Nestled in southeastern Pennsylvania, Doylestown is hailed as "a township with a sense of place." Doylestown boasts quaint sidewalk cafes, unique shops and numerous restaurants featuring the best flavors of the region. With brick-paved streets, historic architecture and Victorian-style street lamps, the borough maintains a unique environment that can't be found in most other towns in the region. Doylestown has 8,300 residents who enjoy the simple lifestyle and friendly neighbors generally associated with living here. Look for Doylestown apartments for rent, and find a charming community in Pennsylvania.
The first inhabitants of the area were the Lenni Lenape tribe of the Delaware Indians. For centuries, the land has been regarded as some of the most beautiful countryside in the United States. In 1682, the King of England granted Bucks County to William Penn. Doylestown was founded soon after and named to honor the innkeeper William Doyle, who ran Doyle's Tavern in 1745. Around that time, only a handful of families lived in log houses in the quiet country town. However, due to its geographic location, Bucks County became an important crossroads of the American Revolution. George Washington's army passed through Doylestown during the Occupation of Philadelphia in 1777. After a year of fighting and turmoil, Doylestown remained faithful to the Union. Several tracts were laid down that divided the area into different neighborhoods.
In 1869, the city began to grow with new conveniences and methods of transportation. The invention of the automobile forced local residents to embrace the modern world and connect with the surrounding region. After World War II, the Doylestown business environment boomed when the city received its first shopping mall. The Bucks County Redevelopment Authority was created to maintain the integrity of small local businesses. Today, Doylestown is a vibrant town with a bustling downtown business district.
Doylestown is home to Delaware Valley College, ranked by US News and World Report as the No. 20 best regional university in the north. With just under 2,000 students, Delaware Valley College maintains a tight-knit student body that fosters a sense of community on campus. The school features undergraduate, graduate and continuing education tracks across a wide range of interesting majors, including dairy science, turf management, zoology, floriculture and nursery production, hydroponics crop science and large animal science. With more than 500 acres of living laboratories to accompany these majors and others, Delaware Valley College offers students a hands-on experience that is unique amongst most universities in the United States.
For those seeking work, Doylestown has a thriving business environment. The largest industries here are the educational, health and social services sectors, which employ 22 percent of local residents. Scientific, administrative and waste management services comprise of another 15 percent, with an additional 11 percent working in the manufacturing sector. Most Doylestown residents hold professional titles, as 76 percent work in management, sales and office occupations. The borough also has a number of blue collar opportunities in the service industry that help support the needs of local residents, college students and visitors.
There are many perks to living in the Northeast, which unfortunately drive up rent prices in Doylestown. United States Census Bureau statistics indicate that the standard apartment here costs $1,116 a month, which is $380 more than the Pennsylvania state average. Despite the high cost of rent, everyday living expenses are still relatively affordable in Doylestown. The borough received a cost of living index of 108, which is slightly more than the United States average of 100.
Doylestown is home to many historical attractions that educate thousands of visitors each year. Fonthill, Mercer Museum, the Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine and Pearl S. Buck House are all located in town and are the perfect destinations for people of all ages. The James A. Michener Art Museum and old-school County Theater are also in town, allowing residents and visitors to explore the artistic side of Doylestown.
The Polish-American Family Festival & Country Fair takes place annually in Doylestown, featuring traditional food and drink, the Styka Art Exhibit and many Polish-themed crafts and demonstrations. Other local favorites include the Doylestown Arts Festival, the largest two-day festival in Bucks County; Delaware Valley College A-Day and the annual Tile Festival, held at Moravian Pottery and Tile Works.
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