Is Downingtown Safe, Pros and cons of living in Downingtown
Downingtown, Pennsylvania, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to urban amenities. Nestled in Chester County, this historic borough provides a charming atmosphere with a growing community. Its location, just 33 miles west of Philadelphia, makes it an attractive option for those seeking a suburban lifestyle with the benefits of a larger city nearby.
The borough boasts a rich history, with many historic structures still standing, particularly along East Lancaster Avenue. Originally known as Milltown, it was renamed Downingtown in honor of Thomas Downing, a prominent businessman. Today, Downingtown is undergoing revitalization, with new projects aiming to enhance its future growth and opportunities for residents.
Is it Safe to Live in Downingtown?
Downingtown is generally considered a safe place to live, with crime rates often reported as lower than the national average. The overall crime index in the 19335 zip code, which encompasses Downingtown, is 31% below the national average (index 69) (as reported by DoorProfit). Violent crime rates are also significantly lower than the national average, with one source indicating they are 74% lower (as reported by AreaVibes).
However, property crime rates are reported to be higher than the national average in some analyses. One report states that property crimes in Downingtown are 18.7% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Despite this, the chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is relatively low, with a 1 in 1058 chance (as reported by NeighborhoodScout), and the chance of becoming a victim of any crime is 1 in 46 (as reported by AreaVibes).
Housing Costs and Market Trends
Median Home Price
The median home price in Downingtown has seen an increase compared to previous years. As of March 2026, the median sale price of a home was $443,000, which was up 6.6% from the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Another report from March 2026 indicates the median home value in Downingtown is $584,261, an increase of 2.2% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). Other data suggests a median listing price of $615K in March 2026 (as reported by Realtor.com® Economic Research).
Rental Market
Rental prices in Downingtown are generally higher than the national average. As of May 2026, the average rent in Downingtown is $1,788 per month, which is 9% higher than the national average of $1,642 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). Another source from May 2026 indicates an average rent of $2,650 per month, with a price range of $1,400 to $4,265 (as reported by Zillow). There has been a year-over-year increase in rent prices, with one report showing a 0.9% increase in the last year (as reported by Apartments.com), and another showing a $155 increase (as reported by Zillow).
Cost of Living and Salaries
Cost of Living
Downingtown’s cost of living is generally higher than the national average. One report indicates that the overall cost of living is 12% higher than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com). Housing expenses are a significant factor, being 46% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Other expenses like food, energy, transportation, and healthcare also contribute to the overall cost.
However, some data suggests a different perspective on housing costs. One source states that housing costs are 17.0% lower at $996 per month for a single person and $1826 per month for a family of four (as reported by Salary.com). This discrepancy may be due to different methodologies or specific components being measured.
Average Salary
The average salary in the Downingtown/Philadelphia area is reported to be $79,000 (as reported by Suburban Solutions). Another source indicates that the average annual salary for employees at Downingtown Borough is $90,776 (as reported by Indeed). For H1B visa holders in Downingtown, PA, the median salary in FY 2026 was $116,709 (as reported by H1B Salaries Data).
Job Market and Major Employers
Major Employers
Chester County, which includes Downingtown, has a diverse range of major employers. These include financial institutions, online retailers, government entities, hospitals, educational institutions, and pharmaceutical companies (as reported by Chester County Planning Commission). Some of the prominent employers in the broader Chester County area include The Vanguard Group Inc., The Chester County Hospital, Main Line Hospitals Inc., and the County of Chester (as reported by Chester County Planning Commission).
Within Downingtown itself, Chester County Intermediate Unit and Downingtown Area School District are significant employers (as reported by Chester County Planning Commission). Comcast and DNB Financial Corporation also have a presence in the area (as reported by Zippia).
Unemployment Rate
The unemployment rate in Pennsylvania was 4.2% in March 2026, which was unchanged from the previous month and lower than the U.S. overall unemployment rate at that time (as reported by USAFacts). This rate reflects the percentage of people in the labor force actively looking for work but not currently employed. This figure is generally lower than the long-term average for Pennsylvania (as reported by YCharts).
Climate and Weather
Temperatures and Rainfall
Downingtown experiences a climate with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The temperature typically ranges from 24°F to 85°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 11°F or exceeding 93°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The warm season lasts from late May to mid-September, with average daily high temperatures above 76°F. July is the hottest month, with an average high of 84°F and a low of 67°F.
The cold season extends from early December to early March, with average daily high temperatures below 48°F. January is the coldest month, with an average low of 26°F and a high of 39°F (as reported by Weather Spark). Average annual rainfall in Downingtown is approximately 48 inches, with about 24 inches of snowfall annually (as reported by National Weather Service).
Education and Schools
School Ratings
The Downingtown Area School District receives high ratings. It holds an overall grade of A+ and is ranked #3 in Best School Districts in Chester County (as reported by Niche). The district serves K-12 students, with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 (as reported by Niche).
Individual schools within the district also perform well. Downingtown High School East has a rating of 4.03 out of 5, and Downingtown High School West has a rating of 3.92 out of 5 (as reported by Niche). Downingtown STEM Academy has a particularly strong rating of 4.4 out of 5 (as reported by Niche).
Demographics
Population and Diversity
Downingtown has a population of approximately 8,255 residents (as of 2024) (as reported by Data USA). The borough is growing at a rate of about 1.31% annually (as reported by Point2Homes). The median age in Downingtown is 38.9 years (as reported by Data USA).
The racial composition of Downingtown includes a majority of White residents, followed by Asian and Black or African American populations. White (Non-Hispanic) residents make up approximately 63.73% of the population, with Asian residents at 15.3% and Black or African American residents at 13.01% (as reported by Downingtown, PA Demographics and Population Statistics). A notable portion of the residents, around 16.6%, were born outside of the country (as reported by Data USA).