Local Research and Evaluation

Upper Darby is the 6th largest municipality in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. With 82,846 residents (2019 estimates). Upper Darby's population is diverse, representing over 100 ethnic cultures and is the 7th most densely populated municipality in Pennsylvania only 2 spots below Philadelphia itself.

Once you begin including the neighboring municipalities you begin to notice how large and import the area is.

However, even with such density and importance to the local economy, community, and culture; very little research is down specifically in Upper Darby Township. As a result, UDTJ is undertaking research to better understand the situations and quality of life of residents in Upper Darby.

Once such initiative is evaluating public policy reforms for addressing systemic inequality’s in our education system. Upper Darby School District has embarked on numerous reforms with some being the first in Southeastern Pennsylvania and UDTJ is currently working with the School District to better understand these programs. A better understand will allow us to see the effects of the policy reforms clear and help us advocate for their adoption across Delco and abroad.

Neighboring communities such as Yeadon and Darby are the two highest population by percentage of black individuals in the Commonwealth but our data on annual reports of police complaints and use of force statistics are severely limited.

We hope the data we collect and information we are able to compile will be able to help inform public officials to make better informed policy legislative decisions.

Moving Eastern Delaware County forward rests on our ability to understand the full realities on the ground. If you are interested in joining us in our research efforts please reach out to us with our email udtjorganization@gmail.com so we can loop you in!