Jenkintown, PA Area Guide

Named for Welsh settler William Jenkins, Jenkintown was incorporated as a borough in 1874 from 248 acres carved out of Abington Township. The compact community along Old York Road has roots reaching back to 1697, and British troops passed through on their way to the Battle of White Marsh in December 1777. Today, the historic character remains visible in the preserved architecture lining the downtown corridor, where Victorian-era commercial buildings house galleries, shops, and restaurants. The Abington Art Center operates within the historic Alverthorpe Manor, transforming the estate into studio spaces and exhibition galleries. From the mid-1950s through the early 1980s, Jenkintown served as a major retail hub for Philadelphia's northern suburbs, and ongoing efforts to revitalize historic landmarks continue to shape the borough's identity. The Jenkintown Festival of Arts celebrates that creative legacy each year, drawing residents and visitors to the walkable streets that still reflect the borough's 19th-century origins.

Jenkintown's dining scene is concentrated along the Old York Road and Walnut Street corridor, where a walkable stretch of independent restaurants reflects the borough's eclectic, community-minded character. The area draws on the diverse palates of greater Philadelphia's northern suburbs, offering everything from casual breakfast cafes and craft pizza to Mediterranean and Moroccan-influenced kitchens. The weekly Jenkintown Farmer's Market on Greenwood Avenue supplies residents and local chefs alike with seasonal produce and artisan goods, reinforcing a culture that values fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Whether grabbing a quick bite before catching a SEPTA train or settling into a neighborhood pub for the evening, residents find a genuinely local dining experience in a compact, walkable downtown.

Jenkintown's compact size makes walking a practical option for everyday errands, particularly along Old York Road and surrounding residential streets. The borough's most significant transit asset is the Jenkintown-Wyncote Station, where SEPTA's Warminster, West Trenton, Lansdale/Doylestown, and Airport lines all stop, putting Center City Philadelphia about 35 minutes away by rail. Route 77 bus service provides connecting options to nearby stations. For drivers, Old York Road links to the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the north and the Delaware Expressway to the south, and most residents still rely on a car for daily trips. Biking is possible throughout the one-square-mile borough, though dedicated infrastructure is limited.

Jenkintown itself has no dedicated parkland within its compact borders, but Alverthorpe Park sits just outside the borough to the west and serves as the primary green space for residents. The park offers a well-rounded mix of outdoor amenities, including a golf course, fishing, basketball courts, tennis courts, a playground, a miniature pool, and a picnic area. A 1.7-mile loop trail winds through the grounds past a scenic lake, making it a reliable spot for jogging and cycling. The Abington Art Center, housed in the historic Alverthorpe Manor adjacent to the park, adds a cultural dimension to the natural setting with galleries, studios, and public gardens.

Jenkintown sits within the higher-income suburbs of Montgomery County, with a median household income of $128,418 that reflects the borough's established residential character. Average rent runs around $1,531 for a one-bedroom, with studios averaging $1,647 and two-bedroom units reaching approximately $2,101. Nearby communities such as Abington Township and Glenside offer somewhat lower rental rates, giving prospective renters options at different price points within a short distance. The borough's compact one-square-mile footprint means housing inventory is limited, consisting largely of apartment buildings, rowhomes, and single-family rentals rather than large multifamily complexes.

Old York Road is the spine of Jenkintown's shopping scene, lined with small independent boutiques, specialty retailers, and local service shops that give the borough a walkable, neighborhood-retail character. The compact scale of the district means most errands and browsing happen within a short stretch, reinforcing the pedestrian-friendly feel the borough is known for. The Jenkintown Farmers Market on Greenwood Avenue draws residents each week from spring through summer with fresh produce, artisan breads, meat, and handmade crafts, adding a community gathering dimension to local commerce. Larger chain grocers and big-box retailers in surrounding communities round out the everyday shopping needs.