Wayne (Radnor SD) for families buying in Philadelphia

• Highest-ranked HS in our consideration set (PA #6).
• Single middle and high school — no LMSD-style HS feeder split anxiety.
• Walk-to-train at Wayne, Strafford, or St. Davids stations.
• Episcopal Academy (private K-12) is in zone.
• “Wayne village” downtown is genuinely walkable — restaurants, library, farmers market, community feel.

• $750k is the bottom third of the Wayne 4-bed market. Median ask is $830k–$1.1M for 4/2.5 walking distance.
• Eli’s door-to-door is at his stated 25-min ceiling, sometimes over. Schuylkill traffic into University City in rush is unpredictable.
• Smaller district — fewer elective options at HS level than LMSD or T/E.
• Property tax effective rate ~1.7%–2.0% in Radnor Township — comparable to Lower Merion.

48.4 in precipitation per year (VILLANOVA, 1.8 mi away).

FEMA flood zone X — area of minimal flood hazard. Flood insurance is optional but available.

Moderate earthquake hazard — peak ground acceleration 0.10g at the 2%-in-50-year design level (USGS NSHM E2014B).

Upper Merion Township Police Department (2023): 119 violent crime offenses per 100k, 4,223 property offenses per 100k.

Latest AQI 39 (Good) driven by O3 at the Philadelphia reporting area on 2026-05-02.

Mature canopy, large lots in north Wayne, smaller in south. No flood plain in walkable Wayne core.

Standard PA premiums. Many homes pre-1960 — same oil-tank and knob-and-tube inspection notes as Wynnewood. No flood exposure in walkable core.

$165,451

$693,200

70%

33,770

How are the schools in Wayne (Radnor SD)?

Elementary (K-5) (Wayne Elementary or Radnor Elementary (address-based)): Wayne and Radnor Elementaries both run GS 9 and Niche A. Smaller cohort sizes than LMSD elementaries (Radnor SD is a smaller district overall). State assessments are top 5% of PA. The Wayne Elementary catchment specifically has a strong walking-school-bus culture — kids walk in groups to school, which is rare on the Main Line. Middle (6-8) (Radnor Middle School): Single middle school for the district (Radnor MS), so the K-12 path is fully predictable from address — no LMSD-style HS split. Class sizes ~20–22. Strong music and STEM electives. High (9-12) (Radnor High School): Radnor HS is ranked #6 in Pennsylvania and #379 nationally in the 2025-26 US News rankings — the highest-ranked of any school we’re considering. 90% of grads complete a four-year degree. AP and IB-equivalent coursework available. Matriculation is consistently strong to Penn, Villanova, Penn State, and selective LACs. Culture is widely described as “rigorous but humane” — closer to the LMHS / Harriton balance than the Conestoga pressure-cooker reputation.

What does a home cost in Wayne (Radnor SD)?

Recent sold comps in Wayne (Radnor SD) include 253 Lantern Ln, Gulph Mills (Wayne PO), PA 19087 at $890,000 (Q1 2026, 4/2.5, —, —). Plus 2 other verified sold comps in the section above.

What's the commute from Wayne (Radnor SD)?

Eli to CHOP: Wayne station to 30th Street ~22 min express on the Paoli line, ~10 min walk/shuttle to CHOP. Door-to-door ~35–40 min — at the edge of his 25-min ceiling. By car: 25–35 min off-peak, 40–55 min rush via Schuylkill. Rachel to 15th/Market: ~30 min via train, well within tolerance.

What's the earthquake risk in Wayne (Radnor SD)?

Moderate earthquake hazard — peak ground acceleration 0.10g at the 2%-in-50-year design level (USGS NSHM E2014B).