Glenside is a census-designated place (CDP) located in Cheltenham Township and Abington Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It borders Northwest Philadelphia. The population was 7,737 at the 2020 census on a land area of 1.3 square miles. Glenside is most notable for its entertainment, including Keswick Theatre, restaurants, recreational facilities, and parks. Glenside station is one of the busiest in the SEPTA system. Glenside is located approximately eleven miles from Center City Philadelphia.

History

A railroad station called Tacony Station was erected in 1855, named for Tacony Creek, which flows through the settlement. It was later called Abington Station. Glenside Post Office opened in 1888, and the railroad station was renamed Glenside station. The Glenside Fire Company was established in 1900, and firefighting equipment was stored in a building until a firehouse was erected in 1907. Glenside had two public schools: Glenside students living in Abington Township attended The Weldon School, and students in Cheltenham Township attended Glenside School, built in 1908. Glenside School was demolished in the 1960s. In the early 1900s, Glenside had a "thriving business district" along Easton Road. A bank, Glenside Trust Company, opened in 1922.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Glenside has a total area of 1.3 sqmi, all land. Glenside is split into two townships: Abington Township, and Cheltenham Township. Cheltenham Township is the location of the United States Post Office, Glenside Library, and Glenside Memorial Hall.

Climate

Glenside has a typical Northeast climate. The following is a chart of the average temperatures in Glenside.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the CDP was 91.0% White, 5.3% Black or African American, 1.0% Asian, and 1.6% were two or more races. As of the 2010 census, the CDP was 85.4% White, 7.2% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.8% Asian, 1.0% were Some Other Race, and 1.7% were two or more races. 2.9% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry. As of the census of 2000, there were 7,914 people, 3,103 households, and 2,013 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 6,217.4 PD/sqmi. There were 3,181 housing units at an average density of 2,499.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.97% White, 6.66% African American, 0.10% Native American, 3.02% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population. There were 3,103 households, out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.21. In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males. The median income for a household in the CDP was $58,868, and the median income for a family was $74,025. Males had a median income of $48,378 versus $35,629 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $26,393. About 1.6% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Newgrounds, an entertainment website, is headquartered in Glenside.

Arts and culture

Independence Day Parade

The annual Independence Day parade held in Glenside was founded in 1904.

Points of interest

Parks and recreation

Education

Cheltenham Township School District operates one school in Glenside, Glenside Elementary. Abington School District operates one school in Glenside, Copper Beech Elementary. Saint Luke Catholic School in Glenside is a parochial school, part of St. Luke The Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, with approximately 315 students in 2019. Arcadia University is found in Glenside, as well as Westminster Theological Seminary, a Protestant theological seminary.

Media

Glenside is served by two weekly newspapers: Times Chronicle and Glenside News, both papers a division of Montgomery News.

Infrastructure

Transportation

SEPTA

Glenside is served by SEPTA Regional Railroad at the Glenside station, originally known as Abington Station, whose roots date back to the North Pennsylvania Railroad and the Reading Railroad. Glenside is also served by SEPTA buses.

Roads

Notable people