Langhorne, Pennsylvania


Langhorne Borough is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,622 at the 2010 census.
The mailing address "Langhorne" is used for Langhorne Borough but it is also used broadly to describe the majority of surrounding Middletown Township, which for the most part uses Langhorne's ZIP code of 19047. Sesame Place, while physically located in surrounding Middletown Township, has Langhorne as its mailing address. Langhorne also includes the northeastern part of Lower Southampton Township, which uses the ZIP code 19053.
Langhorne Borough is approximately six miles west of the Delaware River.
Langhorne Manor is a separate borough that borders Langhorne Borough proper to the south.

History

Langhorne began in the 17th century when Jack Alexander built his house in the area. The road from Bristol grew into a very important transportation center between Trenton and Philadelphia in the later 18th century and 19th century. Langhorne eventually became the stagecoach transportation hub of Bucks County, transporting people between Trenton and Philadelphia and was then known as Four Lanes End, later known as Richardsons Corner.
The first mention of Attleborough was recorded on a deed in the Recorder's Office, Deed Book 6, page 210, 7 November 1737. Isaac Hicks laid out a plan for "Washington's Square in Attleborough" in November 1783. Historian William J. Buck wrote "A resident of the place has informed me that this name is of local origin; that a William Richardson Atlee, a lawyer and son-in-law of General Wayne, resided here about 1790 or perhaps a little earlier. A fire engine was ordered to be made, for which £50 had been raised. When it was finished, word was sent from Philadelphia inquiring what name they wanted it called. Someone suggested that, as Mr. Atlee had been one of the principal contributors, it should be called after him. When the engine arrived, it was found to have painted on its sides Atleebury, which still to be seen. Shortly afterwards a post office was established here, when it was called Attleborough, a slight change from the original." However, the post office was not established until 1 April 1806, Richard Croasdale, the first postmaster.
The village became known as Attleborough until 1876, when it was incorporated and named for Jeremiah Langhorne, an early resident of the area and former chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Upon the arrival of the railroad in 1876, residents of Attleborough and Hulmeville disputed over what the name of the station should be; the President of the North Pennsylvania Railroad, Franklin A. Comly, settled the matter by name the station Langhorne.
A school of higher learning was established in 1835 named successively Minerva Seminary, Attleborough High School, Attleboro Academy and Bellevue Institute. Samuel J. Randall of Philadelphia, member of the United States House of Representatives from 1875 to 1890 and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1876 to 1881, attended this educational institute.
In the late 19th century and early 20th century, Langhorne continued to grow as wealthy Philadelphians constructed large homes and businesses along Maple and Bellevue Avenues.
The Langhorne Historic District, former Langhorne Library, Joseph Richardson House, and Tomlinson-Huddleston House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Langhorne was the base of eGames, the publisher of the cult classic Speedy Eggbert.

Geography

Langhorne Borough is located at .
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of, all land.
The northern border of Langhorne follows the Neshaminy Creek.

Demographics

At the 2010 census, the borough was 86.4% White, 8.0% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.5% Asian, and 1.5% were two or more races. 2.3% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry .
At the 2000 census, there were 1,981 people, 552 households and 338 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,016.3 per square mile. There were 649 housing units at an average density of 1,315.8 per square mile.
There were 552 households, of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.07.
Age distribution was 26.2% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 117.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.1 males.
The median household income borough was $56,389, and the median family income was $75,429. Males had a median income of $48,125 versus $31,759 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $21,479. About 2.6% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Langhorne lies within the Neshaminy School District. Students living within borough boundaries attend Tawanka Elementary School for grades K-4, Maple Point Middle School for grades 5-8, and Neshaminy High School for grades 9-12.
Cairn University is located just south of Langhorne in Langhorne Manor.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Langhorne has a Hot-summer, Humid continental climate. Dfa climates are characterized by at least one month having an average mean temperature ≤, at least four months with an average mean temperature ≥, at least one month with an average mean temperature ≥ and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. Although most summer days are slightly humid in Langhorne, episodes of heat and high humidity can occur with heat index values >. Since 1981, the highest air temperature was on 07/22/2011, and the highest daily average mean dew point was on 08/13/2016. The average wettest month is July which corresponds with the annual peak in thunderstorm activity. Since 1981, the wettest calendar day was on 08/27/2011. During the winter months, the average annual extreme minimum air temperature is. Since 1981, the coldest air temperature was on 01/22/1984. Episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values <. The average annual snowfall is between and. Ice storms and large snowstorms depositing ≥ of snow occur once every few years, particularly during nor’easters from December through February.

Ecology

According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Langhorne would have a dominant vegetation type of Appalachian Oak with a dominant vegetation form of Eastern Hardwood Forest. The plant hardiness zone is 7a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of. The spring bloom typically begins by April 7 and fall color usually peaks by November 2.

Notable people