King of Prussia is a census-designated place located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Named after King Frederick the Great of Prussia, it is located 35 miles southeast of Allentown and 15 miles northwest of Philadelphia. It is considered an edge city due to its large concentration of retail and office space at the intersection of four highways.
It features numerous malls, including two major shopping centers – South Street Station Shopping Center and the largest mall, King of Prussia. Both are contained within their own townships known as Greater King of Prussia Townships and offer over 6 million square feet combined.
The area within the town boasts many attractions including Valley Forge National Historic Park, movie theaters, golf courses, multiple gyms, various hotels, hair salons and spas, and educational facilities for children and adults alike such as tech academies and coding schools.
Population
The population of King of Prussia is projected to be 26,123 this year – making it the 25th largest city in Pennsylvania and the 1775th largest city in the United States. With an annual growth rate of 1.86%, an increase of 5.78% since the most recent census, this city is showing remarkable progress.
Some demographic data include:
| Category | Value |
| Median age | 37.4 |
| Median household income | $97,349 |
| Poverty rate | 3.69% |
| Ethnic groups | |
| White (Non-Hispanic) | 62.4% |
| Asian (Non-Hispanic) | 24.6% |
| Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) | 7.64% |
| Two+ (Non-Hispanic) | 2.35% |
| White (Hispanic) | 1.46% |
| Citizenship rate | 86% |
| Language | English |
History
King of Prussia’s name originates from the Prussia inn and tavern, named after the eighteenth-century ruler Frederick II. The inn was established in 1769 in a converted farmhouse from 1719, built by Welsh Quakers. Its favorable location, close to Philadelphia, and connected by the Pennsylvania and Reading railways made it prosperous.
By 1850, this business gave its name both to the local tavern and place – King of Prussia. In the twentieth century, the growth of the King of Prussia warranted its own zip code (19406) and post office.
In Upper Merion Township, the King of Prussia only exists as an incorporated government jurisdiction yet not a separate town. To introduce a governing framework to the area, the King of Prussia Business Improvement District (BID) was formed in 2010 to manage the township’s policies on zoning, taxation, planning, and transportation issues.
Quality of Life
King of Prussia has been named one of the best places to live in Pennsylvania. It was ranked 19th overall, 4th as a suburb for young professionals, and 12th best suburb by Niche in 2019. It received an A+ overall rating from Niche with positive scores in its public schools, housing options, nightlife, diversity levels, good for families rating, and outdoor activities offerings.
Getting around King of Prussia can require a car since its walk score is 29, its bike score is 32, and its transit score is 35 (in terms of traffic sources). However, there are still some transit options for residents and visitors such as the SEPTA BUS that connects King of Prussia with nearby cities.
For amenities and attractions, King of Prussia is home to the famous King of Prussia Mall and Valley Forge Casino Resort. Dining options are abundant including easy access to Aldi’s grocery store, King of Prussia Beer Outlet, and Walmart Pharmacy. There are also several healthcare facilities such as Einstein Healthcare Network King of Prussia and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia King of Prussia Specialty Care and Surgery Center.
Economy
King of Prussia boasts a low unemployment rate of 4.30%, and an impressive job growth rate of 1.44% annually and 38% in the next ten years, largely due to the area’s King of Prussia Mall and other employers. Approximately 60,000 people are employed there, which is three times its resident population.
It is also home to the headquarters of Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region I which oversees 25 nuclear power reactors at 16 nuclear power plants in the Northeast U.S.
Healthcare
King of Prussia is a medical hub for the healthcare industry, hosting world-renowned facilities like the Einstein Healthcare Network and the Children’s Hospital Of Philadelphia. The CHOP facility in the area offers specialty care services and an ambulatory surgery center, with plans to build a new hospital there in the future. It is sure to revolutionize healthcare in the area, adding enhanced functionality and making it a true destination for comprehensive and state-of-the-art medical treatments.
Education
King of Prussia is served by the Upper Merion Area School District. According to the United States Census Bureau, 96.0% of those aged 25 or older had at least a high school diploma as of 2017-2021. The district also serves various neighboring communities, with four elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school in operation.
The area also features several private educational options such as Mother Teresa Regional Catholic School in King of Prussia. Nearby colleges and universities include Villanova University, Cabrini University, and Eastern University – offering further education opportunities for inhabitants and visitors alike.
Transportation
King of Prussia (KOP) has a variety of transportation options for commuters, shoppers, students, and visitors.
KOP is situated at the convergence of four major highways: I-76, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, US 422, and US 202. It’s also serviced by SEPTA Suburban Division bus routes and shuttle buses, as well as intercity bus services like OurBus and Greyhound Lines. Although it doesn’t have direct rail access, the SEPTA King of Prussia Rail Project will extend the Norristown High-Speed Line 4 miles into King of Prussia.
In addition to the decent balance between traditional taxis and limousine companies, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are available in King of Prussia. There are also several trails for hiking and biking in the area.
Points of Interest
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania is a vibrant tourist destination with many attractions. Some popular places to visit include:
- King of Prussia Mall: the largest shopping mall in the area with over 400 stores and restaurant.
- King of Prussia Town Center: King of Prussia Town Center is a luxury lifestyle hub situated in the center of The Village at Valley Forge.
- American Treasure Tour: A tourist attraction with a variety of delightful smaller collections, including one of the world’s largest private collections of automatic music machines.
- Valley Forge Convention Center: Valley Forge boasts over 1 million square feet of event space, featuring two top-notch expo and convention centers. These centers include the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks and the Valley Forge Casino Resort Event Center.
- Arnold’s Family Fun Center: An outdoor recreational space and fun center that offers mini-golfing, arcade games, go-kart racing, laser tag, and a wide variety of candy, coffee, soda, ice cream, and slushies.
- Lower Perkiomen Valley Park: A park and garden that offers outdoor activities such as bicycling, jogging, rollerblading, cross-country skiing, playgrounds, recreational sports fields, basketball court, volleyball nets, tetherball areas, horseshoe pits, and dog walking.
- Churches & Cathedrals: King of Prussia has several beautiful churches and cathedrals including St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church and Mother of Divine Providence Church.
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