It is located 28 miles (45 km) northwest of Philadelphia at the junction of French Creek and the Schuylkill River.

[8] In its early years, Manavon developed around a grist mill situated upon the banks of the French Creek.

In 1790, the French Creek Nail Works (later the Phoenix Iron Works) opened as the first nail factory in the United States, and would become the economic center of the town for nearly the next two centuries, producing notable products such as the Griffen gun and the Phoenix column.

During the early 19th century, Manavon saw an influx of Irish immigrants, mainly from County Donegal, who would construct a neighborhood on the banks of the Schuylkill River named "Sceilp Level" (an Irish term meaning "water flowing over rock's edge").

[9] On March 6, 1849, despite public opposition, Manavon was incorporated as a borough and was renamed "Phoenixville", officially separating from Schuylkill Township.

One notable type of manufacturing in Phoenixville during this time was of the famous (and now highly collectible) Etruscan majolica pottery.

The closure of the long-time hub of the town's economy resulted in an economic downturn, but beginning in the early 21st century, a town revitalization plan was put into effect which resulted in the creation of new businesses such as breweries, restaurants, and other retail outlets.

The accompanying growth in population gave rise to an increase in the construction of new housing such as townhomes and apartment buildings.

The Black Rock Bridge, Gay Street School, and Schuylkill Navigation Canal, Oakes Reach Section are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Blobfest is celebrated every July in Phoenixville, during which attendees have the opportunity to reenact the scene from the film in which moviegoers flee the theatre in terror of the Blob loose inside.

The tradition dates back to when former Army Major General Edward C. Shannon planted a dogwood tree in Reeves Park in Phoenixville as a memorial to honor those in the Armed Forces.

Each December since 2004, Phoenixville has held the annual Firebird Festival, a celebration of the "rebirth" of the town with the burning of a large wooden phoenix bird.

For much of its history, Phoenixville's economy was centered around the Phoenix Iron Works, as much of the town's population was employed by the company.

After the company's closure in 1987, the town experienced an economic downturn, as many of the former steel workers were left without jobs.

Although attempts were unsuccessful at first, by the early 2010s, new restaurants, shops, and apartment buildings were constructed, mainly in the downtown area.

Less than a mile northwest of the Phoenixville borough is the eastern terminus of Pennsylvania Route 724 at an intersection with PA 23.

The Reading Company Main Line entered the east side of town via a station above Bridge Street.

The line enters town crossing the Schuylkill River from neighboring Mont Clare on a high bridge, north of French Creek.

Past the Iron Works, the line splits, with the main fork turning north and passing through the now abandoned Phoenixville Tunnel, which partially collapsed in the 1990s, and continuing northwest of the town toward Reading.

[47] A section of the line remains in place, and is currently known as the Phoenixville Industrial Track (owned by Norfolk Southern).

Shortly after, another project called the Greenline, led by the group Citizens for the Train, was proposed as an alternative to the SVM.

In 2020, PennDOT finalized a study to extend passenger rail service from Norristown to Reading, which would include a stop in Phoenixville.

[50] In 2021, Amtrak revealed a similar plan that would allow rail service from Reading to New York City, which would also include a stop in Phoenixville.

The district has an early learning center and three elementary schools, Barkley, Manavon, and Schuylkill, each serving sections of the borough.

[63] Voxipop is an online television channel that produces original programming and news based around the Phoenixville area.