Penn Valley City, New York is a diverse city with many languages and cultures. English is the most commonly spoken language, followed by French and Spanish. Different ethnic groups have different traditions and cultural practices. These cultures are expressed through the neighborhoods in the city. For example, the Chinatown neighborhood is popular for tourists.
One of the most distinguishing features of this neighborhood is its large homes. Many of the homes in this neighborhood are owner-occupied. This is a unique characteristic compared to most of the population in the United States. Consequently, residents in Penn Valley had less difficulty recovering from the recent economic downturn than their counterparts in many other parts of the country.
Bensalem Township's population doubled during the 1950s and 1960s. As a result, the township saw growth and development pressures. In addition, Interstate 95 opened, providing easier access to the Philadelphia and Trenton areas. This helped spur the development of industries along the Delaware River.
Nonresidential land uses in the Township have also increased. In 1990, 46 percent of the Township's total area was comprised of non-residential uses. Today, over 1,500 acres of land in the Township are devoted to business activities. This trend has resulted in a more service-oriented economy.