Bala Cynwyd is a quaint borough in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County. Just 6 miles from Philadelphia and adjacent to the Schuylkill River, its over 300 years of history and culture await exploration by visitors and locals alike.
This area was originally occupied by Welsh Quakers in 1682 and they christened it with the names Bala and Cynwyd stemming from their hometowns in Wales and Scotland. Incorporated in 1900, it now has an impressive population of 9,000 people who’ve made this town their home.
History
Located in Pennsylvania’s Montgomery County, Bala Cynwyd consists of two towns, Bala and Cynwyd and divided by City Avenue and Bala Avenue. City Avenue runs east-west, while Bala Avenue traverses north-south along the west side of town.
Its history can be traced back to Merion Township, known as the “Main Line” of Philadelphia. Bales and Cyndwyd derived their names from Welsh origins.
Mrs. George B. Robert, the wife of a descendant of John Roberts, selected them as three station names Bala, Cynwyd, and Bamouth after her ancestral land in Wales. This influence is further reflected in roads with names such as Llandrillo, Llanberris, and Clwyd.
In the early 1900s, Bala Cynwyd was predominantly an agricultural area with a few homes scattered throughout it. About 20 years later saw an influx of English cottage-style properties being built to accommodate growing family sizes until this shifted again in the 1950s when modern dwellings replaced much of the traditional architecture.
Today, residents value Bala Cynwyd for its excellent schools and close location to Philadelphia’s city center. It is also highly acclaimed for healthcare services and involvement in multicultural initiatives designed to benefit the local community and further enhance the overall experience of living there.
Demographic Overview
Bala Cynwyd is a census-designated place (CDP) located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Census Bureau currently estimates its population to be around 9,606 as of July 1, 2021.
Known for its incredibly diverse community, the city’s racial makeup is colorful, having a mix of citizens from different backgrounds. White people make up the majority of residents following African Americans, Asians, and other races.
| Race/Ethnicity | Percentage |
| White | 81.6% |
| Asian | 8.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 6.9% |
| Black or African American | 1.7% |
The median age of Bala Cynwyd’s population stands at 44.2 years with over 98.7% of the residents aged 25 and over having at least a high school diploma and 77.6% have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification.
In terms of socioeconomic overview, the per capita income for Bala Cynwyd residents in 2020 was $64,045 in inflation-adjusted dollars and the median household income for the same period was $116,979 also adjusted for inflation.
These figures reveal that Bala Cynwyd’s population has well-above-average economic well-being when compared to other parts of the United States.
Health
Bala Cynwyd residents don’t have to look far for available healthcare services. The city is surrounded by several community health centers and hospitals that provide medical, dental, and behavioral health care to the residents of Bala Cynwyd and the surrounding areas.
Sitting right in the city is Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services, providing adult and pediatric home care, personal care, and skilled nursing services.
Jefferson Internal Medicine offers primary care and prevention services nearby, while Main Line Health has a wide selection of illnesses and conditions they treat as well.
Maxim Healthcare Services ensures local access to healthcare staffing and home healthcare options.
With all these various choices in the city, Bala Cynwyd’s citizens have plenty of quality medical options at their fingertips.
Transportation
Situated in Philadelphia’s Main Line, Bala Cynwyd is easily accessible via City Avenue, Bala Avenue, or Montgomery County.
Public transportation is effortless with Merion Station being the focal Regional Rail link that leads to urban and rural areas of the county. There are also two rail lines the Cynwyd and Paoli/Thorndale which have train fares ranging from $2.75 to $7.25.
Local bus routes provide convenient travel between separate towns throughout the area as well as a selection of cycling trails for an eco-friendly adventure. The 44, 52, and 65 bus lines provide frequent service to nearby towns Ardmore and Wynnewood with fares starting at $2.00.
For specialty transportation needs, King Transportation can offer various vehicles from Ford Econoline vans to wheelchair-accessible vans. Furthermore, the Moovit app provides real-time transit information and Care.com connects families with caregivers for various needs.
All in all, Bala Cynwyd has plenty of options for going places safely and conveniently!
Education System
Bala Cynwyd is served by the Lower Merion School District and has plenty of educational options, from public schools to private institutions and special services. This small town easily caters to parents’ desires for their children’s learning.
The kids in the area attend two public elementary schools, the Cynwyd Elementary School and Belmont Hills Elementary School. For middle school, they have the Bala Cynwyd Middle School. They also have an opportunity to choose between two local high schools which are Lower Merion High School and Harriton High School.
A notable alumnus of these former educational institutions is none other than Kobe Bryant, who attended Bala Cynwyd Middle School during eighth grade.
The students also have a choice of choosing private schools as well. With Kohelet Yeshiva High School, Kosloff Torah Academy, Merion Mercy Academy, Waldron Mercy Academy, and the French International School of Philadelphia all nearby.
Bala Cynwyd provides numerous schooling options so to provide each student an environment tailored to their needs while still respecting diversity. With its various educational outlets, students can choose one that best fits their interests now to prepare them for what lies ahead.
Popular Tourist Attractions and Iconic Landmarks
Bala Cynwyd offers a myriad of outdoor recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. Take a walk, ride the bike, or go for a jog along the Cynwyd Heritage Trail. The small community is also surrounded by multiple towns each with its own shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences. There’s no shortage of art galleries, museums, and libraries in Bala Cynwyd.
Bala Cynwyd is home to a number of exciting points of interest:
- Bala Golf Club: An exclusive 18-hole golf course with an exceptional diner and additional member allowances.
- Bala Cynwyd Park: Featuring 13 acres and activities such as basketball courts, softball fields, tennis courts, baseball fields, a playground, and more!
- Bala Cynwyd Public Library: Boasting 221,000 items and modern computer facilities with a children’s library housed on the second floor.
- Bala Cynwyd Shopping Center: Located on City Avenue and featuring stores and restaurants such as Acme Markets, Olive Garden, US Mailroom, and LA Fitness; with Saks Fifth Avenue a mere block away. Watch out for the sale promos too!
- Bala Cynwyd Middle School: For basketball fans, this small suburb offers something special. Kobe Bryant attended both Bala Cynwyd Middle School and Lower Merion High School. A yearbook featuring his signature and his iconic 24 number was sold at auction in 2015.
- Merion Memorial Park: Famed burial site for James A Bland and Skip James among others.
- Troop 1: One of the contenders for being one of the first and oldest boy scout troops in the United States is located here in Bala Cynwyd.
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