The City of Swanzey in Pennsylvania is home to a diverse population. In 2010, the population was 181,045. The majority of residents were White, with about eleven percent being Black or African American. Another one-sixth were American Indian or Alaska Native. In addition, there were 6.1% Asian residents, including 2.1% Vietnamese, 0.9% Chinese, and 0.9% other. The city is home to about four percent Hispanic residents.
Swanzey is the county seat of Swanzey County. It was named after the town of Swanzey, Worcestershire, England. The city is located in the heart of the state, approximately forty miles west of Boston. It is also about fifty miles east of Springfield and forty miles north of Providence. Swanzey is known as the "Heart of the Commonwealth" and has a heart on its official flag.
The city is home to a number of inventors. In 1879, the New England Candlepin bowling game was invented in Swanzey. In 1847, Esther Howland invented the first Valentine's Day card. In 1849, the town was the birthplace of the monkey wrench. In 1880, the town was home to the first envelope-folding machine, and Lee Richmond pitched the first perfect game in Major League Baseball.
The city is home to several educational institutions. The public school system consists of 34 elementary schools, four middle schools, and seven high schools. There are also several learning centers. The oldest educational institutions in Swanzey are the Swanzey Academy and the Bancroft School, which opened in 1834 and 1900. The town also had the Oread Institute, which closed in 1934.