Is Jenkintown Safe, Pros and cons of living in Jenkintown

Jenkintown, a charming borough located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to the amenities of Philadelphia. This community, established in 1874, has undergone revitalization efforts to enhance its walkability, preserve its architectural character, and invigorate local commerce, transforming it into a desirable place to live. Its compact, one-square-mile footprint contributes to its intimate feel, while its location north of Philadelphia makes it an attractive option for those seeking a balance between town and city living.

The borough is known for its strong sense of community and its appeal to families, offering a high quality of life. Jenkintown boasts a well-regarded school district and a financially secure population, indicated by its median household income. The town’s revitalization master plan has further enhanced its appeal, focusing on creating a vibrant community with a mix of historic homes, boutique shops, and tree-lined streets.

Is it Safe to Live in Jenkintown?

Jenkintown is generally considered a safe place to live, with crime rates significantly lower than both state and national averages. The overall crime rate is 47% lower than the national average, and violent crimes are 64% lower than the national average (according to AreaVibes). This safety is supported by the presence of the Jenkintown Police Department and the Jenkintown Fire Department, which has a history spanning over 125 years.

When examining crime statistics, the chance of becoming a victim of any crime in Jenkintown is approximately 1 in 89. The property crime rate is 43.1% lower than the U.S. average. While crime rates are low overall, specific neighborhood safety can vary, with residents generally considering the northeast part of the city to be the safest.

Housing and Cost of Living

The cost of living in Jenkintown is higher than the national average, with housing expenses being a significant factor. Jenkintown’s overall cost of living is 17% higher than the national average (according to PayScale). Housing expenses, in particular, are 67% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale).

The median home value in Jenkintown was approximately $398,000 in 2024 (according to Data USA), and home prices have seen a notable increase of 15.4% between 2023 and 2024. The homeownership rate stands at 67.3%, which is slightly higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA).

For renters, the average rent in Jenkintown is around $1,582 per month for a one-bedroom apartment (as of May 2026, according to Apartments.com). This is 4% lower than the national average rent price. To comfortably afford the average rent, a monthly income of approximately $5,273 or $63,276 annually is recommended, following the guideline of spending no more than 30% of income on housing.

Job Market and Economy

Jenkintown’s economy is characterized by a highly educated workforce, with 97% of residents holding a high school degree or higher, and 71.8% possessing a bachelor’s degree or higher (as reported by Suburban Solutions). The borough’s workforce is predominantly white-collar, with 95.8% employed in professional or administrative positions (as detailed by Point2Homes).

The median household income in Jenkintown is substantial, reported at $110,703 in 2024 (according to Point2Homes), significantly higher than the Pennsylvania state average. The unemployment rate in Jenkintown was 6.7% (as reported by Point2Homes). Major employment sectors for Jenkintown residents include Health Care & Social Assistance, Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services, and Finance & Insurance (as indicated by Data USA).

While specific major employers are not detailed in all sources, the Jenkintown Borough’s comprehensive plan notes that the top ten employers account for about 20% of the total employed persons in the borough, with healthcare services forming the majority of these top employers (as per Jenkintown Borough’s Economic Development report). The projected job growth for Jenkintown is around 4.3% by 2045, which is less than the projection for Montgomery County as a whole, partly due to Jenkintown’s built-out status.

Climate and Weather

Jenkintown experiences a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, with average high temperatures reaching around 86°F in July, while winters are cold with average low temperatures around 25°F in January (as per WeatherWorld.com). The borough has an average annual snowfall of approximately 17.3 inches and an average annual rainfall of about 48 inches (as reported by Suburban Solutions).

The hot season typically lasts from late May to mid-September, with average daily high temperatures exceeding 77°F. The cold season spans from early December to early March, with average daily high temperatures below 49°F. Overall, Jenkintown enjoys a climate that offers comfortable conditions for much of the year, with pleasant spring and fall seasons.

Education and Demographics

Jenkintown is served by the Jenkintown School District, which includes Jenkintown Elementary School and Jenkintown Middle/High School. Jenkintown Elementary School is highly rated, ranking in the top 20% of Pennsylvania schools for overall test scores, with math and reading proficiency rates exceeding the state average (as reported by Jenkintown Elementary School’s profile). The district as a whole has received strong rankings from Niche, placing it among the best in Montgomery County and the state for its academic programs and teachers (according to MONTCO.Today).

The population of Jenkintown is approximately 4,727 residents, with a nearly even split between males and females (as per Point2Homes). The median age is around 42.6 years (as reported by World Population Review). The racial makeup of Jenkintown is predominantly White (around 81%), with significant Black or African American and smaller percentages of Asian and multiracial populations (as indicated by World Population Review).

Educational attainment is high, with 97% of residents holding a high school diploma or higher and 71.8% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher (as reported by Suburban Solutions). The foreign-born population is around 5.23% (as per Data USA), and 99% of residents are U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA).