Is Perkasie Safe, Pros and cons of living in Perkasie

Perkasie, a borough nestled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, offers a compelling blend of small-town charm and suburban convenience. Located approximately 35 miles north of Philadelphia, it provides residents with a peaceful atmosphere while maintaining accessibility to a larger metropolitan area. The community is known for its friendly demeanor and a strong sense of local pride, making it an attractive place for families and individuals alike.

The borough’s history is rooted in industrial development, with early establishments including silk mills, brickyards, and manufacturers of various goods. Today, Perkasie continues to evolve, balancing its historical character with modern amenities and a growing population. This dynamic contributes to a lively yet manageable community that many find appealing for its quality of life and overall environment.

Is it Safe to Live in Perkasie?

Perkasie is considered a very safe place to live, with crime rates significantly lower than both national and state averages. The overall crime rate is reported to be 67% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes). Violent crimes are particularly low, standing at 64.2% below the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

The chance of becoming a victim of crime in Perkasie is approximately 1 in 142, according to NeighborhoodScout. This low rate is supported by data indicating that violent crime is about average for communities of its size across America, while property crime rates are also generally lower than the national average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Residents often consider the northeast and southwest parts of the city to be the safest areas (as reported by CrimeGrade.org and CrimeGrade.org).

Violent Crime Statistics

Violent crimes in Perkasie are notably infrequent. There were 12 violent crimes reported in a typical year, translating to a rate of 129 per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes). This rate is substantially lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

The violent crime rate is 1.287 per 1,000 residents in a typical year, earning Perkasie an A+ grade for violent crime, indicating it is much lower than the average U.S. city (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). This safety is further emphasized by the fact that Perkasie ranks in the 95th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 95% of cities in the United States (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The cost of violent crime per resident is estimated at $109 annually, which is less than both the national and state averages (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Property Crime Statistics

Property crimes also follow a downward trend in Perkasie, contributing to the borough’s overall safety. There were 54 property crimes recorded, amounting to 579 per 100,000 people, which is significantly lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This places Perkasie in a favorable position regarding property crime rates compared to other municipalities.

The overall crime rate in Perkasie is 708, which is considerably lower than the national average of 2,119 per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes). Year over year, crime in Perkasie has decreased by 24% (as reported by AreaVibes). This consistent reduction in crime further solidifies Perkasie’s reputation as a secure community for its residents.

Cost of Living in Perkasie

Perkasie’s cost of living is generally considered to be higher than the national average, though it offers more affordability when compared to major metropolitan areas like New York City. The overall cost of living in Perkasie is approximately 8% higher than the national average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). This is largely influenced by housing expenses, which are higher than the national average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).

However, when compared to other cities, Perkasie presents a more balanced cost of living. For instance, it is about 35% cheaper than New York City, largely due to differences in transportation costs (as reported by CityCost). Food expenses in Perkasie are also noted to be lower than the U.S. average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).

Housing Costs

Housing is a significant factor in Perkasie’s cost of living, with median home values and rental prices reflecting this trend. The median home value in Perkasie was $372,100 in 2024, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA). The median listing home price was $499,900 as of recent reports (as reported by Realtor.com®).

Rental costs also vary, with the median gross rent reported at $1,204 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). Other sources indicate an average rent of $1,750, which is 12.5% lower than the national average (as reported by Zillow). Apartment rents can range from approximately $1,150 for a studio to $1,695 for a two-bedroom unit (as reported by Rent.).

Income and Affordability

Perkasie’s median household income is robust, contributing to the affordability of living in the area despite higher housing costs. The median household income was reported as $93,845 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes). This figure is generally higher than the national average, indicating a financially stable population (as reported by Kurby AI).

The unemployment rate in Perkasie stands at 3.8%, which is considered typical and suggests a healthy job market (as reported by Point2Homes). The average annual household income was $121,284 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes), further supporting the community’s economic stability. Perkasie’s cost of living index is 15% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale).

Job Market and Major Employers

The job market in Perkasie is characterized by a diverse range of employment sectors, with a strong presence in healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. From 2023 to 2024, employment in Perkasie grew at a rate of 2.79%, indicating a growing job market (as reported by Data USA). The most common employment sectors for residents include Health Care & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Manufacturing (as reported by Data USA).

Key job groups held by residents are Sales & Related Occupations, Management Occupations, and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (as reported by Data USA). The borough also sees a significant portion of its workforce employed in professional or administrative positions, with a smaller percentage in hands-on or service-based jobs (as reported by Point2Homes). Approximately 8.2% of residents work in the public sector (as reported by Point2Homes).

Unemployment Rate

Perkasie maintains a healthy unemployment rate, reflecting a stable economic environment for its residents. The unemployment rate in Perkasie is 3.8% (as reported by Point2Homes). This rate is considered within the typical range for the area and suggests that the majority of the workforce is employed.

Other sources indicate an unemployment rate of 2.9% among residents aged 16 and older who are in the labor force (as reported by Perkasie, PA Population History). This figure is calculated among residents aged 16 or older who are in the labor force (as reported by Perkasie, PA Population History). A significant portion of the population, 70.3%, is in the labor force (as reported by Perkasie, PA Population History).

Climate in Perkasie

Perkasie experiences a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold, snowy winters. The temperature typically varies throughout the year, rarely dropping below 9°F or exceeding 93°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The warm season, lasting from late May to mid-September, brings average daily high temperatures above 75°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The coldest month is January, with average low temperatures around 23°F and highs around 38°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Conversely, July is the hottest month, with average highs of 84°F and lows of 65°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The borough experiences significant seasonal variations in both temperature and precipitation throughout the year.

Temperature and Precipitation

Summer in Perkasie is characterized by warm, humid, and wet conditions, while winter brings very cold temperatures and snowfall. The average annual precipitation is around 50 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). July is typically the wettest month, with an average rainfall of 3.8 inches (as reported by Wikipedia), often associated with thunderstorm activity.

The winter months can be quite cold, with average annual extreme minimum air temperatures around -1.1°F (as reported by Wikipedia). The average annual snowfall ranges between 30 to 36 inches, with February often being the snowiest month (as reported by Wikipedia). The drier season spans from late August to early April, with January experiencing the fewest days of precipitation (as reported by Wikipedia).

Education in Perkasie

Perkasie is served by the Pennridge School District, which is recognized for its commitment to providing quality education. The district is rated 3.8 out of 5 by Niche, based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and parent reviews (as reported by Niche). The district includes 11 schools, serving approximately 6,284 students from kindergarten through 12th grade (as reported by Niche).

Public schools in Perkasie demonstrate strong academic performance, with average math proficiency scores of 48% and reading proficiency scores of 62%, both exceeding the Pennsylvania state averages (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The schools in Perkasie have an average ranking of 7/10, placing them in the top 50% of Pennsylvania public schools (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

School Performance and Ratings

Several schools within the Pennridge School District serving Perkasie have received high ratings and recognition for their academic achievements. Deibler Elementary School, Bedminster Elementary School, and Seylar Elementary School are among the top-ranked public schools in the area (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Bedminster Elementary School, in particular, ranks among the top 20% of Pennsylvania elementary schools with a 5-star rating (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Pennridge High School is noted for ranking in the top 25% of Pennsylvania high schools and maintaining a 4-star rating (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Pennridge North Middle School also performs well, ranking among the top 10% of Pennsylvania middle schools (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). These strong performances highlight the educational opportunities available within the Perkasie community.

Demographics of Perkasie

Perkasie is a diverse community with a population of approximately 9,216 residents, as of the most recent data (as reported by Point2Homes). The median age in Perkasie is 37.6 years, with a balanced distribution across different age groups (as reported by Point2Homes). The population consists of roughly 51.7% males and 48.3% females (as reported by Point2Homes).

The racial makeup of Perkasie is predominantly White, with 91.2% of locals identifying as Caucasian (as reported by Point2Homes). Other racial groups include African American (2.5%) and residents of two or more races (4.3%) (as reported by Point2Homes). A significant majority, 96.6%, of the population are U.S.-born citizens (as reported by Point2Homes).

Population and Age Distribution

The population of Perkasie has seen steady growth, with a projected population of 9,437 in 2026 (as reported by Perkasie, PA Population 2026). The borough is currently growing at an annual rate of 0.53% (as reported by Perkasie, PA Population 2026). The age distribution shows approximately 14.7% of the population are children under 15, and about 14.3% are 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes).

Adults between 25 and 44 constitute 26.6% of the population, while those aged 45 to 64 make up 27.6% (as reported by Point2Homes). This demographic spread suggests a community with a mix of young families, working professionals, and a significant senior population. The median age of 37.6 years reflects a population that is neither excessively young nor old (as reported by Perkasie, PA Population 2026).

Racial and Ethnic Composition

Perkasie’s demographic profile is largely characterized by its White population, but it also includes smaller percentages of other racial and ethnic groups. White residents comprise 91.2% of the population (as reported by Point2Homes), and a higher percentage, 91.15%, is noted in other demographic reports (as reported by Perkasie, PA Population 2026). Hispanic residents make up approximately 4.75% of the population (as reported by Data USA).

The Black or African American population is around 2.5% (as reported by Point2Homes), and residents identifying with two or more races account for 4.3% (as reported by Point2Homes). A small percentage of the population has Asian roots, at 0.1% (as reported by Point2Homes). The majority of residents, 98.8%, are U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA).