Toughkenamon Pennsylvania

Toughkenamon is a census-designated place (CDP) in New Garden Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, with a population of 1,492 as of the 2010 census. The area was originally inhabited by Lenape Native Americans who spoke Unami and used controlled burns to enhance crop yields and deer populations. Early settlers Thomas and Mary Rowland arrived in 1706, establishing themselves near present-day Toughkenamon. Over time, interactions between settlers and Lenapes became strained, leading to misunderstandings about the purpose of these burns.

Toughkenamon Hill has been quarried for centuries, and the village developed as an early industrial center due to its strategic location on the old Baltimore Pike, providing easy access to resources like wood, water, and ore. Today, businesses involved in national wholesale food distribution operate in the area.

Geographically, Toughkenamon is located at 39°49′48″N 75°45′32″W, covering 2.1 square miles with minimal water area (0.48%). It is accessible via major highways such as Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1, and the East Penn Railroad connects it to the national freight network.

As of 2020, the population was 1,479, with a diverse racial makeup including 73.55% White, 2.62% African American, 48.56% Hispanic or Latino, and smaller percentages of other groups. The median household income was $61,109, with low poverty rates (4.9% of the population). Household structures varied, with 35.8% including children under 18 and a median age of 32 years. Transportation infrastructure includes New Garden Airport on Toughkenamon Hill and proximity to key roadways like Pennsylvania Route 41 and U.S. Route 30.