Bucks County is a

county A county is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposesChambers Dictionary, L. Brookes (ed.), 2005, Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, Edinburgh in certain modern nations. The term is derived from the Old French ...

in the

Commonwealth A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has been synonymous with "republic". The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

. As of the 2020 census, the population was 646,538, making it the fourth-most populous county in Pennsylvania. Its

county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or civil parish. The term is in use in Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, Taiwan, and the United States. The equivalent term shire town is used in the US st ...

is Doylestown. The county is named after the

English county The counties of England are areas used for different purposes, which include administrative, geographical, cultural and political demarcation. The term "county" is defined in several ways and can apply to similar or the same areas used by each ...

Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire (), abbreviated Bucks, is a ceremonial county in South East England that borders Greater London to the south-east, Berkshire to the south, Oxfordshire to the west, Northamptonshire to the north, Bedfordshire to the north-ea ...

. Bucks County is part of the northern boundary of the

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

– Camden– Wilmington, PA– NJ– DE– MD

Metropolitan Statistical Area In the United States, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is a geographical region with a relatively high population density at its core and close economic ties throughout the area. Such regions are neither legally Incorporated town, incorporate ...

, more commonly known as the

Delaware Valley The Delaware Valley is a metropolitan region on the East Coast of the United States that comprises and surrounds Philadelphia, the sixth most populous city in the nation and 68th largest city in the world as of 2020. The toponym Delaware Val ...

. It is located immediately northeast of Philadelphia and forms part of the southern tip of the eastern state border with

New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...

History

Founding

Bucks County is one of the three original counties created by colonial proprietor

William Penn William Penn ( – ) was an English writer and religious thinker belonging to the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, a North American colony of England. He was an early advocate of democracy a ...

in 1682. Penn named the county after

, the county in which he lived in

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

. He built a country estate,

Pennsbury Manor Pennsbury Manor is the colonial estate of William Penn, founder and proprietor of the Colony of Pennsylvania, who lived there from 1699 to 1701. He left it and returned to England in 1701, where he died penniless in 1718. Following his departure ...

, in Falls Township, Bucks County. Some places in Bucks County were named after locations in Buckinghamshire, including Buckingham and Buckingham Township, named after the former

county town In the United Kingdom and Ireland, a county town is the most important town or city in a county. It is usually the location of administrative or judicial functions within a county and the place where the county's members of Parliament are elect ...

of Buckinghamshire; Chalfont, named after

Chalfont St Giles Chalfont St Giles is a village and civil parish in southeast Buckinghamshire, England. It is in a group of villages called The Chalfonts, which also includes Chalfont St Peter and Little Chalfont. It lies on the edge of the Chiltern Hills, ...

, the parish home of William Penn's first wife and the location of the Jordans Quaker Meeting House, where Penn is buried; Solebury Township, named after

Soulbury Soulbury is a village and also a civil parish within the unitary authority area of Buckinghamshire, England. It is located in the Aylesbury Vale, about seven miles south of Central Milton Keynes, and three miles north of Wing. The village nam ...

, England; and Wycombe, named after the town of

High Wycombe High Wycombe, often referred to as Wycombe ( ), is a market town in Buckinghamshire, England. Lying in the valley of the River Wye surrounded by the Chiltern Hills, it is west-northwest of Charing Cross in London, south-southeast of Ayl ...

. Bucks County was originally much larger than it is today. Northampton County was formed in 1752 from part of Bucks County, and Lehigh County was formed in 1812 from part of Northampton County.

American War of Independence

General

George Washington George Washington (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of th ...

and his troops camped in Bucks County as they prepared to cross the

Delaware River The Delaware River is a major river in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. From the meeting of its branches in Hancock (village), New York, Hancock, New York, the river flows for along the borders of N ...

to take

Trenton, New Jersey Trenton is the capital city of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. It was the capital of the United States from November 1 to December 24, 1784.Hessian A Hessian is an inhabitant of the German state of Hesse. Hessian may also refer to: Named from the toponym *Hessian (soldier), eighteenth-century German regiments in service with the British Empire **Hessian (boot), a style of boot **Hessian f ...

forces was a turning point in the

American War of Independence The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was a major war of the American Revolution. Widely considered as the war that secured the independence of t ...

. The town of

Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania Washington Crossing is an unincorporated village located in Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. Formerly known as "Taylorsville," it is most famous for George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River on the nigh ...

and

Washington Crossing Historic Park Washington Crossing Historic Park is a 500-acre (2 km2) state park operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in partnership with the Friends of Washington Crossing Park. The park is divided into two sectio ...

were named to commemorate the event.

Geography

According to the

U.S. Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...

, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (2.8%) is water. The southern third of the county between

and

Trenton, New Jersey Trenton is the capital city of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. It was the capital of the United States from November 1 to December 24, 1784.Atlantic Coastal Plain The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about . It covers approximately 20% of Earth#Surface, Earth's surface and about 29% of its water surface area. It is known to separate the "Old World" of Afr ...

, and is flat and near sea level, and the county's most populated and industrialized area. Bucks County shares a western border with Montgomery County, and also borders Philadelphia to the southwest, and

Northampton Northampton () is a market town and civil parish in the East Midlands of England, on the River Nene, north-west of London and south-east of Birmingham. The county town of Northamptonshire, Northampton is one of the largest towns in England; ...

and Lehigh Counties to the north. From north to south, it is linked to

Warren A warren is a network of wild rodent or lagomorph, typically rabbit burrows. Domestic warrens are artificial, enclosed establishment of animal husbandry dedicated to the raising of rabbits for meat and fur. The term evolved from the medieval A ...

, Hunterdon,

Mercer Mercer may refer to: Business * Mercer (car), a defunct American automobile manufacturer (1909–1925) * Mercer (consulting firm), a large human resources consulting firm headquartered in New York City * Mercer (occupation), a merchant or trader, ...

and

Burlington Burlington may refer to: Places Canada Geography * Burlington, Newfoundland and Labrador * Burlington, Nova Scotia * Burlington, Ontario, the most populous city with the name "Burlington" * Burlington, Prince Edward Island * Burlington Bay, no ...

Counties in

by bridges.

Tohickon Creek Tohickon Creek is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map accessed April 1, 2011 tributary of the Delaware River. Located entirely in Bucks County, in southeastern Pennsylvania, it r ...

and

Neshaminy Creek Neshaminy Creek is a United States Geological Survey. National Hydrography DatasetThe National Map accessed April 1, 2011 stream that runs entirely through Bucks County, Pennsylvania, rising south of the borough of Chalfont, where its north a ...

are the largest

tributaries A tributary, or affluent, is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or main stem (or parent) river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries and the main stem river drain the surrounding drainage b ...

of the

Delaware Delaware ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Maryland to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The state takes its name from the adjacent Del ...

in Bucks County. Tohickon Creek empties into the river at Point Pleasant and Neshaminy at

Croydon Croydon is a large town in south London, England, south of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Croydon, a local government district of Greater London. It is one of the largest commercial districts in Greater London, with an extensi ...

( Bristol Township).

Adjacent counties

* Lehigh County (northwest) * Northampton County (north) *

Warren County, New Jersey Warren County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the county's population was 109,632, representing an increase of 940 (0.9%) from the 108,692 residents counted at the 2010 census. The county borde ...

(northeast) *

Hunterdon County, New Jersey Hunterdon County is a county located in the western section of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the county's population was 128,947, making it the state's 18th-most populous county,Mercer County, New Jersey Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Its county seat is Trenton, also the state capital, but also directly borders the Philadelphia metropolitan area and is included within the Federal Communications Commission's ...

(east) *

Burlington County, New Jersey Burlington County is a county in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The county is the largest by area in New Jersey. Its county seat is Mount Holly.

(southeast) *

Philadelphia County Philadelphia County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the most populous county in Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, Philadelphia County had a population of 1,603,797. The county is the second smallest county in Pennsyl ...

(south) * Montgomery County (west)

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, there were 625,249 people. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...

was 1,034.7 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 86.6%

Non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic whites or Non-Latino whites are Americans who are classified as "white", and are not of Hispanic (also known as "Latino") heritage. The United States Census Bureau defines ''white'' to include European Americans, Middle Eastern Amer ...

, 3.9% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 4.1%

Asian Asian may refer to: * Items from or related to the continent of Asia: ** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia ** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia ** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...

(2.1% Indian, 1.1% Chinese, 0.7% Korean, 0.5% Filipino, 0.3% Vietnamese, 0.1% Japanese, 0.4% other Asian) 0.1%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe the original p ...

, 1.7% were of two or more races, and 1.5% were of

other races Other often refers to: * Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy Other or The Other may also refer to: Film and television * ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack * ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...

. 4.4% of the population were

Hispanic or Latino ''Hispanic'' and '' Latino'' are ethnonyms used to refer collectively to the inhabitants of the United States who are of Spanish or Latin American ancestry (). While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, for example, by the United States ...

of any race. As of the

census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...

of 2000, there were 218,725 households, and 160,981 families residing in the county. There were 225,498 housing units at an average density of . 20.1% were of

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

, 19.1%

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

, 14.0%

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

, 7.5%

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

and 5.9%

Polish Polish may refer to: * Anything from or related to Poland, a country in Europe * Polish language * Poles, people from Poland or of Polish descent * Polish chicken *Polish brothers (Mark Polish and Michael Polish, born 1970), American twin screenwr ...

ancestry. There were 218,725 households, out of which 35.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.20% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...

living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% were non-families. 21.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.17. In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 30.70% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.40 males. The median income for a household in the county was $59,727, and the median income for a family was $68,727. Males had a median income of $46,587 versus $31,984 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...

for the county was $27,430. About 3.10% of families and 4.50% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...

, including 4.80% of those under age 18 and 5.50% of those age 65 or over.

Population growth

The 2013 population estimate of Bucks County was 626,976. This ranked the county fourth in the state, well behind (more than 10%) the counties of Philadelphia with 1,553,165 (247% of Bucks), Allegheny with 1,231,527 (196%), Montgomery with 812,376 (130%), and well ahead of Delaware with 561,973 (89.6%). Growth began in the early 1950s, when

William Levitt William Jaird Levitt (February 11, 1907 – January 28, 1994) was an American real-estate developer and housing pioneer. As president of Levitt & Sons, he is widely credited as the father of modern American suburbia. He was named one of ''Time'' ...

chose Bucks County for his second "Levittown". Levitt bought hundreds of acres of woodlands and farmland, and constructed 17,000 homes and dozens of schools, parks, libraries, and shopping centers. By the time the project ended, the population of Levittown had swelled to almost 74,000 residents. At the time, only whites could buy homes. This rule however, was soon overturned. Other planned developments included

and Fairless Hills. This rapid sprawl continued until the mid-1960s. In the 1970s, a second growth spurt began. This time, developers took land in townships that were mostly untouched. These included Middletown Township, Lower Makefield Township, Northampton Township and Newtown Township.

Tract housing Tract housing is a type of housing development in which multiple similar houses are built on a tract (area) of land that is subdivided into smaller lots. Tract housing developments are found in suburb developments that were modeled on the "Levitt ...

, office complexes, shopping centers, and sprawling parking lots continued to move more and more towards Upper Bucks, swallowing horse farms, sprawling forests, and wetlands. At this time, the

Oxford Valley Mall The Oxford Valley Mall is a two-story shopping mall, managed and 85.5 percent-owned by the Simon Property Group, that is located next to the Sesame Place amusement park near Langhorne in Middletown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Its dep ...

was constructed in Middletown, which would become the business nucleus of the county. Growth has somewhat stabilized since the 1990s, with smaller increases and less development. However, the main reason for this is not a lack of population growth, but loss of land. Lower Bucks now lacks large parcels of land to develop. Smaller residential and commercial projects must now be constructed. However, redevelopment of existing building sites is now a leading coalition in Lower Bucks. Many areas along the

have surpluses of abandoned industry, so many municipalities have granted building rights to luxury housing developers. Also, as the regions that began the suburban boom in Bucks, such as Levittown, begin to reach their 50th anniversaries, many commercial strips and other neglected structures are being torn down to be replaced with new shopping plazas and commercial chains. Also, with rising property values, areas with older construction are undergoing a renaissance. At the same time, Central and Upper Bucks are still seeing rapid growth, with many municipalities doubling their populations.

2020 Census

Economy

The boroughs of

Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...

and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the

Northeast Corridor The Northeast Corridor (NEC) is an electrified railroad line in the Northeast megalopolis of the United States. Owned primarily by Amtrak, it runs from Boston through Providence, New Haven, Stamford, New York City, Philadelphia, Wilmington, a ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

Suburban A suburb (more broadly suburban area) is an area within a metropolitan area, which may include commercial and mixed-use, that is primarily a residential area. A suburb can exist either as part of a larger city/urban area or as a separate ...

development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of

Levittown, Pennsylvania Levittown is a census-designated place (CDP) and planned community in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The population was 52,983 at the 2010 census. It is above sea level. Though not a ...

, the second such "Levittown" designed by

. Among Bucks' largest employers in the twentieth century were

U.S. Steel United States Steel Corporation, more commonly known as U.S. Steel, is an American integrated steel producer headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with production operations primarily in the United States of America and in severa ...

in Falls Township, and the Vulcanized Rubber & Plastics and Robertson Tile companies in Morrisville.

Rohm and Haas Rohm and Haas Company is a manufacturer of specialty chemicals for end use markets such as building and construction, electronic devices, packaging, household and personal care products. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the company is organized i ...

continues to operate several chemical plants around Bristol.

Waste Management Waste management or waste disposal includes the processes and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This includes the collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste, together with monitoring ...

operates a

landfill A landfill site, also known as a tip, dump, rubbish dump, garbage dump, or dumping ground, is a site for the disposal of waste materials. Landfill is the oldest and most common form of waste disposal, although the systematic burial of the waste ...

Tullytown Tullytown is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally a village in Falls Township, Tullytown was partitioned as a borough in 1891. The population was 1,872 at the 2010 census. Part of Levittown is located in Tullytown. ...

that is the largest receptacle of out-of-state waste in the USA (receiving much of New York City's waste following the closure of Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island, NY away). Bucks is also experiencing rapid growth in

biotechnology Biotechnology is the integration of natural sciences and engineering sciences in order to achieve the application of organisms, cells, parts thereof and molecular analogues for products and services. The term ''biotechnology'' was first used b ...

, along with neighboring Montgomery County. The

Greater Philadelphia The Delaware Valley is a metropolitan region on the East Coast of the United States that comprises and surrounds Philadelphia, the sixth most populous city in the nation and 68th largest city in the world as of 2020. The toponym Delaware Vall ...

area consistently ranks in the top 10 geographic clusters for biotechnology and biopharma. It is projected by 2020 that one out of four people in Bucks County will work in biotechnology.

List of notable Bucks County businesses

Tourism

Another important asset of the county is tourism. The county's northern regions, colloquially referred to as Upper Bucks, are known for their natural scenery, farmland, colonial history, and proximity to major urban areas, including

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

Allentown Allentown may refer to several places in the United States and topics related to them: * Allentown, California, now called Toadtown, California * Allentown, Georgia, a town in Wilkinson County * Allentown, Illinois, an unincorporated community in T ...

Reading Reading is the process of taking in the sense or meaning of Letter (alphabet), letters, symbols, etc., especially by Visual perception, sight or Somatosensory system, touch. For educators and researchers, reading is a multifaceted process invo ...

, and

Atlantic City Atlantic City, often known by its initials A.C., is a coastal resort city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The city is known for its casinos, Boardwalk (entertainment district), boardwalk, and beaches. In 2020 United States censu ...

, each of which is within a two-hour radius. Bucks County is home to twelve

covered bridges A covered bridge is a timber-truss bridge with a roof, decking, and siding, which in most covered bridges create an almost complete enclosure. The purpose of the covering is to protect the wooden structural members from the weather. Uncovered woo ...

. Ten are still open to vehicular traffic. Two other bridges, both located in parks, are open only to non-vehicular traffic. All Bucks County bridges use the

Town truss A lattice bridge is a form of truss bridge that uses many small, closely spaced diagonal elements forming a latticework, lattice. The lattice Truss Bridge was patented in 1820 by architect Ithiel Town. Originally a design to allow a substantial br ...

design. The Schofield Ford Bridge, in Tyler State Park, was reconstructed in 1997 from the ground up after arsonists destroyed the original in 1991. Popular attractions in Bucks County include the shops and studios of New Hope,

Peddler's Village Peddler's Village is a 42-acre countryside property in Bucks County, Pennsylvania that features 60+ retail shops and boutiques, full and quick-service restaurants, a 66-room hotel and an indoor family entertainment center. Open year-round, Peddler ...

(in

Lahaska Lahaska is an unincorporated area, unincorporated community in central Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. It lies east of Buckingham Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Buckingham and west of New Hope, Pennsylvania, New Hope on U.S. Rou ...

New Hope Railroad The New Hope Railroad , formerly and colloquially known as the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad, is a shortline and heritage railroad located in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Today, the railroad operates both steam and diesel powered locomotives and is ...

, Bucks County River Country and Bucks County Playhouse Theater (in New Hope). Rice's Market near Lahaska is a popular destination on Tuesday mornings. Quakertown Farmer's Market (locally called "Q-Mart") is a popular shopping destination on weekends. The county seat of Doylestown has the trifecta of concrete structures built by

Henry Chapman Mercer Henry Chapman Mercer (June 24, 1856 – March 9, 1930) was an American archeologist, artifact collector, tile-maker, and designer of three distinctive poured concrete structures: Fonthill, his home; the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works; and th ...

, including the

Moravian Pottery and Tile Works The Moravian Pottery & Tile Works (MPTW) is a history museum located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. It is owned by the County of Bucks, and operated by TileWorks of Bucks County, a 501c3 non-profit organization. The museum was individually listed on ...

, the

Mercer Museum The Mercer Museum is a museum located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The Bucks County Historical Society operates the Mercer Museum, as well as the Research Library, and Fonthill Castle, former home of the museum's founder, archeologist Henry Chapm ...

and Fonthill, Mercer's personal home. Southern Bucks, colloquially referred to as Lower Bucks, is home to two important

shopping mall A shopping mall (or simply mall) is a North American term for a large indoor shopping center, usually anchored by department stores. The term "mall" originally meant a pedestrian promenade with shops along it (that is, the term was used to refe ...

Neshaminy Mall Neshaminy Mall is a shopping mall located at U.S. Route 1 and Bristol Road in Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania. The mall was opened in 1968 and was the sixth interior mall constructed in Greater Philadelphia. The Neshaminy Mall is anchored by Bos ...

, and Sesame Place, a family

theme park An amusement park is a park that features various attractions, such as rides and games, as well as other events for entertainment purposes. A theme park is a type of amusement park that bases its structures and attractions around a central ...

based on the ''

Sesame Street ''Sesame Street'' is an American educational children's television series that combines live-action, sketch comedy, animation and puppetry. It is produced by Sesame Workshop (known as the Children's Television Workshop until June 2000) a ...

'' television series. Also within Lower Bucks County is

Parx Casino and Racing Parx Casino and Racing (formerly Philadelphia Park Racetrack and Casino) is a thoroughbred horse racing venue and the largest casino gaming complex in Pennsylvania. Parx is located in Bensalem Township in Bucks County, northeast of the city of P ...

in Bensalem, a

casino A casino is a facility for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are also known for hosting live entertai ...

and

thoroughbred horse racing Thoroughbred racing is a sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport – flat racing and jump racing, the latter known as National Hunt racing in t ...

track. The casino was built on the grounds of what was originally Philadelphia Park Racetrack. The complex includes the throughbred horse racing track, expansive casino, a dance club, numerous dining options, and the

Xcite Center Parx Casino and Racing (formerly Philadelphia Park Racetrack and Casino) is a thoroughbred horse racing venue and the largest casino gaming complex in Pennsylvania. Parx is located in Bensalem Township in Bucks County, northeast of the city of P ...

Education

Colleges and universities

Bucks County Community College Bucks County Community College (Bucks) is a public community college in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1964, Bucks has three campuses and online courses: a main campus in Newtown, an "Upper Bucks" campus in the town of Perkasie, and a " ...

Delaware Valley University Delaware Valley University (DelVal) is a private university in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1896, it enrolls approximately 1,900 students on its suburban, 570-acre campus. DelVal offers more than 28 undergraduate majors, seven master's p ...

Cairn University Cairn University is a private Christian university in Langhorne Manor and Middletown Township, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1913, the university has six schools and departments: Business, Counseling, Divinity, Education, Liberal Arts & Sciences, ...

in Langhorne *

Holy Family University Holy Family University is a private Roman Catholic university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was chartered in 1954 by the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. In addition to the main Torresdale campus in the northeaste ...

in Newtown *

La Salle University La Salle University () is a private, Catholic university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The university was founded in 1863 by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and named for St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle. History La ...

in Newtown *

Strayer University Strayer University is a private for-profit university with its headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1892 as Strayer's Business College and later became Strayer College, before being granted university status in 1998. Strayer Univer ...

in Trevose

Public school districts

Map of Bucks County Pennsylvania School Districts

Bensalem Township School District The Bensalem Township School District covers Bensalem Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania Bucks County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 646,538, making it the fourth-most popul ...

* Bristol Borough School District *

Bristol Township School District Bristol Township School District is a public school district located in Levittown, Pennsylvania (U.S.). It covers Bristol Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Bristol Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Bucks County. It has 5,971 students i ...

* Centennial School District *

Central Bucks School District The Central Bucks School District or CBSD is located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and is the third largest school district in Pennsylvania. The district covers the Boroughs of Chalfont, Doylestown and New Britain and Buckingham To ...

* Council Rock School District *

Morrisville Borough School District The Morrisville Borough School District is a public school district serving the Philadelphia suburb of Morrisville in Bucks County Bucks County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 646 ...

Neshaminy School District Neshaminy School District is a school district headquartered in Middletown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The district serves the eastern Pennsylvania municipalities of Middletown Township, Langhorne, Langhorne Manor, Penndel, Hulmevill ...

* New Hope-Solebury School District * Palisades School District *

Pennridge School District Pennridge School District is located approximately north of Philadelphia in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The district Pennridge School District, covers approximately with a total population of 45,000 and encompasses eight municipalities, includi ...

Pennsbury School District Pennsbury School District is located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania Bucks County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 646,538, making it the fourth-most populous county in Pennsylvania. ...

Quakertown Community School District Quakertown Community School District is a public school district located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The Quakertown Community School District covers 72 square miles

Souderton Area School District Souderton Area School District is a large, suburban public school district which covers an area of almost in the Montgomery County and Bucks County suburbs of Philadelphia. The district serves the municipalities of Souderton, Telford, Franconi ...

(also in Montgomery County) The Bucks County public schools listed above are served by a regional educational service agency called the Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22 located in the county seat of Doylestown.

Public charter schools

Bucks County Montessori Charter School
*Center Student Learning Charter School – Pennsbury *School Lane Charter School

Private schools

*27 Catholic grade schools (there are also the 27 parishes in Bucks County of the

Archdiocese of Philadelphia The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Philadelphia is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in southeastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. It covers the City and County of Philadelphia as well a ...

) *Abrams Hebrew Academy (K–8) * Archbishop Wood Catholic High School *Calvary Christian School * Conwell-Egan Catholic High School *

George School George School is a private Quaker (Society of Friends) boarding and day high school located on a rural campus in Middletown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania ( Newtown postal address). It was founded at its present site in 1893, and has grown ...

*Holy Family Regional Catholic School *

Holy Ghost Preparatory School , motto_translation = One heart and one mind , address = 2429 Bristol Pike , location = , region = , town = Bensalem , county = Bucks County , state ...

(9–12 for boys) *

Newtown Friends School Newtown Friends School is a coeducational prekindergarten through eighth grade Quaker independent school founded in 1948 and located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Though its name and address indicate it is in Newtown Township, it is physically lo ...

(PreK-8) *Plumstead Christian School *Quakertown Christian School *

Solebury School Solebury School is a co-educational private boarding and day school located on a campus in Solebury Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Solebury School's academic program features a college-preparatory curriculum with cour ...

*St. Katherine Drexel *St. Michael the Archangel *The Pen Ryn School *Trevose Day School *United Friends School Quakertown * Villa Joseph Marie High School (9–12 for girls)

Community, junior and technical colleges

*Bucks County School of Beauty Culture *

Bucks County Technical High School Bucks County Technical High School (BCTHS) is a technical high school, a part of the Bucks County School District that allows students to focus on career trades alongside their academic classes. Through this process, they prepare students to fi ...

* CHI Institute *

Middle Bucks Institute of Technology Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT) is a vocational-technical school serving Centennial, Central Bucks, New Hope/Solebury, and Council Rock School Districts in Pennsylvania, United States The United States of America (U.S.A. o ...

* Pennco Tech

Libraries

The Bucks County Library System was founded in 1956 by a resolution of the Bucks County Commissioners. Their mission statement reads: "Within our libraries and outside our walls, Bucks County Free Library fosters meaningful library experiences for the residents of Bucks County. We welcome our community by providing enthusiastic and effective staff, inviting buildings, a virtual presence, current materials, dynamic programs, and innovative services." The Bucks County Library System is made up of 7 branch libraries in the following townships: * Bensalem * Doylestown * Langhorne * Levittown * Perkasie * Quakerstown * Yardley-Makefield

Arts and culture

Fine and performing arts

Many artists and writers based in

have called Bucks County home, settling mainly in the small stretch between Doylestown and New Hope and along the

. Notable residents have included

Margaret Mead Margaret Mead (December 16, 1901 – November 15, 1978) was an American cultural anthropologist who featured frequently as an author and speaker in the mass media during the 1960s and the 1970s. She earned her bachelor's degree at Barnard Co ...

Pearl S. Buck Pearl Sydenstricker Buck (June 26, 1892 – March 6, 1973) was an American writer and novelist. She is best known for ''The Good Earth'' a bestselling novel in the United States in 1931 and 1932 and won the Pulitzer Prize for the Novel, Pulitze ...

Oscar Hammerstein II Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II (; July 12, 1895 – August 23, 1960) was an American lyricist, librettist, theatrical producer, and (usually uncredited) director in the musical theater for almost 40 years. He won eight Ton ...

Stephen Sondheim Stephen Joshua Sondheim (; March 22, 1930November 26, 2021) was an American composer and lyricist. One of the most important figures in twentieth-century musical theater, Sondheim is credited for having "reinvented the American musical" with sho ...

Charlie Parker Charles Parker Jr. (August 29, 1920 – March 12, 1955), nicknamed "Bird" or "Yardbird", was an American jazz saxophonist, band leader and composer. Parker was a highly influential soloist and leading figure in the development of bebop, a form ...

Moss Hart Moss Hart (October 24, 1904 – December 20, 1961) was an American playwright, librettist, and theater director. Early years Hart was born in New York City, the son of Lillian (Solomon) and Barnett Hart, a cigar maker. He had a younger brother ...

, George S. Kaufman,

James Michener James Albert Michener ( or ; February 3, 1907 – October 16, 1997) was an American writer. He wrote more than 40 books, most of which were long, fictional family sagas covering the lives of many generations in particular geographic locales and ...

Dorothy Parker Dorothy Parker (née Rothschild; August 22, 1893 – June 7, 1967) was an American poet, writer, critic, and satirist based in New York; she was known for her wit, wisecracks, and eye for 20th-century urban foibles. From a conflicted and unhap ...

S. J. Perelman Sidney Joseph Perelman (February 1, 1904 – October 17, 1979) was an American humorist and screenwriter. He is best known for his humorous short pieces written over many years for ''The New Yorker''. He also wrote for several other magazines ...

Stan and Jan Berenstain Stanley Melvin Berenstain (September 29, 1923 – November 26, 2005) and Janice Marian Berenstain (née Grant; July 26, 1923 – February 24, 2012) were American writers and illustrators best known for creating the children's book seri ...

Daniel Garber Daniel Garber (April 11, 1880 – July 5, 1958) was an American Impressionist landscape painter and member of the art colony at New Hope, Pennsylvania. He is best known today for his large impressionist scenes of the New Hope area, in which he o ...

Alfred Bester Alfred Bester (December 18, 1913 – September 30, 1987) was an American science fiction author, TV and radio scriptwriter, magazine editor and scripter for comic strips and comic books. He is best remembered for his science fiction, inclu ...

Annie Haslam Annie Haslam (born 8 June 1947) is an English vocalist, songwriter and painter. She is best known as the lead singer of progressive rock band Renaissance since 1971, and for her long and diverse solo singing career. She has a five-octave vocal r ...

, and

Jean Toomer Jean Toomer (born Nathan Pinchback Toomer; December 26, 1894 – March 30, 1967) was an American poet and novelist commonly associated with the Harlem Renaissance, though he actively resisted the association, and with modernism. His reputatio ...

. Bucks County has been the home of writer/musician James McBride, writer

Eric Knight Eric Mowbray Knight (10 April 1897 – 15 January 1943) was an English novelist and screenwriter, who is mainly known for his 1940 novel ''Lassie Come-Home'', which introduced the fictional collie Lassie. He took American citizenship in 1942 s ...

, Academy Award-winning film composer

Joe Renzetti Joe Renzetti (born January 4, 1941) is an American film composer and session musician. He scores for films and television, and composes works for orchestra, chamber groups, and solo artists. Career Born in Philadelphia, Renzetti began his career ...

, musician

Gene Ween Aaron Freeman (born March 17, 1970), better known by his stage name Gene Ween, is an American singer, guitarist and a founding member of the experimental alternative rock group Ween. Freeman, along with childhood friend Dean Ween (Mickey Melch ...

Ween Ween is an American rock band from New Hope, Pennsylvania, formed in 1984 by Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo, better known by their respective stage names, Gene and Dean Ween. Generally categorized as an alternative rock band, the band are ...

, painter Christopher Wajda, photographer Michael Barone, and furniture designer

George Nakashima George Katsutoshi Nakashima ( ja, 中島勝寿 ''Nakashima Katsutoshi'', May 24, 1905 – June 15, 1990) was an American woodworker, architect, and furniture maker who was one of the leading innovators of 20th century furniture design and a fathe ...

James Gould Cozzens James Gould Cozzens (August 19, 1903 – August 9, 1978) was a Pulitzer prize-winning American writer whose work enjoyed an unusual degree of popular success and critical acclaim for more than three decades. His 1949 Pulitzer win was for the WWI ...

lived in

Lambertville, New Jersey Lambertville is a city in Hunterdon County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the city's population was 3,906,Allen Saalburg Allen Russell Saalburg (1899–1987) was an American painter, illustrator, and screen printer born in Rochelle, Illinois. His father was the cartoonist Charles W. Saalburg. He studied at the Art Students League of New York before working in adver ...

relocated to Bucks County in 1947, and named his press after the canal. The county boasts many local

theater Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actor, actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The p ...

companies, including the long-established and recently reopened

Bucks County Playhouse THE BUCKS COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE The Bucks County Playhouse is located in New Hope, Pennsylvania. When the ''Hope Mills'' burned in 1790, the grist mills were rebuilt as the ''New Hope Mills,'' by Benjamin Parry. The town was renamed for the mills. ...

in New Hope, Town and Country Players in Buckingham, ActorsNET in Morrisville, and the Bristol Riverside Theatre, a professional Equity theater in Bristol. The Bucks County Symphony, founded in 1953, performs in Doylestown throughout the year and the Bucks County Gilbert & Sullivan Society, founded in 2009, performs a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta with full orchestra each June. The ''

Wild River Review ''Wild River Review'' is an online magazine that seeks to raise awareness and compassion as well as inspire engagement through the power of stories. In a climate of repeated media flashes and quick newsbyte stories, Wild River Review curates, edits ...

'', an online magazine that publishes in-depth reporting, works of literature, art, visual art, reviews, interviews, and columns by and about contemporary artists, photographers, and writers, is based out of Doylestown.

Literature

The seemingly autobiographical novel ''

The Fires of Spring ''The Fires of Spring'' (1949) is the second book and first novel published by American author James A. Michener. Usually known for his multi-generational epics of historical fiction, ''The Fires of Spring'' was written as a partially autobiogr ...

'' by

takes place in and around Doylestown.

Popular culture

Alecia Moore, more commonly known as

Pink Pink is the color of a namesake flower that is a pale tint of red. It was first used as a color name in the late 17th century. According to surveys in Europe and the United States, pink is the color most often associated with charm, politeness, ...

, was born in Doylestown, as was motion picture writer and director Stefan Avalos. Three ''

American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to Ap ...

'' contestants live in Bucks County:

Justin Guarini Justin Guarini (born Justin Eldrin Bell; October 28, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter and actor who in 2002 was the runner-up on the first season of ''American Idol''. Early life Guarini was born in Columbus, Georgia. His father, Eldr ...

, who was born in Atlanta, but moved to Bucks County; Jordan White, who was born in Cranford, New Jersey and moved to Bucks County; and

Anthony Fedorov Anatoliy Vladimirovich "Anthony" Fedorov (russian: link=no, Анатолий Владимирович Фёдоров; born May 4, 1985) is an American singer and actor who is former lead singer for the Chicago band 7th Heaven. He rose to fame as ...

, who was born in Ukraine and was from

Trevose Trevose, also known as the TVO(tee,vee,oh) is a census-designated place within Lower Southampton Township, Pennsylvania. Trevose is located within both Bensalem and Lower Southampton townships in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which is north of a ...

, in Lower Southampton Township. Singer/actress

Irene Molloy Irene Molloy is an American actress, singer, and songwriter. She is best known for her roles on television series ''Andy Richter Controls the Universe'' and ''Grosse Pointe''. She has also appeared in Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals, televisi ...

and classical tenor David Gordon were born in Doylestown. Musician

Asher Roth Asher Paul Roth (born August 11, 1985) is an American rapper. He is best known for his debut single " I Love College". Roth released his debut studio album ''Asleep in the Bread Aisle'', on April 20, 2009, by Universal Motown, SRC, and School B ...

was born in Morrisville. The

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual cer ...

-winning Broadway play ''

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike ''Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike'' is a comedy play written by Christopher Durang. The story revolves around the relationships of three middle-aged single siblings, two of whom live together, and takes place during a visit by the third, ...

'' is set in the county. The main members of the rock band

are from New Hope.

Film

*The 2012 film ''

Safe A safe (also called a strongbox or coffer) is a secure lockable box used for securing valuable objects against theft or fire. A safe is usually a hollow cuboid or cylinder, with one face being removable or hinged to form a door. The body and ...

'', starring

Jason Statham Jason Statham (; born 26 July 1967) is an English actor. He is known for portraying characters in various action-thriller films who are typically tough, hardboiled, gritty, or violent. Statham began practising Chinese martial arts, kickboxing ...

, was filmed at the

in Bensalem Township. *The 2012 film ''

The Discoverers ''The Discoverers'' is a non-fiction historical work by Daniel Boorstin, published in 1983, and is the first in the Knowledge Trilogy, which also includes '' The Creators'' and ''The Seekers''. The book, subtitled ''A History of Man's Search to ...

'' was filmed in a variety of locations in Bucks County, including Croydon, Bristol, Newtown, New Hope, and Tyler State Park. *The 2010

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an Television in the United States, American English-language Commercial broadcasting, commercial television network, broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Enterta ...

pilot episode for ''

Outlaw An outlaw, in its original and legal meaning, is a person declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, all legal protection was withdrawn from the criminal, so that anyone was legally empowered to persecute or kill them ...

'' was filmed in the

Andalusia Andalusia (, ; es, Andalucía ) is the southernmost Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community in Peninsular Spain. It is the most populous and the second-largest autonomous community in the country. It is officially recognised as a ...

section of Bensalem Township. *Bucks County is mentioned multiple times on the 2010 Freeform TV series ''

Pretty Little Liars ''Pretty Little Liars'' is an American mystery teen drama television series based on the novel series of the same name written by Sara Shepard. Developed by I. Marlene King, the series was broadcast on Freeform between June 8, 2010, and June ...

''. *The 2009 film ''

Law Abiding Citizen ''Law Abiding Citizen'' is a 2009 American vigilante action thriller film directed by F. Gary Gray, written by Kurt Wimmer, and starring Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler (who also co-produced). The film takes place in Philadelphia, telling the stor ...

'', starring

Gerard Butler Gerard James Butler (born 13 November 1969) is a Scottish actor and film producer. After studying law, he turned to acting in the mid-1990s with small roles in productions such as ''Mrs Brown'' (1997), the James Bond film ''Tomorrow Never Di ...

and

Jamie Foxx Eric Marlon Bishop (born December 13, 1967), known professionally as Jamie Foxx, is an American actor, comedian, and singer. He became widely known for his portrayal of Ray Charles in the 2004 biographical film '' Ray'', for which he won the ...

, was filmed partially in New Hope. *The county fair scene in the 2006 film '' Charlotte's Web'' was filmed at the Southampton Days Fair in

Southampton Southampton () is a port city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. It is located approximately south-west of London and west of Portsmouth. The city forms part of the South Hampshire built-up area, which also covers Po ...

. * M. Night Shyamalan's 2002 film '' Signs'', starring

Mel Gibson Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson (born January 3, 1956) is an American actor, film director, and producer. He is best known for his action hero roles, particularly his breakout role as Max Rockatansky in the first three films of the post-apocaly ...

, was filmed and takes place in Bucks County. The town scenes were filmed on State Street in Newtown Borough, and the drugstore scene was filmed at Burns' Pharmacy on Pennsylvania Avenue in Morrisville. The house was built on farmland privately owned and leased to

Delaware Valley College Delaware Valley University (DelVal) is a private university in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1896, it enrolls approximately 1,900 students on its suburban, 570-acre campus. DelVal offers more than 28 undergraduate majors, seven master's p ...

in Doylestown Township. A stage set for some interior shots was created in a warehouse on State Road in Bensalem Township. Shyamalan's film ''

Lady in the Water ''Lady in the Water'' is a 2006 American fantasy psychological thriller film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, who produced with Sam Mercer. The film features the starring cast of Paul Giamatti and Bryce Dallas Howard with Bob Balaban, ...

'' was shot across the street from the Bloomsdale section of Bristol Township. In addition, Shyamalan's 2008 film, '' The Happening'', was filmed in Upper Bucks County, including Plumsteadville. *

Central Bucks High School West Central Bucks High School - West, often shortened to CB West, is a public high school housing students in grades ten through twelve. It is located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania and is part of the Central Bucks School District. During the 2020-20 ...

football team was followed during the 1999 season for the documentary ''The Last Game''. *With the exception of the footage filmed in the New Jersey

Pine Barrens Pine barrens, pine plains, sand plains, or pineland areas occur throughout the U.S. from Florida to Maine (see Atlantic coastal pine barrens) as well as the Midwest, West, and Canada and parts of Eurasia. Perhaps the most well known pine-barre ...

, all of the 1998 film '' The Last Broadcast'' was shot in Bucks County. *A short scene from

Stephen King Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels. Described as the "King of Horror", a play on his surname and a reference to his high s ...

's ''

The Stand ''The Stand'' is a post-apocalyptic dark fantasy novel written by American author Stephen King and first published in 1978 by Doubleday. The plot centers on a deadly pandemic of weaponized influenza and its aftermath, in which the few surv ...

'', published in 1978, is based in Pipersville. *The producer Fred Bauer, the director Steve Rash and composer Joseph Renzetti of ''

The Buddy Holly Story ''The Buddy Holly Story'' is a 1978 American biographical film which tells the life and career of rock and roll musician Buddy Holly. It features an Academy Award-winning musical score, adapted by Joe Renzetti and Oscar-nominated lead performan ...

'', released in 1978, all live in Bucks County, where the film was conceived, and written by Bob Gittler. *One of

Steven Spielberg Steven Allan Spielberg (; born December 18, 1946) is an American director, writer, and producer. A major figure of the New Hollywood era and pioneer of the modern blockbuster, he is the most commercially successful director of all time. Spie ...

's earliest films, ''

Something Evil ''Something Evil'' is a 1972 American made-for-television horror film starring Sandy Dennis, Darren McGavin and Ralph Bellamy. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the screenplay was written by Robert Clouse. Plot A married couple with two young chi ...

'', released in 1972, is set in Bucks County. *The 1942 film ''

George Washington Slept Here ''George Washington Slept Here'' is a 1942 comedy film starring Jack Benny, Ann Sheridan, Charles Coburn, Percy Kilbride, and Hattie McDaniel. It was based on the 1940 play of the same name by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, adapted by Everett F ...

'' was set chiefly in Bucks County, although most of the filming took place in the studio.

Media

Local print publications include ''Bucks County Courier Times'', '' The Intelligencer'', ''The Advance of Bucks County'', ''Bucks County Herald'', ''Bucks County Town and Country Living'', ''Radius Magazine'', ''Yardley Voic''e, ''Morrisville Times'', ''Newtown Gazette'', ''Northampton Herald'', ''Langhorne Ledger'', ''Lower Southampton Spirit'', ''New Hope News'', ''Doylestown Observer'', ''Warwick Journal'', ''Fairless Focus''. Online news publications are Levittown Now, NewtownPANow, Bucks Happening, New Hope Free Press. WBCB is a local radio news station.

Sports

Rugby league

The

Bucks County Sharks The Bucks County Sharks were a rugby league football team based in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The team currently plays in the USA Rugby League. Originally known as the New Jersey Sharks, the team was founded in 1997 and joined the now-defunct A ...

rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as just rugby league and sometimes football, footy, rugby or league, is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular field measuring 68 metres (75 yards) wide and 112 ...

team played in the

AMNRL The American National Rugby League (AMNRL) was a rugby league organization in the United States that operated from 1997 to 2014. The country's first domestic rugby league competition, it hosted an annual league from 1998 through 2013. Throughout it ...

from 1997 to 2010 season. They returned to play in the AMNRL in 2011, until the league's fold in 2014, when they subsequently joined the

USARL The USA Rugby League (USARL) is the official governing body for rugby league, a code of rugby football, in the United States. The organization also runs the national amateur competition for club teams in the US. The league consists of six te ...

Little League

The county has a considerable history of producing

Little League Little League Baseball and Softball (officially, Little League Baseball Inc) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Little League World Series The Little League World Series is an annual baseball tournament for children—typically boys—aged 10 to 12 years old, held in the Eastern United States. Originally called the National Little League Tournament, it was later renamed for the Wor ...

Williamsport, Pennsylvania Williamsport is a city in, and the county seat of, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. It recorded a population of 27,754 at the 2020 Census. It is the principal city of the Williamsport Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a popula ...

have come from Bucks County: Morrisville (

1955 Events January * January 3 – José Ramón Guizado becomes president of Panama. * January 17 – , the first nuclear-powered submarine, puts to sea for the first time, from Groton, Connecticut. * January 18– 20 – Battle of Yijian ...

), Levittown American (

1960 It is also known as the "Year of Africa" because of major events—particularly the independence of seventeen African nations—that focused global attention on the continent and intensified feelings of Pan-Africanism. Events January * Ja ...

and

1961 Events January * January 3 ** United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower announces that the United States has severed diplomatic and consular relations with Cuba ( Cuba–United States relations are restored in 2015). ** Aero Flight 311 ...

), and Council Rock-Newtown (

2005 File:2005 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf of Mexico; the Funeral of Pope John Paul II is held in Vatican City; "Me at the zoo", the first video ever to be uploaded to YouTube; Eris was discovered in ...

). Two of these squads, Morrisville and Levittown (1960), went on to win the World Series title. In 2007, Council Rock Northampton won the PA State championship, and lost in the finals of regionals.

PIAA

The county is a part of PIAA's District I, and has seen many schools capture multiple state titles.

American Legion baseball

In 1996, Yardley Western Post 317 won the American Legion National Championship. Bristol Legion Post 382 recently won the 2011 American Legion State Championship.

Horse racing

(formerly Philadelphia Park Racetrack and Keystone Racetrack), formerly the home of Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, Triple Crown contender Smarty Jones, is in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, Bensalem.

Parks and recreation

Pennsylvania state parks

There are six

-owned List of Pennsylvania state parks, parks in Bucks County: *Five are owned and operated by the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks, part of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). **Delaware Canal State Park **Neshaminy State Park **Nockamixon State Park **Ralph Stover State Park ** Tyler State Park * Bucks County Parks and Recreation operates an 18-bed Hostel, youth hostel in the Nockamixon State Park Weisel estate. The hostel is part of Hostelling International USA. *

, a site operated by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, is part of Washington's Crossing, a U.S. National Historic Landmark area. The park is headquartered in the village of Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, Washington Crossing located in Upper Makefield Township, Pennsylvania, Upper Makefield Township. It marks the location of George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River during the American Revolutionary War.

County parks

Lake Galena in Peace Valley Park from dam

*Core Creek Park
Dark Hollow Park
*Lake Towhee Park *Peace Valley Park *Playwicki Park *Ringing Rocks Park *Silver Lake Park *Tinicum Park *Tohickon Valley Park
Bucks County Horse Park

Historic properties

** Stover-Myers Mill; Erwin Stover House * Moland House an old stone farmhouse built around 1750 located in Warwick Township, and served as the headquarters for General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War from August 10, 1777 until August 23, 1777. *

house and grounds, the United States, American home of

, founder and first Governor of Pennsylvania, administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in association with The Pennsbury Society and are open to the public.

County recreation sites

* Frosty Hollow Tennis Center * Core Creek Tennis Center * Oxford Valley Golf Course * Oxford Valley Pool * Tohickon Valley Pool * Weisel Hostel * Peace Valley Boat Rental * Core Creek Boat Rental

County nature centers

Bucks County Audubon Society's Honey Hollow Environmental Education Center

Churchville Nature Center

Peace Valley Nature Center

Silver Lake Nature Center

Transportation

Airports

* Public airports administered by th
Bucks County Airport Authority
** Doylestown Airport ** Quakertown Airport, also a Civil Air Patrol facility ** Van Sant Airport, Van Sant Airport and Park, formerly owned and administered by the Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation *Private Airports ** Pennridge Airport, owned by Pennridge Development Ent. Inc but open to public use for general aviation ** Sterling Aviation Heliport, privately owned and public heliport and helicopter repair facility located in Croydon, PA next to Neshaminy State Park.

Public transportation

*Amtrak's

line runs through the southern portion of the county. Select daily ''Northeast Regional'' and ''Keystone Service'' trains in each direction stop at the Cornwells Heights station in Bensalem. *SEPTA **SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes, City Division and SEPTA Suburban Division bus routes#Frontier District, Suburban Division bus routes across Southeastern Bucks **SEPTA Regional Rail, Regional Rail's Lansdale/Doylestown Line, Lansdale/Doylestown, Trenton Line, Trenton, Warminster Line, Warminster and West Trenton Line (SEPTA), West Trenton lines *TMA Bucks's Rushbus – only parts of South and Central Bucks County *Bucks County Transport or BCT – a paratransit and Vanpool, ridesharing service **Doylestown Dart provides public transportation around the Doylestown area.

Major highways

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Politics and government

As of November 7, 2022, there are 481,780 registered voters in Bucks County. * Democratic Party (United States), Democratic: 204,167 (42.38%) * Republican Party (United States), Republican: 196,486 (40.78%) * Independent (United States), Independent: 58,030 (12.04%) * Third party (United States), Third Party: 23,097 (4.79%) Like most of the Philadelphia suburbs, Bucks County was once a stronghold for the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party. However, in recent years it has become more of a swing vote, swing county, like Pennsylvania at large. In presidential elections, Bucks has been swept up in the overall Democratic Party (United States), Democratic trend that has swept the Philadelphia area, although the trend in Bucks has been less pronounced than in Delaware and Montgomery. It has gone Democratic in every presidential election since 1992. Until recently, Republicans still held most local offices. However, after Democratic gains in the 2018 elections, Republicans hold all but four state house seats covering portions of the county, while the Democrats and Republicans hold two state senate seats each. The Democrats and Republicans each hold four of the row offices. As in most suburban Philadelphia counties, Republicans tend to be conservative on fiscal matters and moderate on social and cultural matters. All four statewide winners (Barack Obama for President, Rob McCord for Treasurer, Jack Wagner (politician), Jack Wagner for Auditor General, and Tom Corbett for Attorney General) carried Bucks in November 2008. Earlier in 2008, Democrats took a plurality of registered voters. The GOP statewide candidates in the 2010 midterms, Tom Corbett for Governor and Pat Toomey for Senate, both won Bucks. Bucks County is represented in U.S. Congress by ,
map
formerly numbered as the Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district, 8th District. While concerns about gerrymandering are on the rise, the 1st District remains one of the few districts in the United States that is almost fully encompassed by a single county. In order to comply with population requirements, the Bucks County-dominated 1st Congressional district also includes slightly over 100,000 residents in the Hatboro-Horsham area of Montgomery County. The executive government is run by a three-seat board of commissioners, one member of which serves as chairperson. Commissioners are elected through plurality-at-large voting, at-large voting and serve four-year terms. In cases of vacancy, a panel of county judges appoints members to fill seats. The current commissioners are Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia (D) (Chairwoman), Robert "Bob" J. Harvie Jr. (D) (Vice-Chairman), and Gene DiGirolamo (R). The current terms expire in January 2024. In 2012, four county employees were sentenced for compensating public employees for political work. In the 2016 elections, Democrats Hillary Clinton (President), Josh Shapiro (Attorney General), and Joe Torsella (State Treasurer) won Bucks County while Republicans Pat Toomey (U.S. Senate), Brian Fitzpatrick (U.S. Representative), and John Brown (Auditor General) won Bucks County in their respective races.

County commissioners

*Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, Chair, Democratic *Robert "Bob" J. Harvie Jr., Vice Chair, Democratic *Gene DiGirolamo, Republican

County row officers

Law enforcement

The current Bucks County Sheriff is Frederick "Fred" A. Harran. Three members of the Sheriff's Office have died in the line of duty. One was shot and two others died in traffic accidents. The first, Sheriff Abram Kulp was murdered in February 1927.

State Senate

State House of Representatives

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Communities

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: List of cities in Pennsylvania, cities, List of towns and boroughs in Pennsylvania, boroughs, List of townships in Pennsylvania, townships, and, in at most two cases, List of towns and boroughs in Pennsylvania#Towns, towns. The most populous borough in the county is Morrisville with 10,023 as of the 2000 census. The following boroughs and townships are located in Bucks County:

Boroughs

*Chalfont, Pennsylvania, Chalfont * Doylestown (county seat) *Dublin, Pennsylvania, Dublin *Hulmeville, Pennsylvania, Hulmeville *Ivyland, Pennsylvania, Ivyland *Langhorne, Pennsylvania, Langhorne *Langhorne Manor, Pennsylvania, Langhorne Manor * Morrisville *New Britain, Pennsylvania, New Britain * New Hope *Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Newtown *Penndel, Pennsylvania, Penndel *Perkasie, Pennsylvania, Perkasie * Quakertown *Richlandtown, Pennsylvania, Richlandtown *Riegelsville, Pennsylvania, Riegelsville *Sellersville, Pennsylvania, Sellersville *Silverdale, Pennsylvania, Silverdale *Telford, Pennsylvania, Telford (lies partly in Montgomery County) *Trumbauersville, Pennsylvania, Trumbauersville *

*Yardley, Pennsylvania, Yardley

Townships

*Bedminster Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Bedminster *Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania, Bensalem *Bridgeton Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Bridgeton *Bristol Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Bristol *Buckingham Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Buckingham *Doylestown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Doylestown *Durham Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Durham *East Rockhill Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, East Rockhill *Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Falls *Haycock Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Haycock *Hilltown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Hilltown *Lower Makefield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Lower Makefield *Lower Southampton Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Lower Southampton *Middletown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Middletown *Milford Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Milford *New Britain Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, New Britain *Newtown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Newtown *Nockamixon Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Nockamixon *Northampton Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Northampton *Plumstead Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Plumstead *Richland Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Richland *Solebury Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Solebury *Springfield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Springfield *Tinicum Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Tinicum *Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Upper Makefield *Upper Southampton Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Upper Southampton *Warminster Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Warminster *Warrington Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Warrington *Warwick Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Warwick *West Rockhill Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, West Rockhill *Wrightstown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Wrightstown

Census-designated places

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the

for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well. *Brittany Farms-The Highlands, Pennsylvania, Brittany Farms-The Highlands *Churchville, Pennsylvania, Churchville *Cornwells Heights, Pennsylvania, Cornwells Heights *

*Eddington, Pennsylvania, Eddington *Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, Fairless Hills *Feasterville, Pennsylvania, Feasterville *Levittown, Pennsylvania, Levittown *Milford Square, Pennsylvania, Milford Square *Newtown Grant, Pennsylvania, Newtown Grant *Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania, Plumsteadville *Richboro, Pennsylvania, Richboro *Spinnerstown, Pennsylvania, Spinnerstown *

*Village Shires, Pennsylvania, Village Shires *Warminster Heights, Pennsylvania, Warminster Heights *Woodbourne, Pennsylvania, Woodbourne *Woodside, Pennsylvania, Woodside

Unincorporated communities

*Almont, Pennsylvania, Almont *

*Applebachsville, Pennsylvania, Applebachsville *Aquetong, Pennsylvania, Aquetong *Argus, Pennsylvania, Argus *Bedminster, Pennsylvania, Bedminster *Blooming Glen, Pennsylvania, Blooming Glen *Brick Tavern, Pennsylvania, Brick Tavern *Bryn Gweled, Pennsylvania, Bryn Gweled *Buckingham, Pennsylvania, Buckingham *Bucksville, Pennsylvania, Bucksville *California, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, California *Carversville, Pennsylvania, Carversville *Centre Bridge, Pennsylvania, Center Bridge *Danboro, Pennsylvania, Danboro *Dolington, Pennsylvania, Dolington *Durham, Pennsylvania, Durham *Elephant, Pennsylvania, Elephant *Erwinna, Pennsylvania, Erwinna *Eureka, Pennsylvania, Eureka *Fallsington, Pennsylvania, Fallsington *Ferndale, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Ferndale * Finland, Pennsylvania, Finland * Forest Grove, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Forest Grove * Fountainville, Pennsylvania, Fountainville * Furlong, Pennsylvania, Furlong * Gallows Hill, Pennsylvania, Gallows Hill * Gardenville, Pennsylvania, Gardenville * Geryville, Pennsylvania, Geryville‡ * Hagersville, Pennsylvania, Hagersville * Harriman Historic District, Harriman * Harrow, Pennsylvania, Harrow * Hartsville, Pennsylvania, Hartsville * Highton, Pennsylvania, Highton * Hillside Village * Hilltop, Pennsylvania, Hilltop * Hilltown, Pennsylvania, Hilltown * Hinkletown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Hinkletown * Holicong, Pennsylvania, Holicong * Holland, Pennsylvania, Holland * Hood, Pennsylvania, Hood * Jamison, Pennsylvania, Jamison * Johnsville, Pennsylvania, Johnsville * Kintnersville, Pennsylvania, Kintnersville * Kulps Corner, Pennsylvania, Kulps Corner *

* Line Lexington, Pennsylvania, Line Lexington‡ * Lodi, Pennsylvania, Lodi * Loux Corner, Hilltown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Loux Corner (Hilltown) * Lumberville, Pennsylvania, Lumberville * Maple Beach, Pennsylvania, Maple Beach * Mechanicsville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Mechanicsville * Mount Pleasant, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Mount Pleasant * Neshaminy Falls, Pennsylvania, Neshaminy Falls * Newville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Newville * Oakford, Pennsylvania, Oakford * Ottsville, Pennsylvania, Ottsville * Oxford Valley, Pennsylvania, Oxford Valley * Paletown, Pennsylvania, Paletown * Passer, Pennsylvania, Passer * Penns Park, Pennsylvania, Penns Park * Pineville, Pennsylvania, Pineville * Pipersville, Pennsylvania, Pipersville * Pleasant Valley, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Pleasant Valley * Point Pleasant * Revere, Pennsylvania, Revere * Rushland, Pennsylvania, Rushland * Shelly, Pennsylvania, Shelly * Solebury, Pennsylvania, Solebury *

* Springtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Springtown * Strawntown, Pennsylvania, Strawntown * Uhlerstown, Pennsylvania, Uhlerstown * Unionville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Unionville‡ * Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania, Upper Black Eddy * Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, Washington Crossing * White Horse, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, White Horse * Wrightstown, Pennsylvania, Wrightstown * Wycombe * Zionhill, Pennsylvania, Zionhill ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

Historic communities

* Tohickon, Pennsylvania, Tohickon, located under modern Lake Nockamixon

Police agencies and services

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 United States census, 2010 census of Bucks County. † ''county seat''

Climate

Piedmont Region

According to the Trewartha climate classification system, the Piedmont (United States) section of Bucks County, which is located roughly northwest of U.S. Route 1, has a Temperate Continental Climate with hot and slightly humid summers, cold winters and year-around precipitation (''Dcao''). Dcao climates are characterized by at least one month having an average mean temperature ≤ , four to seven months with an average mean temperature ≥ , at least one month with an average mean temperature ≥ and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. According to the Köppen climate classification system, the climate is a hot-summer, wet all year, humid continental climate (''Dfa''). During the summer months in the Piedmont, episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur with heat index values > . The average wettest month is July which corresponds with the annual peak in thunderstorm activity. During the winter months, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values < . The plant hardiness zone at Haycock Mountain, elevation 968 ft (295 m), is 6b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of . The average seasonal (Nov-Apr) snowfall total is between 26 and 36 inches (66 and 91 cm) depending on elevation and distance from the Atlantic Ocean. The average snowiest month is February which correlates with the annual peak in nor'easter activity. Some areas of the Piedmont farther south and along the river below New Hope are in hardiness zone 7a, as is the Atlantic Coastal Plain region of Bucks.

Atlantic Coastal Plain Region

According to the Trewartha climate classification system, the Atlantic coastal plain section of Bucks County, which is located roughly southeast of U.S. Route 1 has a Temperate Oceanic Climate with hot and slightly humid summers, cool winters and year-around precipitation (''Doak''). Doak climates are characterized by all months having an average mean temperature > , four to seven months with an average mean temperature ≥ , at least one month with an average mean temperature ≥ and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. According to the Köppen climate classification, this region has a humid subtropical climate (''Cfa''). During the summer months in the Atlantic Coastal Plain, episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur with heat index values > . The average wettest month is July which corresponds with the annual peak in thunderstorm activity. During the winter months, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values < . The plant hardiness zone in Andalusia, Bensalem Twp, elevation 16 ft (5 m), is 7a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of . The average seasonal (Nov-Apr) snowfall total is between 24 and 26 inches (61 and 66 cm) depending on elevation and distance from the Atlantic Ocean. The average snowiest month is February which correlates with the annual peak in nor'easter activity.

Ecology

According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Bucks County, Pennsylvania would have a dominant vegetation type of Appalachian Oak (''104'') with a dominant vegetation form of Eastern Hardwood Forest (''25'').

Notable people

*Josh Adams (American football), Josh Adams, free agent professional football player born in Warrington Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Warrington, Pennsylvania * Charles Albright (congressman), Charles Albright, (1830–1880), United States Congressman; born in Bucks County * Lavoy Allen (1989–), NBA G player for the Northern Arizona Suns *

, writers and illustrators best known for creating the children's book series ''The Berenstain Bears'' * Christy Altomare, Actress and singer-songwriter, best known for originating the role of Anya in the Broadway musical Anastasia * Jacob Jennings Brown (1775 – 1828), Commanding General of the United States Army *

(1892–1973), author and Nobel Prize for Literature recipient; lived near Dublin, Pennsylvania, Dublin in Hilltown Township, Pennsylvania, Hilltown Twp. * Sabrina Carpenter (1999–), actress in ''Girl Meets World'' * Brandon Cottom (1992-), NFL player for the Seattle Seahawks; attended high school at Council Rock High School North * Ulric Dahlgren (1842-1864), Union Army Colonel, unsuccessful raid on Richmond, Virginia started the Dahlgren Affair *Charles Dera (1978), Pornographic film actor and professional martial artist *Charles Ellet, Jr. (1810-1862), Civil Engineer and Union Army officer * Mary Jane Fonder, Criminal convicted of killing a fellow church member * William Edgar Geil, Minister * Chad I Ginsburg, guitarist of CKY (band), CKY *

, singer/actor, and contestant on ''

'' * Roy M. Gulick (1904 - 1976), Major General and Quartermaster of the Marine Corps *

, Oscar and Tony Award-winning writer, theatrical producer, and (usually uncredited) theatre director of musicals * Samuel Hartsel (1834–1918), Colorado ranching pioneer; born in Bucks County *

(1947–), lead singer of the progressive rock group Renaissance (band) * Michael Hurley (musician), Michael Hurley, singer and guitarist * Maureen Johnson (1973–), author of young adult fiction * Patrick Kerney, former NFL defensive lineman; grew up in Newtown * Richard Kind, actor, ''Spin City'' and ''Mad About You'' *

, creator of Lassie * Michael Levin (soldier), Michael Levin (1984–2006), American-born Israeli soldier who died in the 2006 Lebanon War * Saige Martin, first openly LGBT person and first Hispanic and Latino Americans, Latino person to serve on the Raleigh City Council * James McBride, writer and musician whose compositions have been recorded by a variety of other musicians * Matthew McGurk, United States Army Officer; talent manager; music producer *

(1901–1978), anthropologist; raised near Doylestown *

(1856–1930), archaeologist, artifact collector, tile-maker, and designer of poured concrete structures; Doylestown resident *

(1907–1997), author; Pulitzer Prize for Fiction recipient; lived in Doylestown * Matt Millen (1958-), former National Football League linebacker and executive; lives on a farm in Durham, Pennsylvania, Durham * David Miscavige (1960– ), Leader of the Church of Scientology * Jamie Moyer (1962– ), starting pitcher in Major League Baseball (Philadelphia Phillies); born in Sellersville, Pennsylvania, Sellersville *

, writer, best known for her wit, wisecracks, and sharp eye for 20th-century urban foibles * Rembrandt Peale (1778–1860), portrait painter and museum keeper *

, humorist, author, and screenwriter; best known for his humorous short pieces written over many years for ''The New Yorker'' * Christina Perri (1986-), Singer/songwriter *

(1979– ), singer; real name Alecia Moore; born in Doylestown * Justin Pugh, former NFL offensive lineman; attended high school at Council Rock High School South in Council Rock School District * Nancy Raabe, Nancy Raabe (1954- ), Lutheran pastor, composer, author, classical music critic. Lives in Hilltop Twp, works in Hatfield. * Leon Redbone, singer/songwriter and guitarist *

(1941– ), Academy Award-winning film composer; musical arranger of many hit records; session musician * Allen Rosenberg (rowing), Allen Rosenberg (born 1931), rower and rowing coach *

, platinum-certified hip-hop artist * Dean Sabatino, drummer for the punk band Dead Milkmen; Pennridge School District, Pennridge High School graduate * Liev Schrieber actor, titular protagonist of Ray Donovan; Paternal ancestral home. * Bryan Scott, NFL free safety; Bucks County native; attended Central Bucks High School East, Central Bucks East High School * Paul Simon, musician; owned a farm in Bucks County * Steve Slaton, former NFL running back; from Levittown; attended Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in Fairless Hills * Andrew Jackson Smith (1815–1897), Union army general * Hiram N. Smith (1817-1890), Wisconsin State Assemblyman * Ezra Stone (1917–1994), actor and director * Superheaven, alternative rock/grunge band formed in 2008 (formerly known as Daylight) * Brianna Taylor, cast member of ''The Real World: Hollywood''; born in Warwick, lives in Warminster * Troy Vincent, former NFL cornerback; lives in Lower Makefield Township, Pennsylvania, Lower Makefield and attended Pennsbury High School * Dean Ween, pseudonym for Mickey Melchiondo of the band

, pseudonym for Aaron Freeman of the band Ween * Jordan White, singer/songwriter and lyricist, contestant on ''

Official seal

The traditional seal of Bucks County, Pennsylvania takes its design from the inspiration of the county's founder,

. The center of the seal consists of a shield from the Penn family crest with a tree above and a flowering vine surrounding it in symmetric flanks. The seal has a gold-colored background and a green band denoting Penn as the county's first proprietor and governor. In 1683, Penn's council decreed that a tree and vine be incorporated into the emblem to signify the county's abundance of woods. The seal was used in its official capacity until the Revolutionary War. The county government has since used the official Pennsylvania state seal for official documents. Today, the Bucks County seal's use is largely ceremonial. It appears on county stationery and vehicles as a symbol of the county's heritage. The gold emblem is also the centerpiece of the official Bucks County flag, which has a blue background and gold trim.

References

External links

Bucks County Government
official website
Visit Bucks County
(official website of county's tourism promotion agency) {{coord, 40.34, -75.11, display=title, type:adm2nd_region:US-PA_source:UScensus1990 Bucks County, Pennsylvania, 1682 establishments in Pennsylvania Populated places established in 1682