2.83% |
| White (Hispanic) | 2.82% |
Health
Ardmore also has a relatively high rate of health coverage, which is great for the community’s overall health and well-being. Here’s the breakdown:
| Type of Health Coverage | Percentage of Population |
| Employee Plans | 66.5% |
| Medicaid | 5.37% |
| Medicare | 16.7% |
| Non-Group Plans | 9.03% |
| Military or VA Plans | 0.663% |
Ardmore is home to various healthcare options. The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Lankenau Medical Center are a few hospitals around here. Bryn Mawr Hospital and Paoli Hospital, both part of Main Line Health, are two of the region’s most esteemed acute care hospitals near Ardmore. Nemours Children’s Health offers pediatric expertise at downtown Lancaster Avenue.
Freedom HealthWorks provides direct primary care services in Ardmore. Montgomery County’s Office of Public Health is ranked #1 for optimizing the health and wellness of those in the area, including those with cognitive disabilities.
All these facilities are located in Delaware County and provide a variety of medical services to the community in Ardmore.
Education
Ardmore boasts a thriving educational system from primary to tertiary levels. The Lower Merion School District encompasses ten elementary schools, two middle schools, and the highly regarded Lower Merion High School, noted for its academic rigors and extracurriculars. Special needs students too are well catered for with speech and language therapy, and physical and occupational therapy for those with cognitive disabilities.
Besides the district-level educational system, there are many tertiary education options in the vicinity of Montgomery County. For example, Bryn Mawr College located nearby in Delaware County comes highly recommended. Haverford College is just outside Downtown Ardmore alongside Cabrini University and Villanova University. Community colleges can be found all around too.
Transportation
Ardmore, Pennsylvania is accessible by any means. SEPTA operates the Norristown High-Speed Line (NHSL) and the Paoli/Thorndale Line into Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs. Ardmore Station lies in the center of the town while Ardmore Avenue Station sits south of downtown.
Along with several bus routes which provide connections to Bryn Mawr, Delaware County, downtown Ardmore, and Lancaster Avenue in Montgomery County, two major roads – US Route 30 and US Route 202 run through Ardmore.
Ardmore also has access to both the Pennsylvania Turnpike and other highways. To make it convenient for visitors to roam throughout the city, there are many parking lots and garages as well as designated bike lanes and paths.
Culture and Recreation
Ardmore, Pennsylvania is a vibrant community with plenty to offer. At the Ardmore Music Hall, visitors can enjoy a range of musical acts from classic rock to jazz and blues. The Ardmore Farmers Market provides locally-sourced produce and handmade goods. The Suburban Square Shopping Center hosts an array of stores, dining, and entertainment venues.
The Ardmore Public Library offers book clubs, storytelling events, and computer classes as part of the Delaware County Library System. Locals can also enjoy outdoor activities in parks such as Ardmore Park or experience nature in nearby Haverford Reserve, which offers trails for hiking, biking, or horseback riding.
The Bryn Mawr Film Institute is beloved by film buffs who come to watch independent, classic, and foreign films. Since 1969, Ardmore also hosts the annual Arts Festival that celebrates local artists and musicians through live music performances and art installations, among other activities. Families have much to explore at Philadelphia Zoo which includes wildlife exhibitions and animal encounters.
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