By the 1820, the population had grown dissatisfied with the name Flat Rock, but there was much contention over the choice of a replacement. It took until the end of the decade to settle on Manayunk.
That sort of careful consideration is still a hallmark of the district. The care taken by residents regarding their community is one reason why real estate values are high here. Another is the profusion of luxury homes along tree lined streets. Manayunk has been part of the city of Philadelphia since 1853 when the Pennsylvania Legislature passed the Consolidation Act. Manayunk still takes pride in organizing its own patch of real estate and remains a civic minded community.
Boundaries: North/South: Fountain Avenue/Ridge Avenue East/West: Pechin Street/Schuylkill River
School information: Area schools include the Cook-Wissahickon Elementary School and Roxborough High School.
Manayunk Development Corporation: http://www.manayunk.com/
Manayunk Neighborhood Council: http://www.manayunkcouncil.org/
Friends of the Manayunk Canal: http://www.manayunkcanal.org/
Manayunk Sport and Social Club: http://www.manayunksportandsocial.com/
Manayunk Roxborough Art Center: http://mrartcenter.org/
Percentage change from latest quarter vs same time period previous year
Data compiled using 3rd quarter 2019 data vs. same period from 2018
Population by Age Level. Median Age 33.05. Households: 3,848.
In Thousand of Dollars. (Median Income: $66,102)
Population by Education Level
Fair Market Rents
Originally, Manayunk was included in Roxborough Township. The property was purchased by William Penn in 1685. He transferred ownership to William Levering who later sold most of it to his son Jacob in 1716. James Levering built the first house in the district on Green Lane west of Silverwood Street.
By 1810, the growing community was known as Flat Rock after the unusual flat rock that lay near the bridge over the river. The bridge went by the same name as did the turnpike that crossed over it connecting Merion and Roxborough Townships.
The Schuykill Navigation Company built a dam, canal, and locks to aid transit in the early part of the 19th Century. The dam provided considerable water power that the company leased out to factories and mills. This helped transform the district into an important center for manufacturing.
Inhabitants of Manayunk were largely German, Polish, and Irish immigrants who worked in the many factories and mills. There was also a sizable African American population. Each immigrant group established its own branch of Catholic Churches. These are all now historic structures, and the area has several historic Protestant Churches as well.
