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Located in tranquil Southeastern Pennsylvania, Bucks County was founded by William Penn in 1682. As it was quite common at the time to name the new world after the old, the area reflects a shortening of the name Buckinghamshire, England, where the Penn family originally lived. The name Pennsylvania, in fact, means Penn's Woods. And perhaps no place in the state more accurately illustrates this moniker than Bucks County. With rolling green hills, old growth trees, and the largest park system in the state, Bucks County has received a number of accolades for its scenery and quality of life. Fodor's travel guide named the region to its list of "Dazzling Drives", while National Geographic profiled the area in a "Guide to Small Town Escapes". Yet another magazine named Bucks County a top art city destination, as well as one of "50 Fabulous Places to Raise a Family". And for its importance in U.S. history, as well as its beauty, the National Trust for Historic Preservation calls the town one of its Dozen Distinctive Destinations. Historic, indeed. This is the site where Washington famously crossed the Delaware in 1776. And where the Liberty Bell was hidden to avert the British plans to melt it down for ammunition.
Bucks County has also made substantial contributions to art in this country. In the prolific body of work attributed to this region and its residents, it is possible that every American has crossed paths with at lease one piece stemming from here. From Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" to the Pulitzer Prize winning novel "American Pastoral" by Philip Roth, Bucks County has a number of famous sons and daughters. Nobel-Prize winning author Pearl S. Buck, composer Oscar Hammerstein, and anthropologist Margaret Mead all lived in Bucks. Even small children will have a Bucks County connection, as it is home of the Berenstein's, creators of the Berenstein Bears children's books.
The approximately 600,000 residents here enjoy shopping, dining, and sightseeing. You'll find many of them outdoors in the parks, cruising along biking trails, attending festivals, shopping at farmers markets and visiting wineries. The median age here is 37, with an average household income of about $60,000. In this affordable housing market, over 3/4 of residents own their homes, with a median value of 162,000. Retail trade is currently the largest of twenty major sectors contributing to the county's economy. In the past decade, per capita income grew by over 25%. The county's Naval base is a significant part of the region, and is also where NASA astronauts partially trained for the Apollo missions.
For those looking for a weekend getaway, Bucks County is conveniently located between New York City and Philadelphia. Residents who tire of the scenic beauty in their own backyards can escape to one of the bustling cities, and return home to delight in the splendor of their own town. Bucks County has become a popular tourist destination in its own right, and residents will often hear the exclamation "You're so lucky to live here!" Encompassing over 300 years of history, 600 square miles, and many towns, villages, and neighborhoods in between, Bucks County, Pennsylvania boasts a robust and truly American way of life. If you're thinking of moving to Bucky County, our relocation packet is yours for the asking! |
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