Swarthmore ZIP Code List — Delaware County, PA

There is one unique ZIP code in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania and it is 19081. Area code: 610/484.

ZIP codes

2.16

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

610/484

area code

Swarthmore, PA ZIP code map

About Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, is a quaint and picturesque borough located in Delaware County. Known for its charming residential neighborhoods and strong sense of community, it offers a unique blend of suburban comfort and accessibility to the greater Philadelphia area. The borough is also home to Swarthmore College, which adds to the town's vibrant academic and cultural life.

Location & geography

Swarthmore is situated approximately 11 miles southwest of downtown Philadelphia, making it an attractive location for those who work in the city but prefer a more tranquil living environment. The borough shares borders with several neighboring cities including Morton, just 2 miles to the east, and Springfield, approximately 3 miles to the northwest. Covering a total land area of 2.16 square miles and with no water bodies, Swarthmore features a primarily urban terrain.

Community & economy

The character of Swarthmore is defined by a close-knit community, where residents often engage in local events and initiatives. The economy is buoyed by its residential appeal, educational institutions, and some small local businesses that provide essential services. Daily life in Swarthmore combines the convenience of nearby amenities with the serenity of suburban living, allowing both families and young professionals to thrive.

Transportation

Public transportation options in Swarthmore include regional rail services that provide access to Philadelphia and its surrounding areas. The borough is accessible via major roads, including Pennsylvania Route 320. The nearest named airport is Philadelphia International Airport, located about 8 miles northeast of the town.

History

Swarthmore was founded in the late 19th century as a planned community, largely developed around Swarthmore College, which was established in 1864. Key industries historically included education, given the prominence of the college, as well as local commerce serving the needs of residents. Although it is a small borough, Swarthmore has hosted various notable events, including summer festivals that bring together residents and visitors alike.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Swarthmore is its commitment to environmental sustainability, being one of the first communities in Pennsylvania to adopt a Climate Action Plan. Additionally, the borough is home to the Swarthmore Friends Meeting, which is one of the oldest Quaker congregations in the United States.

ZIP codes for Swarthmore, PA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
19081	Swarthmore	Delaware	View map

Demographics & statistics

10,577

Population

36.9

Median age

$121,167

Median household income

$57,939

Per capita income

$312,600

Median home value

$1,404

Median monthly rent

84.4%

Home ownership

4.9%

Poverty rate

8.1%

Unemployment

3,292

Housing units

63.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

267

Under 5

289

203

5–9

219

340

10–14

369

580

15–19

629

464

20–24

503

607

25–34

658

35–44

713

440

45–54

477

311

55–59

336

344

60–64

373

408

65–74

441

304

75–84

329

151

85+

164

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,048	19.4%
18 and over	8,529	80.6%
65 and over	1,797	17.0%
Median age	36.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 83.1%

Two or more races 5.3%

Asian 4.8%

Black or African American 4.4%

Hispanic or Latino 1.4%

Other race 0.8%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	8,907	83.1%
Two or more races	569	5.3%
Asian	512	4.8%
Black or African American	477	4.4%
Hispanic or Latino	145	1.4%
Other race	82	0.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native	30	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 1.8%

$10k–$15k 4.0%

$15k–$25k 2.6%

$25k–$35k 4.3%

$35k–$50k 8.5%

$50k–$75k 13.0%

$75k–$100k 7.7%

$100k–$150k 20.6%

$150k–$200k 11.0%

$200k+ 26.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.8%
$10k–$15k	4.0%
$15k–$25k	2.6%
$25k–$35k	4.3%
$35k–$50k	8.5%
$50k–$75k	13.0%
$75k–$100k	7.7%
$100k–$150k	20.6%
$150k–$200k	11.0%
$200k+	26.5%
Median income	$121,167

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.3%

$50k–$100k 2.2%

$100k–$150k 10.3%

$150k–$200k 11.1%

$200k–$300k 23.6%

$300k–$500k 24.1%

$500k–$1M 25.6%

$1M+ 1.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$312,600
Median rent / month	$1,404
Owner occupied	84.4%
Renter occupied	15.6%
Vacant	4.1%
Single-family detached	50.5%
Large apartment buildings	14.4%
Mobile homes	0.4%
Median rooms	6.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.54

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	1.1%
2000–2009	0.9%
1990–1999	1.5%
1980–1989	0.5%
1970–1979	10.4%
1960–1969	15.9%
1950–1959	33.7%
1940–1949	3.1%
1939 or earlier	32.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.0%
1 bedroom	7.8%
2 bedrooms	21.3%
3 bedrooms	39.3%
4 bedrooms	19.3%
5+ bedrooms	9.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.1%
1 vehicle	37.0%
2 vehicles	44.7%
3 or more	14.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	73.6%
Electricity	12.7%
Propane / LP gas	0.4%
Fuel oil	12.3%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,019	54.4%
Cohabiting couple	264	7.1%
Male householder, no spouse	490	13.2%
Female householder, no spouse	939	25.3%
Households with children under 18	1,296	34.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,327	35.7%
Average household size	2.44

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	40.9%	38.5%
Married	49.8%	44.5%
Separated	1.6%	1.3%
Widowed	1.9%	7.7%
Divorced	5.7%	8.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.3%

Some HS, no diploma 0.7%

HS graduate 19.8%

Some college, no degree 9.3%

Associate's degree 5.9%

Bachelor's degree 27.7%

Graduate / professional 35.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	98.0%
Bachelor's or higher	63.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	140	3.9%
Kindergarten	84	2.3%
Elementary school	844	23.4%
High school	578	16.1%
College / grad school	1,955	54.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 31.6%

Professional & management 12.2%

Finance & real estate 10.9%

Retail trade 9.9%

Manufacturing 9.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.4%

Public administration 6.0%

Transportation & utilities 3.5%

Construction 3.2%

Other services 2.5%

Information 2.1%

Wholesale trade 1.1%

Agriculture & mining 0.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	57.0%
Service	11.6%
Sales & office	20.0%
Natural resources & construction	4.8%
Production & transportation	6.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	78.1%
Government	16.0%
Self-employed	5.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	64.4%
Carpool	4.4%
Public transit	6.6%
Walk	9.0%
Other means	1.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.0

Poverty

All people 4.9%

Under 18 years 5.9%

18 and over 4.6%

Married-couple families 4.0%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	35.6%
Retirement income	26.4%
Supplemental Security	3.9%
Cash public assistance	1.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	28.2%
High cholesterol	29.7%
Heart disease	5.2%
Stroke	2.2%
Asthma	9.0%
Arthritis	21.5%
Kidney disease	2.3%
Pulmonary disease	4.9%
Cancer	6.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.5%
No physical activity	17.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.6%
Fair or poor health	9.4%
Poor mental health	13.9%
Poor physical health	7.8%
No health insurance	7.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.0%
Visited dentist	74.5%
Cholesterol screening	89.8%
Teeth loss	8.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	358	4.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	9.1%
Under 18	3.1%
18–64 years	6.4%
65 and over	26.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	87.0%
Public insurance	26.8%
Uninsured under 19	1.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	10,021	94.7%
Spanish	205	2.0%
Other Indo-European	34	0.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	68	0.7%
Other languages	69	0.7%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	9,738	92.1%
Born in same state	9,585	90.6%
Born in different state	6,708	63.4%
Foreign born	153	1.4%
Naturalized citizen	839	7.9%
Not a US citizen	570	67.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	3,416	32.3%
French	1,035	9.8%
Arab	389	3.7%
English	128	1.2%
Norwegian	56	0.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	33	0.3%
Dutch	24	0.2%
Polish	19	0.2%
German	9	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	35.1%
Internet access	95.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Swarthmore, PA?

Swarthmore, PA has one ZIP code: 19081.

What is the main ZIP code for Swarthmore, PA?

The primary ZIP code for Swarthmore, PA is 19081. The city uses area code 610 or 484 for phone service.

What county is Swarthmore, PA in?

Swarthmore is located in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

How many ZIP codes are in Swarthmore, PA?

Swarthmore, PA has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code is Swarthmore College located in?

Swarthmore College, the prestigious liberal arts university in the heart of Swarthmore, PA, is located in ZIP code 19081.

What is the ZIP code for downtown Swarthmore and the Swarthmore train station?

The downtown Swarthmore area, including the SEPTA regional rail station on the Media Line, is served by ZIP code 19081.