Moving to Downingtown, PA: 2026 Living Guide

Downingtown is a small Chester County borough on the Brandywine Creek with a big-name school district, a train station with direct service to Philadelphia and Harrisburg, and the flagship brewpub of Victory Brewing Company. The borough itself covers 2.19 square miles and has 8,384 residents (2025 estimate), but the Downingtown mailing address and school district stretch across a much wider area of townships.

It suits commuters who want a train on the Keystone line, families drawn to the Downingtown Area School District, and people who like a small-town main street with Marsh Creek State Park and county trails a short drive away. Homes inside the borough cost more than the Pennsylvania average but less than in nearby West Chester or Exton, based on Census home-value figures.

Our Tri-State office is based right here in Downingtown, so our Downingtown movers are local in every sense. This guide covers the numbers, the neighborhoods and the practical details of moving in.

Planning a move to Downingtown? Call our Tri-State team at 410-499-8777 or get your price online.

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Where Is Downingtown, PA?

Downingtown sits in central Chester County, 33 miles west of Philadelphia according to Wikipedia. The borough was first named Downingtown in 1812 and incorporated on May 12, 1859. It covers 2.19 square miles of land, per the U.S. Census Bureau.

US 30 (the old Lincoln Highway) and US 322 run through town, with US 322 following Manor Avenue and Brandywine Avenue. PA 113 and PA 282 also start in the borough, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike passes just north of town. Downingtown station is served by both SEPTA Regional Rail’s Paoli/Thorndale Line and Amtrak’s Keystone Service, and SEPTA bus Route 135 also stops in town.

Destination	Driving distance
West Chester, PA	7.5 miles
King of Prussia Mall	19.7 miles
Valley Forge National Historical Park	19.4 miles
Wilmington, DE (downtown)	23.9 miles
Wilmington Airport (ILG)	29.8 miles
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)	31.6 miles
Lancaster, PA	34.5 miles
Philadelphia City Hall	37.0 miles
Harrisburg, PA	77.9 miles
Baltimore Inner Harbor	85.8 miles

Road distances were calculated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data. Traffic on US 30, US 202 and the Turnpike can stretch drive times at rush hour.

Downingtown Population & Demographics

The Census Bureau estimated Downingtown’s population at 8,384 as of July 1, 2025, up from 7,892 in the 2020 Census. The median age is 38.9, and about one in five residents (20.2%) is under 18, which fits the borough’s reputation as a family town. Nearly half of adults (49.2%) hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, well above the Pennsylvania rate of 35.2%. The median household income of $96,228 is also higher than the state’s $77,971.

Measure	Downingtown borough	Pennsylvania
Population (July 1, 2025 estimate)	8,384	13,059,432
Population (2020 Census)	7,892	–
Median age (ACS 2020–2024)	38.9	–
Persons under 18	20.2%	–
Persons 65 and over	13.2%	–
Median household income (2020–2024)	$96,228	$77,971
Per capita income (2020–2024)	$50,750	–
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	49.2%	35.2%
Owner-occupied housing rate	48.0%	–
Persons in poverty	5.6%	–
Mean travel time to work	24.7 minutes	–

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (2020–2024 American Community Survey and V2025 estimates); median age from Census Reporter (ACS 2024 5-year).

Is Downingtown Safe?

Violent crime is low in Downingtown. NeighborhoodScout’s analysis of 2024 FBI data puts the borough’s violent crime rate at 0.95 per 1,000 residents, compared with a national median of 4 per 1,000. Property crime is the bigger share of reported incidents, at 20.80 per 1,000 residents, slightly above the national median of 18. Because the borough is small, per-resident rates can swing noticeably from one year to the next.

The Downingtown Police Department posts incidents, alerts and a tip line on its CRIMEWATCH page. Check the blotter for the specific blocks you are considering.

Cost of Living in Downingtown

Downingtown is not cheap by Pennsylvania standards, but it is one of the more reachable price points in this part of Chester County, especially inside the borough itself.

Home Prices

Redfin reported a median sale price of $434,782 inside Downingtown for July 2026, down 11.3% from a year earlier. Only 24 homes sold that month, so the number moves around a lot. The same homes sold fast, in a median of 8 days, and Redfin rated the market 92 out of 100 on its Compete Score, “most competitive.”

The wider 19335 ZIP code, which includes many of the surrounding townships, had a median sale price of $589,745 in August 2026 (up 5.3% year over year) across 213 sales, with a median of 35 days on market. The Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 median value for owner-occupied homes in the borough was $353,800, compared with $485,600 for Chester County, $254,500 for Pennsylvania and $332,700 nationally.

Rent

Apartments.com listed Downingtown’s average rent at $1,842 a month as of July 2026, up 3.8% over the past year:

Studio: $1,515
One bedroom: $1,842
Two bedrooms: $2,097
Three bedrooms: $2,934 or more

The Census Bureau’s median gross rent for the borough was $1,518 for 2020–2024, higher than Pennsylvania’s $1,209 and the national $1,413, but below Chester County’s $1,763.

Put together, the numbers show why Downingtown draws so many buyers and renters: the borough’s Census median home value is $136,900 below West Chester borough’s, while household incomes ($96,228) sit well above the state figure. If you are weighing Downingtown against West Chester or Exton, compare the specific school district and commute along with the price.

Best Neighborhoods in Downingtown

Downtown Downingtown

The heart of the borough runs along Lancaster Avenue (Business US 30), where you will find older homes, twins, apartments over storefronts and several of the restaurants listed below. This area suits people who want to walk to dinner and do not need a big yard. Older homes here often mean steep stairs and on-street parking, which we plan around on moving day.

Near the Train Station

If you commute to Philadelphia, Harrisburg or points in between, living within walking distance of Downingtown station is a real perk. The station serves both SEPTA’s Paoli/Thorndale Line and Amtrak’s Keystone Service. Apartments and townhomes close to the station suit commuters, young professionals and anyone trying to cut down to one car.

The Surrounding Townships

Many “Downingtown” addresses are actually in the townships that ring the borough, and much of that area feeds into the Downingtown Area School District. This is where you will find larger single-family homes, newer subdivisions and more yard space, and it is where most families moving for the schools end up. Confirm your school assignment by address with the district, and read any HOA rules about moving trucks and storage containers before move-in day.

Weather & Climate in Downingtown

Downingtown has a humid continental climate with cold winters and warm, humid summers. The climate table on Wikipedia’s Downingtown page shows January averaging a high of 39°F and a low of 21°F, and July averaging a high of 85°F and a low of 64°F, with 45.8 inches of precipitation a year. Nearby West Chester averages 27.7 inches of snow a year, so winter moves need a backup plan.

For comfort, May and September through October are hard to beat. Summer is peak moving season in Chester County, so book two to four weeks ahead if you want a Friday or end-of-month date.

Things to Do in Downingtown

Kerr Park and the Downingtown Farmers Market

Kerr Park, at 60 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, hosts the Downingtown Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the 2026 season. Local vendors sell produce, crafts and prepared goods, and the market has also hosted free weekly fitness classes.

Struble Trail

This Chester County trail follows the east branch of the Brandywine Creek on the old Waynesburg rail line bed, with 2.6 miles currently open and a paved section. It makes an easy walk or bike ride, with a trailhead on Dorlan Mill Road.

Marsh Creek State Park

North of Downingtown in Upper Uwchlan and Wallace townships, Marsh Creek State Park covers 1,705 acres around the 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake. It has boating and fishing, about 12 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking, and a seasonal swimming pool open Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.

Springton Manor Farm

This 260.5-acre Chester County park in Wallace Township, south of Glenmoore, is run by the county as a park and agricultural history museum. Its historic barns and outbuildings date from the 1700s and 1800s, and it is a good outing for families with young kids.

Victory Brewing Company

Victory was founded in Downingtown in 1996 in an old Pepperidge Farm bakery, and its flagship brewpub is still here at 420 Acorn Lane. It is a restaurant too (see below), but for many locals it is a landmark in its own right.

Where to Eat in Downingtown

Victory Brewing Company Downingtown

The brewpub at 420 Acorn Lane pairs Victory’s beers, including Golden Monkey and Prima Pils, with a from-scratch food menu and outdoor seating. It is open seven days a week.

Anthony’s Cucina Fresca

At 78 W. Lancaster Avenue, Anthony’s is an Italian restaurant known for handmade pastas and sauces, run by owner and head chef Danilo Angelucci. It is open daily for lunch and dinner.

Station Taproom

Station Taproom, at 207 W. Lancaster Avenue, serves craft beer and comfort food, with shrimp and grits as a signature dish and brunch on Sundays. It opens at 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and at noon on Fridays and Saturdays.

Jobs & Economy

Downingtown is mainly a place people live and commute from. The mean travel time to work is 24.7 minutes. Victory Brewing’s flagship brewery and brewpub are in town, and the US 30 and US 202 corridors east of the borough are home to several major employers. Bentley Systems, the infrastructure-engineering software company, is headquartered in Exton and reported 5,800 employees in 2025. West Pharmaceutical Services, an S&P 500 maker of injectable drug packaging and delivery systems, is also based in Exton.

The train makes Philadelphia and Harrisburg jobs realistic too. Downingtown station has SEPTA Regional Rail service toward Paoli and Center City and Amtrak Keystone trains toward both Philadelphia and Harrisburg. In West Chester, 7.5 road miles south, the county government, West Chester University and Chester County Hospital are other major employers.

Schools in Downingtown

The Downingtown Area School District is a big reason people move here. It operates ten elementary schools, three middle schools and three high schools: Downingtown High School East, Downingtown High School West and the Downingtown STEM Academy.

The STEM Academy is a magnet high school that opened in fall 2011. It was the first International Baccalaureate World School in Chester County, and U.S. News & World Report gave it a bronze ranking in 2017. Admission and school assignments are set by the district, so check with DASD directly before choosing a home.

For college, West Chester University is 7.5 road miles away, and the train puts the Philadelphia universities within reach.

Downingtown Quick Facts

County	Chester County
Incorporated	May 12, 1859
ZIP codes	19335, 19372
Area codes	610, 484, 835
Land area (borough)	2.19 square miles
Population	8,384 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Main highways	US 30, US 322, PA 113, PA 282, Pennsylvania Turnpike
Train	Downingtown station: SEPTA Paoli/Thorndale Line and Amtrak Keystone Service
Nearest major airport	Philadelphia International (PHL), 31.6 road miles
Public schools	Downingtown Area School District

Moving to Downingtown: Tips From Our Crew

Check parking rules on Lancaster Avenue. In the downtown blocks, you may not have a driveway, and Lancaster Avenue is a busy main road. Call the borough office ahead of time to ask what is needed to hold curb space for a moving truck, and tell us exactly where your door is so we can pick the safest spot to park.
Read your HOA rules. Many townhome and single-family communities in the surrounding townships limit when trucks can park, how long a storage container can sit in a driveway, and when moves can happen. Get those rules in writing before you book, and share them with our Downingtown moving crew so the truck plan fits.
Time your drive around US 30 and US 202. If you are coming in from King of Prussia or West Chester, rush hour on US 202 and the US 30 Bypass can slow things down. Early starts help.
Measure older borough homes. Houses near downtown often have narrow staircases and small doorways. Measure the tightest points so we know ahead of time whether a sofa or bed frame needs to come apart.
Reserve the loading area at apartment communities. Many apartment complexes near the train station and along US 30 set move-in hours and ask movers for a certificate of insurance. Ask your leasing office for their rules and send them to us a few days ahead so the paperwork is ready.
Keep a winter backup date. With snow likely at least a few times a year, winter moves go best when walks are cleared and salted the night before and you have a second date in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Downingtown

How much does it cost to hire movers in Downingtown?

The price depends on how much you are moving, the number of stairs and how close the truck can park, the distance, and if you want packing or storage. A one-bedroom apartment on Lancaster Avenue and a four-bedroom house in a township subdivision are very different jobs. Call 410-499-8777 for a free quote. An owner calls you back within 15 minutes between 8am and 8pm.

Can I commute to Philadelphia from Downingtown by train?

Yes. Downingtown station is on SEPTA Regional Rail’s Paoli/Thorndale Line and Amtrak’s Keystone Service, which runs between Philadelphia and Harrisburg. That rail access is a big draw for commuters.

Is Downingtown a good place for families?

Many families choose Downingtown for the Downingtown Area School District, including the STEM Academy magnet high school. About 20.2% of borough residents are under 18, and parks like Kerr Park, the Struble Trail and Marsh Creek State Park are close by.

Is Downingtown cheaper than West Chester?

Inside the borough, generally yes. The Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 median home value was $353,800 in Downingtown borough versus $490,700 in West Chester borough. Prices in the wider 19335 ZIP code run higher, with a Redfin median sale price of $589,745 in August 2026.

How far is Downingtown from Philadelphia?

Wikipedia puts Downingtown 33 miles west of Philadelphia, and it is 37 road miles to City Hall. Philadelphia International Airport is 31.6 road miles away. If you prefer not to drive, the SEPTA and Amtrak trains from Downingtown station go straight into the city.

Move to Downingtown With A & M Friendly Movers

Downingtown is home base for our Tri-State office, so a move here is a local move for us in every sense. A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015, and our crews are background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employees, never subcontractors. With our Owner’s Promise, you talk to an owner, not a call center; if anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day, and claims are resolved in 60–90 days. We handle local moves, packing and unpacking, storage and piano and safe moves. Visit our Downingtown movers page or call 410-499-8777. PA PUC A-8927313.