Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
More historic than 41% of U.S. towns · #838 of 1,035 in Pennsylvania. What drives it
Below: 3 old photos and papers, maps from 1894 on, and the census since 1920.
East Lansdowne dates its founding to 1911 (Wikidata). The census first counted it in 1920.
More historic than 41% of U.S. towns, on its age, its old homes and the National Register.
On its age, its old homes and the National Register, East Lansdowne is more historic than 41% of U.S. towns, #838 of 1,035 in Pennsylvania. Its share of homes from before 1940 holds the grade up; its age pulls it down.
Pennsylvania towns list about as much on the Register as the country (a typical Pennsylvania town has 2.1 per 10,000 residents, the U.S. 2.4), so East Lansdowne’s 0.0 sits below most of its state (25% of Pennsylvania towns have fewer) while its 0 listings outnumber those of 23% of U.S. towns.
Founding year: Wikidata (other dates in Quick answers). Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register: National Park Service, May 2026 list; each listing counted once (boundary changes and added documentation belong to their listing), and a historic district counts its contributing buildings. How TownRatings grades history →
Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.
The first neighbors to add old photos shape how East Lansdowne’s history is told.
Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of East Lansdowne. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.
U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of East Lansdowne.
Wikipedia doesn’t have a history of East Lansdowne yet. The photos, dates and memories neighbors add here are how it gets written.
East Lansdowne is a borough in Delaware County Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,714 at the 2020 census.
East Lansdowne was established in 1911. Its population held steady between the last two censuses: 2,668 in 2010, 2,714 in 2020.
Intro from Wikipedia. Population: U.S. Census Bureau.
Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.
In the archive1940 Census Enumeration District Maps - Pennsylvania - Delaware County - East Lansdowne -…
On the mapFirst mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey
In the archiveFernwood Diner, East Lansdowne, Pa (82444)2 decades in the archive, from the 1880s to the 1930s. Scroll each row; tap a photo for its story.
No then-and-now pairs yet. Take a photo from the same spot as an old one and they appear here side by side.
Find the spot, match the angle, and add your photo. It becomes the first then-and-now pair on East Lansdowne’s page.
Retake this view · +15Between 1,561 and 3,527 people in every census since 1920.
11 censuses, 1920–2020.
U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts, from the census table on East Lansdowne’s Wikipedia page.
In 1911, according to Wikidata. the census of 1920 counted 1,561 people here.
East Lansdowne is more historic than 41% of U.S. towns, #838 of 1,035 in Pennsylvania. The History grade combines the town’s founding era, the share of homes built before 1940 and its National Register listings. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
62% of East Lansdowne’s homes were built before 1940 (Census estimate, ±14.4 points), against a typical 18% for a Pennsylvania town; the median home was built in 1938.
What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.
Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).
From Wikimedia Commons (6), Wikidata and Wikipedia for famous people, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia) and the USGS Geographic Names Information System. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.
1880
2015
2015
2007