$340,411Average Value$179Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
The "long swamp" of Berks County
The Longswamp Township in northern Berks County was first settled in 1754, named "long swamp" by the inhabitants because of the stretch of marshy land around Toad Creek. Most people lived at the area's highest point, dubbed "Top Town." Today, Longswamp is a primarily agricultural community, and Top Town has become the quaint borough of Topton. While there are local shops and restaurants in Topton, Longswamp is a primarily rural area, and residents should be prepared to make the 20-mile drive to either Reading or Allentown for big-city amenities like major employers, hospitals and airports.
Houses from throughout the century
Along the streets of Topton, homes built at the turn of the nineteenth century go for around $200,000. Styles are mainly American Foursquare, with Victorian and Colonial influences. Some homes are packed in tight rows, others are more spacious, but all sit on gridded sidewalk-lined streets. Surrounding the older heart of the town, contemporary homes with quarter-acre lots cost around $300,000. In the rest of the rural Longswamp Township, ranch-style homes with quarter-acre lots start at $200,000, and Colonial-inspired homes with several acres go for $400,000. Properties out here are separated from their neighbors by stretches of farmland and forest and are often set back from main roads for privacy. The Mountain Village Community in the south of the township also offers mobile-home living ranging from $50,000 to just over $100,000.
Brick Colonial Revivals are classy and desired in Longswamp neighborhoods like Topton.
Large front porches with colorful foliage and clean landscaping are welcoming in Longswamp.
B-levles with two-car garages have spacious land and safe neighborhoods in Longswamp.
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Swampy spirit
"Longswamp's got some unique character," says Heather Wicke, the director of Topton's public library. "The biggest event is Swampfest, which includes a mushball tournament, fireworks and of course the swamp thing costume contest — people get really into it." Mushball is a version of softball where a 16-inch ball slowly gets more deflated, or mushy, throughout the game. In town, the Topton Community Outreach Club plans events all year round, but they are best known for their annual Halloween Parade, which offers prizes for the best float. People put out blankets and chairs early to reserve their spots along the route. The Club also supports golf tournaments and fishing derbies. Residents can also head to the Brandywine Community Library for weekly community crafting and book clubs. "We've got our own unique character, too," Wicke says. "Our mascot is Sheldon the turtle; we throw him a birthday party each year." Kids enjoy reading with Sheldon, a real live turtle, and the library has a teen program that offers field trips to places like Washington, DC.
Walkable schools with steps for success
The area is served by the Brandywine Heights Area School District, which has three schools. All are located within Topton, making them walkable for those living in town. Brandywine Heights Elementary School and Brandywine Heights Intermediate School both receive a B-plus rating from Niche. Brandywine Heights High School is rated C-plus and has a pre-engineering program designed to prepare students for classes at the college level. The high school also offers dual enrollment with several local colleges and a career pathways program with the Berks Career and Technical Center.
Brandywine Heights High School provides education in the neighborhood of Longswamp.
Children in Longswamp will attend District-Topton Elementary School with a B+ on Niche.com.
Brandywine Intermediate School serves grades 4-8 with a B+ rating on Niche.com.
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Fishing and outdoor fun
The Topton Community Park offers big and little kids playgrounds, a basketball court that the teens enjoy and public restrooms for those who choose to stay a while. Locals are also proud of the Topton Mini Museum, a collection of town history, which boasts a Moon Tree — a tree grown from seeds that have been to outer space. Longswamp Community Park also offers sports courts and a playground and is a popular spot to go sledding in the winter. For those who enjoy fishing, Hunsicker's Grove, an old stone quarry filled with water, is seasonally stocked with fish. At the edge of the township, Bear Creek Ski and Recreation Area offers white slopes in the winter and hiking trails when it gets warmer.
Take family and friends to the playground at Topton Community Park for a thrill with kids.
Hunsicker's Grove has a stocked pond popular for local fishermen in Longswamp.
Longswamp Community Park has a beautiful baseball fields and a street hockey rink.
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Local restaurants and nearby attractions
For most shopping and dining, residents of Longswamp head into Topton. Herman's Drive-In is only open in the summer and is known for its milkshakes served in a retro diner. Jak's Downtown Diner has been the go-to place for breakfast for many locals over the past 20 years. And Tony's Italian Restaurant and Pizzaria is a favorite for more than just pizza — locals also enjoy the sandwiches and fries. For groceries, Radcliff Bros is right outside Topton and has a selection of fresh produce and name-brand essentials. Kutztown, 6 miles north of Topton, has a selection of small boutiques and a Giant grocery store. And Reading and Allentown, both 20 miles away, have shopping malls and big box stores.
Longswamp natives head to Radcliffe Bros Inc for all grocery needs.
Topton residents head to the popular Jake's Downtown Diner for a breakfast meal with friends.
Sunny side up with multi grain toast is a favorite at The Market Cafe in Longswamp.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Melanie Hughes,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
William Delong Park Bowers
Mountain Village Park
Longswamp Community Park
Topton Community Park
bowers park
Hunsicker's Grove
Transit
Airport
Lehigh Valley International
35 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Longswamp
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Longswamp, Mertztown sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Longswamp, Mertztown over the last 12 months is $321,727, up 4% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 19 Woodland Lane, a well-maintained 2001 Castle Manufactured Home located in the Woodland Mobile Home Park in Mertztown, PA. This recently updated residence features 2 bedrooms, 1 full bathroom, and 728 square feet of living space, offering an affordable and comfortable lifestyle in the Brandywine Heights Area School District. Inside, you’ll find upgraded laminate flooring throughout,
Priced to sell! Great opportunity to invest into 9 acres of commercial land located along State Street Mertztown. The acreage has been subdivided off of two other parcels so the taxes haven't been updated yet and the listed tax amount was for all three parcels before it was subdivided. Additional 7.48 Industrial zoned acres are also separately available across the railroad tracks located along
Three houses on one lot! This property has so much to offer. The Main ranch home is four bedroom two bath, two car garage, full basement, paved drive, covered back porch. Beautiful stone fireplace surrounded by hardwood flooring in a large living and dining area. A Jack and Jill bathroom separate two of the bedrooms. Also a main hall bath. As you move into the kitchen, we find a pantry with
INVESTOR ALERT!This multi unit property includes a four bedroom two bath ranch home with two car detached garage in full basement. Two one bedroom, ranch style bungalows are also on the property with a inground pool between. The main house is occupied by the owner of the property and the two bungalows are currently rented. One at $800 a month and has been occupied by the same tenant for 11
Spacious 3 to 4 Bedroom, 1, ½ bath Home in Topton, Brandywine Schools. This home has over 1800 square feet consisting of a first-floor living room(s),(or bedroom), dining room, kitchen, laundry room/ office space area and ½ bath. The second floor includes 3 large bedrooms, and 1full bath. There is also a side porch and an enclosed rear porch off of the kitchen and plenty of storage space
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Melanie Hughes,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
7,867
Median Age
47
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
19.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.7%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$71,456
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$86,688
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
89.6%
College Graduates
18.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.5%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
45''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
20''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
5/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
6/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
