Bensalem Makes ‘Best Places to Live’ List
Money Magazine named Bensalem the 85th best small city in the country to live based on jobs, schools, crime, health care and leisure/culture.
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Bensalem was named one of the 100 Best Places to Live by Money Magazine.
“These terrific small cities offer what American families care about most -- strong job opportunities, great schools, low crime, quality health care, and plenty to do. And they're true communities too,” according to the story.
Bensalem was ranked 85 on the list. Only two other Pennsylvania communities made the list – Abington (41) and Millcreek (91).
Here’s what the magazine said about Bensalem:
“Best known for M. Night Shyamalan's movie Signs, which was filmed at a local warehouse, Bensalem is also home to the well-known Parx Casino and Racetrack. More kid-friendly activities in this township just 20 minutes from Philadelphia include a skate park and the TD Bank Amphitheater, an outdoor park that hosts concerts every Wednesday night from June to October. --D.M.”
Here’s the statistics the magazine used to rank Bensalem:
|
Financial |
City stats |
Best places avg. |
|
Median family income |
$74,659 |
$96,825 |
|
Family purchasing power |
$71,788 |
$93,218 |
|
State sales tax |
6.00% |
5.57% |
|
State income tax rate |
3.07% |
7.31% |
|
State income tax rate |
3.07% |
3.08% |
|
Auto insurance premiums |
$1,468 |
$1,596 |
|
Job growth % |
-2.31% |
25.01% |
|
Housing |
||
|
Median home price |
$223,842 |
$269,768 |
|
Average property taxes |
$2,645 |
$6,517 |
|
Education |
||
|
Colleges, universities and |
18 |
8 |
|
Test scores reading |
33.8% |
28.2% |
|
Test scores math |
35.5% |
29.2% |
|
% students attending public/private |
N.A./N.A. |
91.5/8.5 |
|
Quality of life |
||
|
Air quality index* |
78.4% |
77.3% |
|
Personal crime incidents (per 1,000) |
2 |
2 |
|
Property crime incidents (per 1,000) |
35 |
20 |
|
Median commute time (in minutes) |
23.9 |
22.2 |
|
% population with commute |
21.8% |
14.9% |
|
% population walk or bike to work |
2.3% |
3.2% |
|
Leisure and culture |
||
|
Movie theaters |
48 |
33 |
|
Restaurants |
6,992 |
3,134 |
|
Bars |
629 |
199 |
|
Public golf courses |
257 |
169 |
|
Libraries |
195 |
70 |
|
Museums (accredited by AAM; |
19 |
10 |
|
Ski resorts (within 100 miles) |
11 |
6 |
|
Arts funding (Dollars per person of state funds spent on arts) |
1.0 |
1.4 |
|
Weather |
||
|
Annual rainfall |
125 |
34.21 |
|
% clear days in the area |
26 |
32 |
|
High temp in July ° F |
83.6° |
86.8° |
|
Low temp in Jan ° F |
15.7° |
18.4° |
|
Meet the neighbors |
||
|
Median age |
41.3 |
35.2 |
|
Completed at least some college |
50.3% |
72.6% |
|
Married % |
51.5% |
57.9% |
|
Divorced % |
9.4% |
8.0% |
|
Racial diversity index |
101.3 |
118.4 |
JNessa1970
10:30 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Best place to live? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? It has no clue what it is doing. Oh wait, publishing false facts and half truths.
sue domin
8:07 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Where exactly do u live jnessa? Its an article about all the factors in the city which make it a great place, read the article.
Mary Beth
1:31 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
If this is so, then why isn't my house selling. It's so nice and a GREAT price.
JNessa1970
3:10 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Wow, well said Mary Beth.....Joe? want to comment? Did not think so...
JNessa1970
3:10 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
#Mary Beth, WELL SAID. Joe, would you like to comment????? I did not think so.
Joe Hart
4:09 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Thanks for reading and for your comments JNessa1970...This article is about a list in Money magazine that ranked small cities based on certain factors...I didn't express any opinion in the article about Bensalem being a nice place to live, but since you asked, I've been here for almost a couple years now and I think it's great.
Mary Beth
11:50 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
I'm moving because I need a bigger house, but like Joe, I think Bensalem is great. It's minutes from 95, the turnpike, and a short drive to Philly. It has a great community, plus I think the Mayor is tops!!!
BobJones
10:32 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
I like living in Bensalem too. Taxes aren't bad, there's plenty to do and you're near major highways to get other places when you have to.
P2YA
11:45 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Highly subjective and meaningless. Take it with a grain of salt. It's not like Money Magazine visited here and interviewed countless residents. I visited a town listed as number 2 on their "best places to retire" list two years ago. I was unimpressed and left scratching my head on how it could possibly be on that list. Having said that, Bensalem is neither better or worse than many towns in Pennsylvania, but you can be sure the bestowment will be trumpeted ad nauseum in officials' reelection campaigns.
ararref
5:59 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Wendy we can always count on you. If you hate it move. I know 400 first resonders that will help you pack
Criss
10:36 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
LOL
addie v
8:50 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
Just bought a house here in bensalem. Lived here 4 years now and love the town. Neigh Sayers probably suck at life and will be disgruntled anywhere.
sue domin
8:14 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
My entire family was born and raised here, I lived in upper bucks for most of my childhood, and of course its more beautiful and less crowed there and a wonderful place to live, but not everyone can afford to live there. Now i have kids and bensalem has allowed me to be able to buy a home and live in a nice community, yes there are some people who dont take care of their homes, but what town doesnt. We are close to all highways, city, shore, ect. Taxes are great and we have tons of playgrounds, believe me i know! So yes with all the factors, which this article states, bensalem is a great place to live!
Toya4
4:22 pm on Saturday, November 24, 2012
Im thinking about moving to Pennsylvania, I have kids looking for good schools..so what city will be best