Some suburbs give you great schools. Some give you walkability. Some give you an easy train to the city. Swarthmore gives you all three — plus a genuine college-town charm you can't manufacture.
Tucked into Delaware County and built around one of the nation's most selective colleges, Swarthmore is a leafy, academic, wonderfully walkable borough where you can stroll to the train, the co-op, and dinner — all under a canopy of mature trees.
It's one of the most desirable small towns in the entire Philadelphia region. Here's your local guide to living in Swarthmore.
📍 Where Is Swarthmore?
Swarthmore is a small borough of roughly 6,000 residents in Delaware County, about 20 miles southwest of Center City Philadelphia.
Originally called Westdale — named for the famed painter Benjamin West — the town took on its current name when Quakers founded Swarthmore College in 1864, and the borough grew up around the campus as passenger rail turned it into a Philadelphia commuter suburb.
That academic heritage is woven right into the streets: many are named after major colleges and universities — Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Drexel. It's a town that wears its scholarly identity proudly.
Its location is excellent:
✔️ Under 20 miles to Center City via I-95 and I-476 (the Blue Route)
✔️ About 10 miles to Philadelphia International Airport
✔️ Roughly 18 miles to Wilmington, Delaware
✔️ Quick access to US-1 and the wider Delco/Main Line region
🚶 The Ville: A Truly Walkable Downtown
Here's what sets Swarthmore apart from most suburbs: you can genuinely live here without relying on your car.
The heart of town is the charming downtown known as "The Ville," where tree-lined streets and historic architecture make every errand feel like an experience:
✔️ The beloved Swarthmore Co-op grocery
✔️ Cafés, boutiques, and local restaurants like Aria Mediterranean, Broad Table Tavern, Luna's Mexican Grill, and Pastry Pants Bakery
✔️ An excellent public library
✔️ A seasonal farmers market in spring, summer, and fall
Because the Ville, the train station, and most neighborhoods are all within an easy walk, car-free (or car-light) living isn't just possible in Swarthmore — it's genuinely practical. That's a rarity in Delaware County.
🚆 The Commute: Walk to the Train
Swarthmore's SEPTA station is one of its biggest assets — and it's positioned perfectly.
The SEPTA Media/Wawa Regional Rail line stops right in Swarthmore, with the station sitting between the downtown and the college campus, walkable from virtually every neighborhood in the borough.
What that means for commuters:
✔️ A roughly 30-minute ride to Center City Philadelphia
✔️ A walkable station — no park-and-ride hassle
✔️ Easy highway backup via I-476, I-95, and US-1
Few suburbs in the region combine this kind of train access with genuine neighborhood character. In Swarthmore, you can leave the car at home and still get everywhere.
🎓 Elite Schools: Wallingford-Swarthmore
Schools are a massive driver of demand here — and for good reason.
Swarthmore is served by the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, consistently ranked among the very best in Delaware County and among the top districts in Pennsylvania.
The lineup:
✔️ Swarthmore-Rutledge School (SRS) — a top-rated elementary right in the borough
✔️ Strath Haven Middle School — strong, comprehensive programs
✔️ Strath Haven High School (in neighboring Wallingford) — regularly ranked among Pennsylvania's best public high schools, with an AP participation rate around 67% and national "outstanding high school" recognition
One note for families: while the district is unified, elementary assignments can vary between Swarthmore-Rutledge and Wallingford Elementary depending on where you live, so confirm the exact school assignment for any specific address.
Private options include George Crothers Memorial in town, with Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic School close by.
🌳 The College & the Scott Arboretum
Living next to Swarthmore College is a genuine lifestyle perk — not just a backdrop.
The campus doubles as the Scott Arboretum, meaning residents enjoy beautifully landscaped gardens, mature specimen trees, and walking paths woven right through town. It's a big reason Swarthmore feels so green and serene.
Beyond the gardens, the college brings:
✔️ Public lectures, performances, and cultural events
✔️ Athletic facilities and community programming
✔️ A steady, intellectual energy that gives the town its character
For buyers who value culture, green space, and a walkable intellectual community, few places compare.
🏘️ Homes & Architecture
Swarthmore is a paradise for lovers of distinctive, older homes.
The housing stock is characterful and well-preserved, including:
✔️ Victorians and grand old homes with wraparound porches and period detail
✔️ Craftsman, Tudor, and French Provincial styles on tree-lined streets
✔️ Classic center-hall colonials and stone homes
✔️ Apartments and smaller homes near the Ville and campus, popular with those wanting walkability
Architecture enthusiasts actively seek out Swarthmore, and the mature, canopied streets give the whole borough a timeless, established feel.
Because these homes vary so much in age, condition, and updates, a precise home valuation (link: /home-valuation)always beats a generic online estimate.
💰 The Swarthmore Market in 2026
Swarthmore is a premium, high-demand, low-inventory market — and it holds its value well.
What buyers should understand:
✔️ Owner-occupied homes carry a median value in the low-$600,000s (around $633,800 in a recent measure)
✔️ Inventory is genuinely limited — turnover is low because people rarely want to leave
✔️ Demand is strong and consistent, driven by schools, walkability, and the train
✔️ The borough is affluent, with a median household income roughly double the Pennsylvania average
Because so few homes trade in such a small borough, headline medians can swing. Rely on current, street-level comparables rather than broad averages.
⚖️ A Few Honest Considerations
Swarthmore is wonderful — but go in with clear eyes:
✔️ Limited inventory and premium prices mean you must be ready to move when the right home appears
✔️ Quiet nightlife — this is a calm college town; for bars and live music, locals often head to nearby Springfield or Folsom
✔️ College-town rhythm — expect some student rentals and campus activity, though it's generally very low-key
✔️ Car still helpful — walkability is excellent, but some errands beyond the Ville are easier with a car
None of these are dealbreakers — they're simply the character of the place.
🌟 Who Loves Living in Swarthmore?
✔️ Families targeting top Wallingford-Swarthmore schools
✔️ Commuters who want to walk to the train
✔️ Buyers craving genuine walkability in the suburbs
✔️ Lovers of historic architecture and mature, leafy streets
✔️ Academics, professionals, and anyone drawn to a cultured college-town vibe
✔️ Downsizers wanting a walkable, low-car lifestyle near the city
Final Thoughts
Swarthmore is that rare suburb that refuses to make you choose. Elite schools and walkability. A charming downtown and a 30-minute train to the city. Historic character and a green, arboretum-woven setting.
It's compact, competitive, and beloved — which is exactly why inventory is tight and homes hold their value.
If a walkable college town with top schools sounds like your kind of place, the smartest first step is a conversation with someone who knows this borough, these blocks, and this tight-knit market firsthand. 🏡
🏡 Your Next Move Starts Here.
Jim Arcidiacono, REALTOR®
Next Move Delaware Valley | KW Empower
Licensed in PA • DE • MD | Nationwide Referral Partner
🌐 www.delawarevalleyrealestate.com
