Ardmore at a glance
Ardmore is the Main Line’s busiest small downtown. About 13,600 people live in this unincorporated community along Lancaster Avenue, and it offers something rare in the suburbs: shops, restaurants, a music venue, a historic shopping center, and a brand-new train station, all within walking distance of many homes. In ZIP 19003, Zillow’s typical single-family home value was about $624,000 in August 2026, which makes Ardmore one of the more accessible ways into Main Line living.
Ardmore began as a village called Athensville. In 1873 the Pennsylvania Railroad renamed it Ardmore, one of several Main Line towns the railroad renamed as it developed the suburbs along its tracks.
Two townships, two school districts
Ardmore is split between Lower Merion Township (Montgomery County) and Haverford Township (Delaware County), and that line decides your school district.
| Side of Ardmore | Township and county | School district |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Merion side | Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County | Lower Merion (Lower Merion or Harriton High School) |
| Haverford Township side | Haverford Township, Delaware County | Haverford Township (Haverford High School) |
The Lower Merion School District assigns high schools by address, and some Ardmore sections have had a choice between its two high schools. Confirm the current assignment for any home you consider.
Downtown and Suburban Square
Ardmore’s downtown centers on Lancaster Avenue, Rittenhouse Place, and Cricket Avenue. Highlights include:
- Suburban Square, which opened in 1928 and describes itself as the first suburban shopping center to include a true department store. It now has about 355,000 square feet of shops and restaurants, plus the Ardmore Farmers Market.
- Ardmore Music Hall, a 600-capacity venue opened in 2013 in the former 23 East Cabaret, where bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers once played.
- One Ardmore Place, an eight-story apartment building opened in 2019, part of a push to add homes near the station.
Getting around
Ardmore is one of the best-connected towns on the Main Line:
- Ardmore station is served by SEPTA’s Paoli/Thorndale Line and Amtrak’s Keystone Service. A rebuilt station with fully accessible platforms opened in March 2026, and weekday trains reach Suburban Station in roughly 26 to 30 minutes.
- The M (formerly the Norristown High Speed Line) stops at Ardmore Avenue and Ardmore Junction on the Haverford Township side.
- By car, Center City is about 21 minutes away and King of Prussia about 22 minutes without traffic.
Lower Merion Township and Amtrak are planning development around the station that could add parking, housing, and shops.
Homes and prices
In ZIP 19003, Zillow’s typical single-family home value was about $624,000 in August 2026, up about 3 percent over the year. Across all home types, the least expensive third of homes was valued at about $377,000 and the most expensive third at about $934,000. That range includes apartments and condominiums near downtown, twins and older single-family homes on walkable streets, and larger houses toward the Gladwyne and Haverford edges.
Things to know before you buy
- Two townships, two counties. School district and tax system depend on the address. Haverford Township is in Delaware County, which reassessed all properties in 2021, and Lower Merion raised its township tax rate in 2025 and 2026.
- A busy downtown. Walkability comes with activity, traffic on Lancaster Avenue, and competition for parking near the shops.
- Change near the station. The planned development around Ardmore station may bring new buildings and more people to the area over time.
Working with Karen in Ardmore
Karen Langsfeld works with buyers and sellers across the Main Line. In Ardmore, she helps buyers sort out the township and school district for each home and weigh walkability against space. For sellers, she prices homes against sales on the same side of the township line and in the same kind of neighborhood.
Reach Karen directly at (215) 495-2914 or through the contact page.