Audubon is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lower Providence Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It was named for naturalist John James Audubon, who lived there as a young man. The population was 8,433 at the 2010 census.
Geography
Audubon is located in the southwest section of Lower Providence Township, opposite Valley Forge National Historic Park, and includes "The Peninsula" formed by the Schuylkill River and Perkiomen Creek. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which , or 0.44%, is water.
Demographics
As of the 2010 census, the CDP was 78.1% White, 5.2% Black or African American, 13.4% Asian, 0.7% were Some Other Race, and 1.2% were two or more races. 2.3% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,549 people, 2,379 households, and 1,750 families residing in the CDP. The population density was . There were 2,457 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.86% White, 4.35% African American, 0.05% Native American, 6.03% Asian, 1.28% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.03% of the population.
There were 2,379 households, out of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 20.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 28.4% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $70,527, and the median income for a family was $80,178. Males had a median income of $51,852 versus $35,965 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $28,144. About 3.1% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
History
The villages that have comprised Lower Providence Township since the early eighteenth century include Evansburg, Shannonville (now called Audubon), Eagleville, and Providence Square.
Lower Providence Township is currently bounded on the west by Upper Providence Township, on the northeast by Perkiomen and Worcester townships, on the southeast by West Norriton Township, and on the south by the Schuylkill River. The area of the township is . Red shale predominates in the soils of this part of Montgomery County. Many years ago, lead mines were worked near Perkiomen Creek at Oaks, Pennsylvania, but did not generate profits. The mines were opened in 1800 and were being operated in 1818 by a Mr. Wetherell. The discovery of copper followed that of lead, and in January, 1848, the Perkiomen Mining Association was formed. Its land cost about $10,000; much costly machinery was placed in position and a shaft was dug. Many thousands of tons of copper were unearthed over the years until deposits were exhausted.
Shannonville was named after a large, influential family in 1823, when a post office was established there. Jack's tavern—the old Bud's Bar—was opened here as well. Mr. Shannon was a prosperous pig farmer and hence the town gained the nickname "Hogtown".
Present-day Audubon was christened in 1899 in honor of early-19th century resident John James Audubon, who resided at Mill Grove, located at the intersection of Audubon and Pawlings Roads.
Local landmarks
Audubon lies on the north side of the Schuylkill River across from Valley Forge National Historical Park, and is situated about away from King of Prussia, one of the largest malls in the United States. Local landmarks include: