Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Phoenixville is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the borough is situated at the junction of French Creek and the Schuylkill River. The population was 18,602 at the 2020 census.
For much of its history, Phoenixville was known for being home to the Phoenix Iron Works. Following the company's closure in the 1980s and the resulting economic downturn, the town has been noted in recent years for the economic revitalization that has since taken place.
History
The Phoenixville area was originally known as Manavon, after early-Chester County judge and politician David Lloyd bought a tract of land he named "Manavon" in 1713. The town was originally settled in 1732. In its early years, Manavon developed around a grist mill situated upon the banks of the French Creek. In 1790, the French Creek Nail Works opened as the first nail factory in the United States, and would become the economic center of the town for nearly the next two centuries, producing notable products such as the Griffen gun and the Phoenix column.During the early 19th century, Manavon saw an influx of Irish immigrants, mainly from County Donegal, who would construct a neighborhood on the banks of the Schuylkill River named "Sceilp Level". These immigrants would help in the construction of the Schuylkill Canal in 1827 and the Black Rock Tunnel in 1838, which gave the north side of the town the name "Tunnel Hill". On March 6, 1849, despite public opposition, Manavon was incorporated as a borough and was renamed "Phoenixville", officially separating from Schuylkill Township.
In the late 19th century and into the early 20th century, Phoenixville experienced the arrival of a second wave of immigrants, this time mainly Poles, Italians, Ukrainians, and Slovaks. By the early 20th century, other manufacturing and retail industries would arrive in Phoenixville, joining with the Phoenix Iron Company. One notable type of manufacturing in Phoenixville during this time was of the famous Etruscan majolica pottery.
After World War II, the Phoenix Iron Company began to fail, and by the mid-1980s, the company was no longer producing iron and steel. The company closed permanently in 1987. The closure of the long-time hub of the town's economy resulted in an economic downturn, but beginning in the early 21st century, a town revitalization plan was put into effect which resulted in the creation of new businesses such as breweries, restaurants, and other retail outlets. The accompanying growth in population gave rise to an increase in the construction of new housing such as townhomes and apartment buildings.
Much of this history was recognized in 1987 by the creation of the Phoenixville Historic District, the largest National Register of Historic Places site in Chester County. The Black Rock Bridge, Gay Street School, and Schuylkill Navigation Canal, Oakes Reach Section are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Etymology
Phoenixville is named after the Phoenix Iron Works, the major employer in the town until its closure in 1987. Originally founded in 1790 as the French Creek Nail Works, in 1813, German engineer Lewis Wernwag bought the Nail Works and renamed it the Phoenix Iron Works after he described seeing a resemblance to the mythical phoenix bird in the heat from the factory furnaces. When the borough was incorporated in 1849, it took the name of the iron works.Attractions
Phoenixville is home to the Colonial Theatre, which opened in 1903. The Colonial hosts events such as concerts and special movie showings year-round. The Colonial is celebrated for being the location of a scene in the 1958 science fiction horror film The Blob. Blobfest is celebrated every July in Phoenixville, during which attendees have the opportunity to reenact the scene from the film in which moviegoers flee the theatre in terror of the Blob loose inside. In 2017, a major expansion of the theatre incorporating the neighboring historic bank property was completed.The Phoenixville Dogwood Festival has been celebrated in Phoenixville each May since 1943. The tradition dates back to when former Army Major General Edward C. Shannon planted a dogwood tree in Reeves Park in Phoenixville as a memorial to honor those in the Armed Forces. Each year, the festival features amusement rides, food vendors, the Dogwood Parade, and the crowning of the Dogwood Queen.
Each December since 2004, Phoenixville has held the annual Firebird Festival, a celebration of the "rebirth" of the town with the burning of a large wooden phoenix bird. The bonfire at the festival is used to harden clay birds crafted over the preceding weeks. Firebird: Built to Burn, an award-winning documentary that follows a year in the life of Phoenixville and the Firebird Festival, was released on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+ in early 2025.
A Whole Lot of LuLu, a biannual vintage and handmade flea market, is held in Phoenixville.
Phoenixville is home to over 16 parks and nature trails, including Reeves Park, Reservoir Park, Veterans Park, Pasquale "Pat" Nattle Sr. Field, and Andre Thornton Park, named after the Major League Baseball player. The borough also provides access to regional nature destinations such as Black Rock Sanctuary and the Schuylkill River Trail. Phoenixville is also near Valley Forge National Historical Park and the Perkiomen Trail.
Economy
For much of its history, Phoenixville's economy was centered around the Phoenix Iron Works, as much of the town's population was employed by the company. After the company's closure in 1987, the town experienced an economic downturn, as many of the former steel workers were left without jobs. Beginning in the early 21st century, plans were made to revitalize the town. Although attempts were unsuccessful at first, by the early 2010s, new restaurants, shops, and apartment buildings were constructed, mainly in the downtown area.One result of Phoenixville's revitalization has been the arrival of several new craft breweries and distilleries. The presence of so many craft breweries has made Phoenixville a "destination-brewery location".
One impact of Phoenixville's economic revitalization has been an increase in the cost of living for residents, partially the result of increased demand for housing caused by the growth of local restaurants, breweries and boutiques in town. As a result of these issues, the Phoenixville Borough Council created the Phoenixville Affordable Housing Task Force in 2017, which then evolved into the Phoenixville Council on Affordable Housing in 2018.
In 2025, Phoenixville was ranked first on a list by Travel + Leisure magazine titled "10 Best Small Towns to Live in the U.S."
Geography
Phoenixville is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of, of which is land and is water.Phoenixville borders East Pikeland Township to the west, Schuylkill Township to the south and east, and Upper Providence Township to the north and east.
The Schuylkill River forms most of the northern and eastern borders of the borough. French Creek branches off from the Schuylkill on the eastern end of the borough and runs directly through the center of the borough. The creek is considered the dividing line between the north and south sides of the borough.
Climate
Phoenixville lies on the Dfa climate zone of the Köppen climate classification, immediately bordering upon the Cfa zone.Phoenixville is located in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b.
Annual precipitation averages, and annual snowfall averages.
Phoenixville is home to the highest recorded temperature in Pennsylvania history,, set on July 10, 1936.
Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 16,440 people, 7,590 households. There were 6,793 housing units at an average density of 1,892.6/sq mi.The racial makeup of the borough was 78.0% White, 8.6% African American, 0.2% American Indian, 3.5% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2.6% two or more races, and Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.4% of the population.
The borough's age demographics were 6.3% under the age of 5, 79.9% from 18 to 65, and 11.6% from 65 and older. The median age was 37.90 years, 52.6% are females, and 47.4% are males. The median income for a household in the borough was $56,704, and the median income for a family was $71,005.
Transportation
Roads and highways
As of 2019, there were of public roads in Phoenixville, of which were maintained by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and were maintained by the borough.File:PA 113 NB at Gay Street Bridge Phoenixville.jpeg|thumb|PA 113 crossing French Creek at the Gay Street Bridge
Phoenixville is served by three state highways: Pennsylvania Route 23, Pennsylvania Route 113, and Pennsylvania Route 29. PA 23 follows a northwest-to-southeast alignment through western and southern sections of the borough via Nutt Road. PA 23 heads northwest to Elverson and southeast to King of Prussia. PA 113 follows a southwest-to-northeast alignment through western and northern parts of the borough via Kimberton Road, Nutt Road, Bridge Street, Gay Street, Franklin Avenue, Emmett Street, Dayton Street, Freemont Street and Black Rock Road. PA 113 heads southwest to Downingtown, and northeast to Trappe. PA 23 and PA 113 share a short concurrency in the western portion of the borough on Nutt Road. Finally, PA 29 follows a southwest-to-northeast alignment through southern and eastern sections of the borough via Main Street, Manavon Street, Starr Street and Bridge Street. PA 29 heads southwest to Malvern, providing access to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and northeast to Collegeville, providing access to U.S. Route 422. Less than a mile northwest of the Phoenixville borough is the eastern terminus of Pennsylvania Route 724 at an intersection with PA 23. Although not within the borders of the borough, PA 724 provides a connection for the Phoenixville area to Pottstown.