Philadelphia metropolitan area

The Philadelphia metropolitan area, also called the Delaware Valley or Greater Philadelphia, is a big area in the Northeastern United States around the city of Philadelphia. Philadelphia is the sixth-most populous city in the United States. The area reaches into four states: southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, northern Delaware, and the northern Eastern Shore of Maryland. It is the ninth-largest metropolitan area in the country.

Many important cities are part of this area, such as Reading, Upper Darby Township, Atlantic City, Cherry Hill, Wilmington, and Dover. The area has a strong economy, with a gross domestic product over US$557 billion, making it the 11th-largest metropolitan economy in the nation.

Philadelphia has played a big role in American history. It was the revolutionary capital during the colonial era, where leaders adopted the Declaration of Independence and formed the Continental Army. Later, it was the nation's first capital before Washington, D.C. was built. Today, the area is known for its top universities, including the University of Pennsylvania, one of the Ivy League schools. It is also a key place for biotechnology and has become a center for logistics in South Jersey. The region has its own special dialect, food, music, and is very passionate about its five professional sports teams.

Geography and population

See also: Geography of Pennsylvania, Geography of New Jersey, and Geography of Delaware

The Philadelphia metropolitan area is close to the Delaware River and its three main tributaries, the Schuylkill River, Lehigh River, and Brandywine Creek.

U.S. government agencies define areas with many people and strong economic links as metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). These are grouped into combined statistical areas (CSAs) based on travel patterns.

As of the 2020 U.S. census, the Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington metropolitan statistical area is the seventh-largest MSA in the nation with 6,245,051 people. The MSA includes parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

The Philadelphia–Reading–Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD combined statistical area had a population of 7,379,700 in 2020, making it the nation's ninth-largest combined statistical area. It includes the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington MSA and several smaller areas.

All of this area has a Humid Subtropical climate.

**Maryland** **Köppen Climate Types**

**Pennsylvania Köppen Climate Types**

**Delaware** **Köppen Climate Types**

**New Jersey Köppen Climate Types**

Subregions

The Philadelphia–Reading–Camden combined statistical area includes sixteen counties in four states. In Pennsylvania, the five counties are known as Southeastern Pennsylvania. Besides Philadelphia, important towns include Upper Darby Township and Bensalem Township. Berks County, home to Reading, sometimes is not counted as part of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

In New Jersey, seven counties are part of the area in South Jersey. Places like Atlantic City, Cape May County, New Jersey, and the Jersey Shore, including Margate City, Ventnor City, the Wildwoods, Northfield, and Sea Isle City, are popular spots for visitors. Other important towns are Cherry Hill and Camden, located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia.

In Delaware, two counties make up most of the state's land and people, with Wilmington being the biggest city. The part of Maryland included is in the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Many people in Greater Philadelphia were born in India, making it the largest foreign-born group in the area.

Largest municipalities

See also: List of municipalities in Delaware, List of municipalities in Maryland, List of municipalities in New Jersey, and List of municipalities in Pennsylvania

The following municipalities are all within the Philadelphia–Reading–Camden combined statistical area as of the 2020 census:

Climate

The Philadelphia metropolitan area experiences four distinct seasons with plenty of rain throughout the year. The climate is mostly humid subtropical, meaning it is warm and sticky in summer and cool in winter, with some areas having hotter summers and more cold winters.

Snow can change a lot from year to year. The area is home to two ski resorts: Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Longswamp Township, Berks County and Spring Mountain Adventures in central Montgomery County.

Economy

Further information: Economy of Philadelphia

The Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area has a large economy. In 2021, its total value of goods and services was $477.58 billion, making it the tenth-largest among all areas in the United States. This amount is similar to the total economy of entire countries like Belgium, Iran, and Thailand.

Philadelphia is also a top place for new business ideas and investments, thanks to its closeness to the New York metropolitan area and strong areas for money, science, and technology.

Delaware Regional Planning Commission

Main article: Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission helps plan for many counties in the Philadelphia area. It does not include the counties around Wilmington, but it does include Mercer County, New Jersey, which is part of another area near New York.

Colonial history

Further information: History of Philadelphia

Long ago, the land where Philadelphia is today belonged to the Susquehannock and Lenape people. Later, Dutch explorers arrived and named the area New Netherland. Then, Swedes, Finns, Dutch, and others settled there and called it New Sweden. Eventually, the English took control in 1664. The name "Delaware" honors a man named Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, who helped save a settlement in Virginia. In the 1700s, people from France called Huguenot also came to live along the Delaware River, leaving their mark in places like Hunterdon County, New Jersey and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Transportation

See also: Transportation in Philadelphia

Many people in the Philadelphia area use expressways, trains, and buses to get to jobs and travel around cities like Philadelphia, Camden, Wilmington, and the surrounding suburbs. There are no train connections to Reading, the second-largest city in the region.

Rail

Rapid transit

• SEPTA
  • B line connecting Fern Rock Transportation Center in North Philadelphia to Center City and NRG station in South Philadelphia
  • L line connecting 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby to Frankford Transportation Center in Near Northeast Philadelphia, passing through Center City
  • M line connecting 69th Street Transportation Center with Norristown Transportation Center in Norristown
• PATCO
  • PATCO Speedline connecting Philadelphia to Lindenwold, NJ in Camden County with connections to NJT's Atlantic City Line.

Light rail

• SEPTA
  • Subway–surface lines: Routes 10, 11, 13, 34, and 36, connecting West Philadelphia and Delaware County with 13th Street Station, running at street-level through Delaware County and West Philadelphia, and beneath Market Street in Center City
  • Route 15 along Girard Avenue from 63rd Street and Girard Avenue to Richmond and Westmoreland Streets
  • Media–Sharon Hill Line connecting Media (Route 101) and Sharon Hill (Route 102) in Delaware County with 69th Street Transportation Center
• NJ Transit
  • River Line connecting Camden, New Jersey to Trenton, New Jersey, running along the east bank of the Delaware River.

Commuter rail

• SEPTA Regional Rail
  • Airport Line connecting Central Philadelphia with Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia and Delaware Counties.
  • Wilmington/Newark Line connecting Philadelphia to the Wilmington, Delaware area (with limited weekday service to Newark, Delaware), via Chester City and Delaware County.
  • Warminster Line connecting Philadelphia with southeastern Montgomery County and Warminster in Bucks County.
  • West Trenton Line connecting Philadelphia north to the Trenton, New Jersey area, serving Montgomery and Bucks County, Pennsylvania, between Jenkintown and Yardley, Pennsylvania, with the final stop in Ewing, New Jersey.
  • Media/Wawa Line connecting Philadelphia to central Delaware County.
  • Paoli/Thorndale Line connecting Philadelphia with the affluent Main Line area and western Chester County near Coatesville.
  • Lansdale/Doylestown Line connecting Philadelphia with Lansdale in central Montgomery County and Doylestown in Bucks County.
  • Manayunk/Norristown Line connecting Philadelphia with Conshohocken and Norristown in Montgomery County.
  • Cynwyd Line connecting Philadelphia with Bala Cynwyd on the Philadelphia/Montgomery County line (limited weekday service)
  • Trenton Line connecting Philadelphia to Trenton, New Jersey, serving Bucks County.
  • Fox Chase Line connecting Central Philadelphia with the Fox Chase area in Philadelphia.
  • Chestnut Hill East Line and Chestnut Hill West Line connecting Central Philadelphia with the Chestnut Hill area of the city.
• NJ Transit
  • Atlantic City Line connecting Philadelphia to Atlantic City, New Jersey with connections to PATCO Speedline in Lindenwold, New Jersey.
• MARC Train
  • Penn Line connecting Perryville, Maryland to Baltimore and Washington D.C., and in the future will connect to SEPTA at Newark, DE.

Intercity rail

• Amtrak
  • Acela: high-speed rail connecting Washington, D.C., with Boston
  • Cardinal connecting Chicago with New York City
  • Carolinian connecting Charlotte, NC with New York City
  • Crescent connecting New Orleans and New York City
  • Keystone Service connecting Harrisburg, PA with New York City
  • Northeast Regional: inter-city regional rail service from Virginia to Boston
  • Palmetto connecting Savannah, GA with New York City
  • Pennsylvanian connecting Pittsburgh with New York City
  • Silver Meteor connecting Miami with New York City
  • Silver Star connecting Miami with New York City
  • Vermonter connecting Washington, D.C., with St. Albans, VT

Bus service

Transit buses

• SEPTA
• NJ Transit
• South Jersey Transportation Authority
• DART First State
• Krapf Transit
• Bucks County Transport
• Transportation Management Association of Chester County
• TMA Bucks
• Pottstown Area Rapid Transit
• Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority
• Cecil Transit
• Atlantic City casino bus routes by a number of private carriers

Intercity bus

• Amtrak Thruway
• BoltBus
• Greyhound Lines
• Klein Transportation
• Martz Trailways
• Megabus
• OurBus
• Peter Pan Bus Lines
• Trans-Bridge Lines

Major highways

Pennsylvania

• Penna Turnpike

• Penna Turnpike NE Extension

• I-76

• I-78

• I-95

• I-176

• I-276

• I-295

• I-476

• I-676

• US 1

• US 13

• US 22

• US 30

• US 202

• US 222

• US 322

• US 422

• PA 3

• PA 10

• PA 12

• PA 23

• PA 29

• PA 32

• PA 41

• PA 52

• PA 61

• PA 63

• PA 73

• PA 82

• PA 100

• PA 113

• PA 132

• PA 152

• PA 162

• PA 179

• PA 212

• PA 213

• PA 232

• PA 252

• PA 261

• PA 263

• PA 272

• PA 282

• PA 291

• PA 309

• PA 313

• PA 320

• PA 332

• PA 340

• PA 345

• PA 352

• PA 363

• PA 372

• PA 401

• PA 412

• PA 413

• PA 420

• PA 452

• PA 463

• PA 472

• PA 491

• PA 513

• PA 532

• PA 562

• PA 563

• PA 611

• PA 663

• PA 724

• PA 796

• PA 841

• PA 842

• PA 896

New Jersey

• A.C. Expressway

• G.S. Parkway

• N.J. Turnpike

• I-76

• I-95

• I-195

• I-295

• I-676

• US 9

• US 30

• US 40

• US 130

• US 206

• US 322

• Route 27

• Route 29

• Route 31

• Route 33

• Route 38

• Route 42

• Route 44

• Route 45

• Route 47

• Route 48

• Route 49

• Route 50

• Route 52

• Route 54

• Route 55

• Route 56

• Route 68

• Route 70

• Route 72

• Route 73

• Route 83

• Route 87

• Route 90

• Route 109

• Route 129

• Route 133

• Route 143

• Route 147

• Route 152

• Route 156

• Route 157

• Route 168

• Route 179

• Route 413

Delaware

• Delaware Turnpike

• I-95

• I-295

• I-495

• US 13

• US 40

• US 113

• US 202

• 
  US 301 Toll

• DE 1

• DE 2

• DE 3

• DE 4

• DE 7

• DE 9

• DE 37

• DE 41

• DE 48

• DE 52

• DE 58

• DE 62

• DE 71

• DE 72

• DE 82

• DE 92

• DE 100

• DE 141

• DE 202

• DE 261

• DE 273

• DE 279

• DE 299

• DE 491

• DE 896

Maryland

• I-95

• US 1

• US 40

• US 222

• US 301

• MD 7

• MD 213

• MD 222

• MD 267

• MD 272

• MD 273

• MD 274

• MD 275

• MD 276

• MD 277

• MD 279

• MD 281

• MD 282

• MD 284

• MD 285

• MD 286

• MD 310

• MD 316

• MD 342

• MD 537

• MD 545

• MD 781

• MD 824

• MD 896

Delaware River Bridges

• Riegelsville Bridge

• Upper Black Eddy–Milford Bridge

• Uhlerstown–Frenchtown Bridge

• Centre Bridge–Stockton Bridge

• New Hope–Lambertville Toll Bridge

• New Hope–Lambertville Bridge

• Washington Crossing Bridge

• Calhoun Street Bridge

• Scudder Falls Bridge

• Lower Trenton Bridge

• Trenton–Morrisville Toll Bridge

• Delaware River–Turnpike Toll Bridge

• Burlington–Bristol Bridge

• Tacony–Palmyra Bridge

• Betsy Ross Bridge

• Ben Franklin Bridge

• Walt Whitman Bridge

• Commodore Barry Bridge

• Delaware Memorial Bridge

Airports

Main article: List of airports in the Philadelphia metropolitan area

Major:

• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), located 15 miles southwest of Philadelphia, is the main international airport serving the emtropolitan area
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), while not in the Philadelphia Metro Area, is a major airport serving certain regions of the area, including Bucks and Montgomery counties in southeastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and New Jersey.

Secondary:

• Atlantic City International Airport (ACY)
• Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) (not in CSA)
• New Castle Airport (ILG)
• Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE)
• Reading Regional Airport (RDG)
• Trenton–Mercer Airport (TTN) (not in CSA)

Ferry

The Cape May–Lewes Ferry crosses the mouth of the Delaware Bay between Cape May County, New Jersey and Sussex County, Delaware; US 9 uses this ferry.

The RiverLink Ferry operates hourly ferry service over the Delaware River between the Camden Waterfront and Penn's Landing in Philadelphia. They also operate a special event service for concerts at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden.

Colleges and universities

The Philadelphia metropolitan area is home to many colleges and universities. Some well-known schools include Swarthmore College and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, which is often ranked as one of the best business schools in the world.

Here are some of the colleges and universities in the area:

Delaware

• Delaware College of Art and Design
• Delaware State University
• Goldey–Beacom College
• University of Delaware
• Wesley College
• Widener University School of Law
• Wilmington University

Maryland

• Cecil College

New Jersey

• Rider University
• Rowan University
• Rutgers School of Law–Camden
• Rutgers University (Camden)
• Stockton University
• The College of New Jersey

Pennsylvania

• Albright College
• Alvernia University
• Arcadia University
• Bryn Mawr College
• Cairn University
• Chestnut Hill College
• Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
• Curtis Institute of Music
• Delaware Valley University
• DeVry University
• Drexel University
• Eastern University
• Gwynedd-Mercy College
• Harcum College
• Haverford College
• Holy Family University
• Immaculata University
• Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
• La Salle University
• Lincoln University
• Manor College
• Moore College of Art and Design
• Neumann University
• Peirce College
• Penn State Abington
• Penn State Berks
• Penn State Brandywine
• Penn State Great Valley
• Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Point Park University
• Rosemont College
• Saint Joseph's University
• Swarthmore College
• Temple University
• Thomas Jefferson University
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of the Arts (Philadelphia)
• University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
• University of Valley Forge
• Ursinus College
• Valley Forge Military Academy and College
• Villanova University
• West Chester University
• Westminster Theological Seminary
• Widener University

Culture

Further information: Culture of Philadelphia, Cuisine of Philadelphia, and Philadelphia English

The Philadelphia area has many big shopping places, especially in the suburbs. Two of the largest malls are the King of Prussia mall in Pennsylvania, which is the biggest in the United States, and the Cherry Hill Mall in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, the first enclosed mall on the East Coast. The Christiana Mall in Delaware is also very popular because it has tax-free shopping and is close to a major highway. As cities grow, more natural areas like farms and woods are being turned into places to live and shop, but many people have worked hard to save some land.

People in the Philadelphia area often speak a special way of talking called Mid-Atlantic American English and Philadelphia English.

Sports teams

Further information: Sports in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia area is home to many professional sports teams, including:

• National Basketball Association (NBA)
  • Philadelphia 76ers
• Major League Baseball (MLB)
  • Philadelphia Phillies
• Minor League Baseball (MiLB)
  • Jersey Shore BlueClaws
  • Reading Fightin Phils
  • Wilmington Blue Rocks
• National Football League (NFL)
  • Philadelphia Eagles
• National Hockey League (NHL)
  • Philadelphia Flyers
• Major League Soccer (MLS)
  • Philadelphia Union
• NBA G League
  • Delaware Blue Coats
• National Lacrosse League (NLL)
  • Philadelphia Wings

Media

Main article: Media in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia area is part of a big media market, sharing news and entertainment with nearby places like the Lehigh Valley. The main newspapers are The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News. Local TV channels include KYW-TV 3 (CBS), WPVI 6 (ABC), WCAU 10 (NBC), WHYY-TV 12 (PBS), WPHL-TV 17 (MyNetworkTV), WTXF 29 (FOX), WPSG 57 (CW), and WPPX 61 (Ion). Popular radio stations include WRTI, WIOQ, WDAS (AM), and WTEL.

Area codes

The Philadelphia metropolitan area uses several area codes for different parts of the region. 215/267/445 cover the city of Philadelphia and some northern suburbs. 610/484/835 are used in southeastern Pennsylvania outside Philadelphia, including western suburbs, the Lehigh Valley, and most of Berks County.

609/640 serve central and southeastern New Jersey, including Trenton, Atlantic City, and the southern Jersey Shore. 410/443/667 cover the eastern half of Maryland, including Cecil County, and 717/223 are used in south central Pennsylvania, including western Berks County.

Politics

See also: Politics of Pennsylvania

The city of Philadelphia has always supported one political group in big elections. The areas around the city are very important in Pennsylvania’s politics. Some nearby places in New Jersey often choose the same political group, though they sometimes support others in smaller elections. In Delaware, one county leans toward this group, helping the whole state often pick the same choice. In Maryland, one county usually picks the other side.

The Philadelphia area has produced many well-known political leaders, including a former U.S. President and current governors.

2000 Presidential Election by Municipality

2004 Presidential Election by Municipality

2008 Presidential Election by Municipality

2012 Presidential Election by Municipality

2016 Presidential Election by Municipality

2020 Presidential Election by Municipality

2024 Presidential Election by Municipality

Congressional districts

The following congressional districts of the United States House of Representatives are located partly or entirely in the Philadelphia combined statistical area. Italicized counties are not part of the CSA.

Additionally, the Philadelphia metro area is represented in the United States Senate by the eight Senators from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.