Malvern is a borough located in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It sits 25 miles west of Philadelphia along the Delaware River at the New Jersey border. The borough is bordered by Paoli Pike to the south, Sugartown Road to the west, Willistown Township to its east, and East Whiteland Township to its north.
The Malvern ZIP code includes many neighboring areas as well beyond just Malvern’s borders: East Whiteland, Charlestown, Willistown, East Goshen, East Pikeland, and Tredyffrin Township all fall within its zone. This brings even more diverse cultural and entertainment opportunities for residents to enjoy and explore in greater depth.
Population
| CATEGORY | DATA |
| Population (2020) | 3,445 |
| Population Estimate (2023) | 3,545 |
| Population Density | 2,813 people/square mile |
| Racial Composition | 80.6% White (Non-Hispanic), 9.5% Asian (Non-Hispanic), 4.4% Two+ (Non-Hispanic) |
| Poverty Rate | 4.33% |
| Median Household Income | $133,326 |
| Employment | 2.05k people |
| Largest Industries | Finance & Insurance, Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services, Health Care & Social Assistance |
| Citizenship (US) | 91.6% |
| Median Property Value | $386,400 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% |
History
Malvern was originally settled by Welsh immigrants in the 17th century. They purchased land from William Penn and later adopted the name Malvern in 1873 when the Pennsylvania Railroad straightened its tracks through the village.
This area is famous for the Paoli Massacre which occurred during the American Revolutionary War, led by General Anthony Wayne of Easttown. Since then, Malvern has become a diverse borough with a mix of residential neighborhoods, retail and industrial businesses, open land, and numerous organizations unlike any other.
Quality of Life
44% of Malvern’s households are renter-occupied, which can be an indicator of how “neighborly” the area is. It has a walk score of 62 and a bike score of 43 and offers plenty of dining options, grocery stores, and electric-vehicle charging locations.
If you have pets with you, Malvern is also a pet-friendly suburb of Philadelphia with residents who own dogs, cats, and horses. The city also contains several parks and playgrounds, including Malvern Memorial Park Playground, Paoli Battlefield, and East Goshen Park.
Economy
Malvern is home to many of America’s most successful companies. Corporate giants such as Siemens Healthcare, Ricoh Americas Corporation (formerly IKON Office Solutions), The Vanguard Group, Liberty Property Trust, The Center for Professional Innovation & Education Corporation, Cerner, Vishay Intertechnology, and CertainTeed are based out of Malvern. It also houses Endo International and AmericanMuscle.
As a business hub for the greater Philadelphia area, Malvern is a draw for many established firms that provide well-paid employment in various industries.
Healthcare
99.6% of Malvern’s population has health coverage. The majority of this is through employee plans, at 59.9%. Chester County primary care physicians saw 1163 patients in 2020, a 0.598% decrease from the previous year (1170 patients).
Per capita, personal healthcare spending in Pennsylvania was $9,258 in 2014: a 4.29% boost from 2013 ($8,877). This demonstrates the importance of health coverage and comprehensive medical treatment in the area.
Education
Malvern has a variety of schools. The Great Valley School District serves as the borough’s public education provider and there are two private schools: Malvern Preparatory School and The Willistown Country Day School (Montessori).
For those seeking an elementary Catholic school, St. Patrick’s is K–8th grade. Villa Maria Academy, on the other hand, is a private all-girls college preparatory high school with grades 9 to 12 and is accredited by both the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
Higher educational institutions in the area include Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies and Immaculata University.
The school rating consistency in Malvern is highly rated; Sugartown Elementary School ranked #134 in the state, General Wayne Elementary School ranked #89 in the state, Great Valley Middle School ranked #8 in the metro and Great Valley High School was at #17 in the metro.
Transport
Residents of Malvern have access to various transportation options in and around the borough. United States Route 202 connects the area to King of Prussia and Philadelphia to the east and Exton and Lancaster to the west. Pennsylvania Route 29 allows commuters to reach the Pennsylvania Turnpike near North Coventry.
Intercity bus service is also available via OurBus from Malvern all the way to Park Avenue in Manhattan as part of a route running to New York City; with a bus stop located at a park-and-ride lot on Matthews Road.
In spite of strong public transportation, most Malvern residents (76.2%) still prefer the convenience of driving alone when commuting, taking an average of 24.2 minutes per day for their commute time.
Places to Visit
Malvern, Pennsylvania offers a range of tourist attractions for visitors to explore.
- The Paoli Massacre Monument Battlefield and Parade Grounds is situated in the borough of Malvern and commemorates the site of the Paoli Massacre that occurred on September 20, 1777, during the American Revolutionary War under the command of General Anthony Wayne from nearby Easttown.
- Wharton Esherick Studio embraces historical recognition as it’s listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1993.
- Those seeking outdoor activities can head over to Samuel & M. Elizabeth Burke Park, Theodore S.A. Rubino Memorial Park, The Horace J. Quann Memorial Park, or John and Marion Herzak Park which offers hiking, biking, picnicking, and other open-air experiences.
- Victorian Christmas is an eventful course held on the first Friday evening and Saturday of each December.
Other places to visit include Eastnor Castle, London House Cafe, and The Picton Garden & Old Court Nurseries.
