Philadelphia & Southeastern Pennsylvania
Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Borough
A rail borough in the Brandywine Valley
Downingtown is a borough in eastern Chester County on the Brandywine Creek, about 35 miles west of Philadelphia. It grew around the railroad and paper mills, and today offers a compact downtown, strong rail access and a location between West Chester, Exton and the Route 30 corridor.
History & Local Character
Settled in the early 1700s and incorporated in 1859, Downingtown was a papermaking and milling center. The Downingtown Industrial and Agricultural School and the paper mills shaped its early economy.
Housing & Real Estate
The borough has older twins, singles and rowhouses, with large subdivisions in surrounding townships. Prices are moderate for Chester County.
Restaurants & Shopping
Lancaster Avenue restaurants and breweries serve the borough, and Victory Brewing's original location helped establish its craft-beer reputation.
Schools & Education
Downingtown Area School District serves the borough and surrounding townships, including the STEM Academy.
Parks & Recreation
Kerr Park along the Brandywine, the Struble Trail and nearby Marsh Creek State Park provide recreation.
Transportation & Accessibility
SEPTA's Paoli/Thorndale line stops at Downingtown, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Route 30 cross the area.
Local Businesses
Small manufacturers, restaurants, auto services and professional offices operate along Lancaster Avenue and the older industrial blocks.
No businesses are listed in Downingtown yet. Add your business to be the first.
Nearby Attractions
- Struble Trail
- Kerr Park
- Marsh Creek State Park
- Victory Brewing
Advantages & Considerations
Advantages
- SEPTA regional rail station
- Moderate housing costs for Chester County
- Brandywine trail access
- Strong school district
Considerations
- Route 30 traffic congestion
- Limited downtown retail variety
- Older housing stock requires upkeep
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Downingtown have a train station?
Yes. Downingtown station is served by SEPTA's Paoli/Thorndale regional rail line.
What creek runs through Downingtown?
The Brandywine Creek runs through the borough and is followed by the Struble Trail.