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Who lives in Bensalem

Township of approximately 63,000 residents with a mix of white Americans, Latinos, South Asians, Eastern Europeans, and Brazilians, with no single dominant group.

Bensalem is one of the most diverse areas in Bucks County. The base still consists of white families of Italian, Irish, and Polish origin who came from Philadelphia throughout the twentieth century, but today the incoming population consists mainly of Mexican, Brazilian, Indian, Chinese, Korean, and Russian immigrants.

The Cornwells Heights neighborhood concentrates part of the Hispanic community, while the stretch along Street Road is home to Asian markets, restaurants, and temples. Brazilians appear in significant numbers, with Portuguese-language evangelical churches, restaurants, and grocery stores scattered throughout, especially near the border with Philadelphia.

Religion follows the regional pattern: Roman Catholics are the majority, with evangelical churches growing among Latinos and Brazilians, and a solid presence of Jewish, Sikh, Hindu, Russian Orthodox, and Muslim congregations. There is no single religious center; each community has its own parishes and temples.

Languages spoken
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Mandarin
  • +2 more
Main religions
  • Roman Catholicism
  • Evangelical Protestantism
  • Judaism
  • Hinduism
  • Sikhism
  • +2 more

Cost of living in Bensalem

Rents clearly lower than in Philadelphia or Princeton, competitive ethnic grocery stores, and property taxes typical of Pennsylvania.

The cost of living in Bensalem falls below the Philadelphia metropolitan area average, primarily in housing. Apartments in complexes along Street Road and Hulmeville Road tend to run significantly lower than comparable units inside Philadelphia, and houses with yards are still available at accessible price points in neighborhoods such as Andalusia and Cornwells Heights.

Food is a strong point: the presence of Latin American, Indian, Chinese, Korean, and Russian markets keeps the prices of ethnic products well below what is found in Manhattan or downtown Philadelphia. ShopRite, Aldi, Lidl, and Patel Brothers cover the basics.

Pennsylvania's property tax is substantial and levied at the municipal, school district, and state levels, so the annual bill can weigh on homebuyers. On the positive side, the state does not tax public or private retirement income for retirees, which benefits those arriving in a transitional life stage.

94Cost index (US = 100)6% below US average
CategorySingleCoupleFamily (2 + 2)
iHousing$1,220$1,408$1,784
iFood$357$713$1,296
iTransport$469$798$1,033
iHealthcare$263$526$986
iChildcare$1,709
iOther$798$1,436$2,019
Monthly total$3,107$4,881$8,827

Source: U.S. BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2023 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2023 · Estimates in USD, monthly.

Where to live in Bensalem

Suburban neighborhoods with single-family homes, apartment complexes along main avenues, and some more secluded areas near the Delaware River.

The township is divided into several neighborhoods with distinct profiles. Andalusia, along the Delaware River, is older and features historic homes at higher price points. Trevose, to the north, is heavily middle-class family territory with houses from the 1950s and 1960s. Cornwells Heights and Eddington have lower rents and a strong Latino and Brazilian presence.

Apartment complexes such as Top of the Ridge, Bensalem Garden, and Pheasant Run are common options for newcomers who need something quickly without buying. Rental houses also appear frequently on sites such as Zillow and Trulia, though the market remains tight.

Those seeking quiet tend to look toward the northern part of the township, near Hulmeville. Those who prioritize proximity to a SEPTA train station look toward Cornwells Heights, Eddington, or Croydon (in neighboring Bristol Township), with direct access on the Trenton Line to Philadelphia or New Jersey.

Recommended neighborhoods
  • Andalusia
  • Trevose
  • Cornwells Heights
  • Eddington
  • Bensalem Township central (near Parx Casino)
  • +1 more

Job market in Bensalem

Jobs concentrated in gaming and hospitality at Parx Casino, retail, logistics, healthcare services, and light industry, with easy access to positions in Philadelphia.

Parx Casino is the township's largest single employer, with thousands of workers in gaming, food service, security, and maintenance. Around it are hotels, restaurants, and event centers that rely on the same visitor flow.

The industrial strip along Interstate 95 and Route 13 includes warehouses, distribution centers, and light factories that regularly hire newcomers without fluent English. Construction, landscaping, cleaning, and home care are also common entry points for Brazilian and Latino immigrants.

For skilled professionals, the relevant job market is Philadelphia's: hospitals such as Penn Medicine, Jefferson, and CHOP; pharmaceutical companies in the Route 1 corridor in New Jersey; and technology firms in Center City Philadelphia. The SEPTA train makes that daily commute feasible.

Dominant sectors
  • Gaming and hospitality
  • Retail
  • Logistics and distribution
  • Healthcare
  • Construction
  • +1 more
Major employers
  • Parx Casino
  • Bensalem Township School District
  • Jefferson Bucks Hospital
  • Wawa
  • Walmart
  • +1 more

Education in Bensalem

Own public school district, traditional Catholic schools, and short access to major universities in Philadelphia and Bucks County.

Bensalem Township School District serves approximately 6,000 students in public schools, with Bensalem High School as the capstone. State assessment scores are average for the region, and the district runs well-structured English as a Second Language programs given the high volume of immigrant families.

Private Catholic schools such as Conwell-Egan Catholic and Holy Ghost Preparatory (in neighboring Bensalem/Bristol) are traditional options. For early childhood and elementary education, several parochial schools operate within the township.

In higher education, Bucks County Community College in Newtown is the closest and most affordable option. For four-year universities, Temple University, Drexel, Penn (Ivy League), and La Salle are all in Philadelphia, accessible by train or car. Holy Family University sits just across the border.

Notable universities
  • Bucks County Community College (Newtown, nearby)
  • Holy Family University (Philadelphia, at the border)
  • Temple University (Philadelphia)
  • Drexel University (Philadelphia)
  • University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia)
  • La Salle University (Philadelphia)

Healthcare in Bensalem

Local hospital Jefferson Bucks, community clinics, and quick access to top medical centers in Philadelphia.

Primary care in Bensalem is covered by Jefferson Bucks Hospital, part of the Jefferson Health system, and by urgent care clinics spread throughout the township. For more complex cases, most patients end up going to Jefferson Health or Penn Medicine central hospitals in Philadelphia.

As throughout the United States, having health insurance is practically mandatory: hospital bills without coverage are unmanageable. Newly arrived immigrants often turn to community clinics such as Esperanza Health Center or Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Philadelphia, which charge on a sliding scale based on income.

CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid pharmacies operate at central locations and dispense prescriptions. Dentists and ophthalmologists generally require separate insurance coverage. For emergencies, Jefferson Bucks Hospital's emergency department is the natural first stop; for children, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is the regional reference.

Healthcare index66.0 / 100
  • Life expectancyyears at birth
    78.4yrs
  • Doctors per 1kpracticing physicians
    3.7
  • Health spendper capita, per year
    $13,473
  • Public systemoverall quality rating
    Good

Safety in Bensalem

Township with average crime rates for the Philadelphia area: quiet residential neighborhoods, busy commercial corridors, and some areas with higher incident rates.

In general, Bensalem is considered safe by Philadelphia metropolitan area standards, with most residential neighborhoods marked by low violent crime. The township has its own police department, active in patrols, and cameras at strategic locations.

The most frequent incidents involve theft in shopping center parking lots and at hotels along Route 1, and some drug activity at isolated spots. The immediate surroundings of Parx Casino see heavy foot traffic and reinforced policing, but any concentrated parking area warrants basic awareness.

Residential neighborhoods such as Andalusia, Trevose, and the northern part of the township are very quiet. Older areas near the Philadelphia border, such as Cornwells Heights, see more minor crime incidents but remain viable for residents who take basic precautions.

Safer neighborhoods
  • Andalusia
  • Trevose
  • Northern Bensalem (near Hulmeville)
  • Salem Harbour
Areas to avoid
  • Stretches of Bristol Pike at night
  • Hotel parking lots along Route 1 outside business hours
  • Cornwells Heights edges closest to the Philadelphia border late at night

Getting around Bensalem

Township designed for cars, but with frequent SEPTA trains to Philadelphia and quick access to three regional airports.

Without a car, life is difficult, as in nearly every American suburb. Streets are wide, distances between services are long, and commercial centers are arranged along Street Road, Bristol Pike, and Hulmeville Road. Parking is plentiful and free at most locations.

SEPTA operates several stations in the township on the Trenton Line: Cornwells Heights, Eddington, and Bristol are nearby, with regular service to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia and to Trenton, New Jersey, where NJ Transit connections to Manhattan are available.

The nearest airport is Philadelphia International (PHL), about 40 minutes by car. For cheaper fares, many residents use Trenton-Mercer (TTN) or travel to Newark (EWR) in the neighboring state. Bike lanes are rare and the township is not bicycle-friendly.

Airports
  • PHL — Philadelphia International (about 40 min by car)
  • TTN — Trenton-Mercer (about 35 min, in NJ)
  • EWR — Newark Liberty International (about 1h15, in NJ)

What the Climate Is Like Living in Bensalem

Humid continental climate in a Philadelphia suburb, with hot and humid summers near 90°F, cold winters with regular snowfall, and four distinct seasons.

Summer in Bensalem runs from June through September, with highs between 82 and 88°F and high humidity carried in from the Delaware Valley. Afternoon thunderstorms with lightning are common in July and August. Central air conditioning is standard in all suburban homes.

Winters are cold. From December through March, highs stay between 37 and 43°F, with lows dropping to 21–32°F. The city accumulates 24 to 31 inches of snow per year, with nor'easters bringing occasional heavy snowstorms. Oil or gas heating is universal, and window insulation is important.

Spring and fall are short and pleasant, with blooming in April and foliage in October. Newcomers adapt well overall, though the humid summers call for proper hydration and winter requires a heavy coat, waterproof boots, and gloves during the snowiest months.

Sunny days / year207 days
Avg high (°F)
  • 58°J
  • 61°F
  • 71°M
  • 79°A
  • 85°M
  • 90°J
  • 94°J
  • 94°A
  • 91°S
  • 82°O
  • 70°N
  • 61°D
Avg low (°F)
  • 11°J
  • 12°F
  • 20°M
  • 28°A
  • 38°M
  • 47°J
  • 61°J
  • 60°A
  • 47°S
  • 36°O
  • 24°N
  • 16°D
Rainfall (")
  • 3"J
  • 3"F
  • 4"M
  • 4"A
  • 4"M
  • 4"J
  • 6"J
  • 5"A
  • 4"S
  • 4"O
  • 3"N
  • 5"D

Culture and daily life

Suburban culture blended with a strong presence of immigrant communities, occasional ethnic festivals, and easy access to Philadelphia's cultural scene.

Bensalem does not carry the cultural weight of a large city, but the diversity of its residents has given rise to a very active ethnic food scene. Brazilian, Mexican, Indian, Korean, Russian, and Turkish restaurants share space along Street Road, and markets such as Net Cost (Russian) and Latin American grocery stores draw customers from across the region.

More formal cultural life happens in Philadelphia, 30 minutes by train: museums like the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Barnes Foundation, concert halls like the Kimmel Center, and the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, and Flyers. Many Bensalem residents are fans of these teams.

Locally, seasonal events at Parx Casino, Catholic parish festivals, Indian celebrations such as Diwali at regional temples, and summer fairs at Neshaminy State Park mark the calendar. The Andalusia Historic House offers guided tours and provides a glimpse into the neighborhood's colonial past.

Notable dishes
  • Philadelphia cheesesteak (regional classic)
  • Philadelphia soft pretzel
  • Hoagie (local sandwich)
  • Pierogi (Polish heritage)
  • Italian water ice
  • +1 more
Annual events
  • Bensalem Community Day
  • Parx Big Event (horse racing)
  • Diwali at local Hindu temples
  • Neshaminy State Park summer concerts
  • Summer parish festivals at Catholic churches

Things to do in Bensalem

Casino, colonial landmarks along the Delaware, state park, major shopping centers, and proximity to all Philadelphia has to offer visitors.

Parx Casino is the biggest commercial draw, with casino gaming, a racetrack, shows, and restaurants. For those who prefer history, Andalusia Historic House, a nineteenth-century neoclassical mansion on the Delaware River, offers guided tours and stands as one of the most striking addresses in the county.

Neshaminy State Park, with more than 130 hectares at the Delaware border, has trails, a marina, a public pool, and picnic areas. It serves as Bensalem's outdoor retreat on summer weekends, particularly for families.

For shopping, Neshaminy Mall and Franklin Mills/Philadelphia Mills (just across the border in Philadelphia) cover the retail side. For weekend outings, Philadelphia, New Hope (in Bucks County), and the New Jersey Shore are all within an hour or slightly more by car.

  1. 1Parx Casino
  2. 2Andalusia Historic House
  3. 3Neshaminy State Park
  4. 4Neshaminy Mall
  5. 5Bensalem Memorial Park
  6. 6Philadelphia Mills (at the border)
Parks & green spaces
  • Neshaminy State Park
  • Bensalem Memorial Park
  • Russell Elliott Memorial Park
  • Playwicki Park (in Lower Southampton, nearby)
  • Cornwells Park

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