Is Prospect Park Safe, Pros and cons of living in Prospect Park
Prospect Park, Pennsylvania, is a small borough situated in Delaware County, offering a suburban feel within proximity to Philadelphia. Incorporated in 1894, it has evolved from its origins as a bedroom community into a distinct residential area. The borough covers a little less than one square mile and is known for its convenient rail access to Philadelphia, making it an attractive location for commuters.
The community is characterized by a mix of housing types, including single-family homes, duplexes, and rowhouses, catering to a diverse range of residents. Prospect Park’s appeal lies in its blend of suburban tranquility and accessibility to urban amenities, supported by local parks and essential services. The borough’s history is also notable, with Prospect Hill Baptist Church playing a role in the institution of “In God We Trust” on U.S. currency.
Is it Safe to Live in Prospect Park?
Prospect Park’s overall crime rate is reported to be significantly lower than the national average. Specifically, the total crime rate is 55% lower than the national average, with violent crimes also being 52% lower and property crimes 55% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This suggests a generally safe environment for residents, though crime can vary by neighborhood.
In terms of specific crime statistics, there were 11 reported violent crimes, equating to 173 per 100,000 individuals, which is 51.8% lower than the national average. Property crimes amounted to 787 per 100,000 residents, a figure that is 55.3% lower than the U.S. average (as reported by AreaVibes). Year over year, crime in Prospect Park has seen a decrease of 23% (as reported by AreaVibes).
Cost of Living and Housing
Housing Costs
The median home value in Prospect Park was approximately $244,600 as of 2024, showing a slight increase of 2.04% from the previous year (as reported by Data USA). The homeownership rate in Prospect Park is 58%, which is below the national average (as reported by Data USA). For renters, the median gross rent was reported to be $1,183 per month (as reported by Data USA).
More recent data indicates that the average home value in Prospect Park is around $288,070, with a slight decrease of 1.2% over the past year as of March 31, 2026 (as reported by Zillow). The average rent in Prospect Park is reported to be $1,534, which is 23.3% lower than the national average (as reported by Zillow). This suggests a potentially more affordable rental market compared to national trends.
Cost of Living Index
Prospect Park’s cost of living index is reported at 79, which is 21% lower than the national average of 100 (as reported by AreaVibes). This indicates that overall expenses in Prospect Park are lower than the national average. Housing costs in Prospect Park are notably lower, being 68% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).
However, some sources indicate that living costs in Prospect Park are 14% higher than the U.S. national average, with soaring housing costs, elevated transportation expenses, and rising food prices being primary drivers (as reported by Salary.com). This highlights a potential discrepancy in cost of living data, with some sources suggesting it’s below the national average and others indicating it’s higher.
Job Market and Economy
Employment and Industries
The economy in Prospect Park employs a significant portion of its residents, with the largest industries being Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Other Services, Except Public Administration (as reported by Data USA). These sectors provide a substantial number of jobs for the local workforce.
The highest-paying industries in Prospect Park include Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services, followed by Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services, and Construction (as reported by Data USA). This indicates potential for higher earnings in specialized or skilled fields within the borough.
Salaries and Unemployment
The average salary in Prospect Park, as of May 2026, is approximately $23.73 per hour or $49,364 per year (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income has been reported at $63,077 (as reported by Data USA). The unemployment rate in Prospect Park stands at 6.4%, which is considered higher than the typical range of 4% to 5% (as reported by Data USA).
Wages can vary by age group, with households led by residents aged 45 to 64 earning a median income of $103,660, while those aged 25 to 44 earn a median of $61,075 (as reported by Data USA). The poverty rate in Prospect Park is 9.21% (as reported by Data USA).
Climate and Weather
Temperatures and Seasons
Prospect Park experiences a climate with warm, humid, and wet summers, and very cold, snowy winters. Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from 26°F to 87°F, rarely dropping below 14°F or exceeding 94°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The hottest month is July, with average highs of 88°F and lows of 70°F, while January is the coldest, with average lows of 27°F and highs of 40°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
The hot season spans from May 30 to September 16, characterized by daily high temperatures above 77°F. Conversely, the cold season lasts from December 2 to March 7, with daily high temperatures below 49°F (as reported by Time and Date). The borough experiences approximately 139 days of comfortable weather annually, with the best times to visit being mid-April to mid-June and mid-August to mid-October (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Precipitation
Annual precipitation in Prospect Park averages around 46 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The wettest month is July, with an average of 3.6 inches of rain, while February sees the least rain, averaging 2.1 inches (as reported by Time and Date). A wet day is defined as having at least 0.04 inches of precipitation.
The chance of wet days is higher from April 1 to August 27, with over a 30% chance each day. July typically has the most wet days, averaging 11.2. The drier season extends from August 27 to April 1, with January having the fewest wet days, averaging 7.1 (as reported by Time and Date).
Education and Schools
School District and Performance
Students in Prospect Park attend schools within the Interboro School District, which includes Prospect Park School (serving grades 1-8) and Interboro High School (as reported by Wikipedia). Prospect Park School has an overall Niche grade of B- and a GreatSchools Rating of 6 out of 10 (as reported by Homes.com). It serves 561 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1.
Prospect Park School ranks in the bottom 50% of all Pennsylvania schools for overall test scores, with 32% of students proficient in math and 58% in reading (as reported by National Center for Education Statistics, PA Dept. of Education). However, it also ranks better than 55.5% of elementary schools in Pennsylvania and is first among elementary schools in the Interboro School District (as reported by SchoolDigger).
Educational Attainment
Approximately 23.21% of adults in Prospect Park have at least a bachelor’s degree (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The Interboro School District as a whole is ranked 382 out of 606 districts in Pennsylvania (as reported by SchoolDigger). Interboro High School has a graduation rate of approximately 90% (as reported by OurStates.org).
Demographics and Diversity
Population and Age
Prospect Park is home to approximately 6,427 residents as of 2024 (as reported by Data USA). The median age in Prospect Park is 33.7 years, with males averaging 31 years and females averaging 44.1 years (as reported by Data USA). The population is distributed with about 16.2% under 15, 12.8% between 15 and 24, 30.7% between 25 and 44, 25.6% between 45 and 64, and 14.7% aged 65 or older (as reported by Data USA).
Gender distribution shows 53.4% male and 46.6% female residents (as reported by Data USA). The borough has a population density of 8,783.1 inhabitants per square mile (as reported by Wikipedia).
Race and Ethnicity
The racial makeup of Prospect Park is diverse, with White residents making up approximately 73.79%, followed by Black or African American at 14.71% (as reported by Data USA). Other racial groups include Asian (2.85%), and those of two or more races (8.4%). Hispanic or Latino individuals constitute a smaller percentage of the population.
In 2024, 6.36% of Prospect Park residents were born outside the United States, which is comparable to the national average (as reported by Data USA). The majority of residents are U.S. citizens, with 96.7% holding citizenship (as reported by Data USA).
Major Employers
While specific major employers located directly within Prospect Park are not detailed, the largest employment sectors for residents are Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Other Services, Except Public Administration (as reported by Data USA). Many residents also commute to major employment hubs in Philadelphia and Wilmington for work, leveraging the borough’s convenient transportation links (as reported by OurStates.org).
Industries offering the highest pay in the area include Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services and Construction (as reported by Data USA). The proximity to Philadelphia also means access to a broader job market with diverse opportunities across various sectors.