Welcome to an informational website about Greater West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Nestled in the rolling hills of beautiful Chester County, Pennsylvania, the vibrant and historic Borough of West Chester, along with the adjacent townships of Birmingham, East Bradford, East Goshen, Thornbury, West Goshen and Westtown, establish the Greater West Chester Area.  With suburban conveniences and easy access to Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware, the area retains a significant rural feel.  As such, Greater West Chester is a thriving and diverse community for living and working where residents and visitors alike find substantial opportunities for cultural and recreational activities.

The Greater West Chester Area, located in southeastern Pennsylvania thirty miles west of Philadelphia and twenty miles north of Wilmington, Delaware, is older than the Nation itself.  Birmingham Township, for example, was the site of the Battle of the Brandywine, a key battle in the Revolutionary War.  During the Civil War, the Underground Railroad made numerous stops in the Greater West Chester Area.  The area continues to be proud of its connection to the very beginning of the Country.

West Chester Borough, at the heart of the region, is the hub for dining, entertainment, shopping, and cultural activities.  With its tree-lined streets and brick sidewalks, the neighborly historic downtown area welcomes visitors to enjoy its many galleries, shops, and restaurants catering to a wide variety of budgets and tastes.

As the governmental seat of Chester County, the Borough contains numerous buildings of historical and architectural significance.  A prime example is the splendid Courthouse, designed by architect Thomas U. Walter, designer of the U.S. Capitol dome.  The Borough and the adjacent townships provide numerous examples of different architectural styles from the 18^th, 19^th and 20^th centuries.

The Greater West Chester Area has a strong educational tradition.  In addition to the West Chester Area School District and the Unionville - Chadds Ford School District, both recognized for excellence at the state level, Westtown School, a nationally recognized college preparatory boarding school dating back to the 18th century, provides top-level education to students in the Greater West Chester Area.  West Chester University, located in West Chester Borough, is part of the Pennsylvania University System and provides challenging curricula to students in a wide range of disciplines.  The presence of the University adds significant seasoning to the melting pot that constitutes the Greater West Chester area.

Collaborative efforts between community leaders, government officials, businesses and West Chester University have all helped to establish the Greater West Chester Area as a premier place in which to live and work.  Community participation and commitment can be measured by the strong academic standards established by the two local school districts, the low crime rate, high individual participation in service groups and significant philanthropic support.  From high tech industry to retail, from financial and legal services to medicine and education, the Greater West Chester Area is replete with opportunity reflecting the rich diversity and strength of the region.