Although Philadelphia has many safe areas, the West, North, and Northeast regions have high rates of violent crime. Nicetown-Tioga and Hunting Park are the most dangerous neighborhoods in Philadelphia. In 2023, the city’s crime rates continue to be a cause for concern. Keep reading to discover more about Philadelphia’s worst areas and crime statistics.
Is Philadelphia Safe?
If you steer clear of the city’s most dangerous areas, Philadelphia can be considered a safe place to live. The probability of experiencing a violent crime in Philly is roughly 1 in 250, which is lower than many other major cities in the US. Furthermore, Philadelphia’s crime rate has been decreasing by about 3% annually for the past ten years.
Philly has some dicey neighborhoods that you should avoid. The West and North sides of the city have the highest concentration of crime. On the other hand, if you’re in Center City or South Philadelphia, you don’t have to worry as much about crime. Both residents and visitors in these areas have a better sense of safety.
Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Philadelphia
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- Nicetown-Tioga
- Hunting Park
- Strawberry Mansion
- Fairhill
- Alleghany West
- Harrowgate
- Haddington-Carroll Park
- Elmwood
- Frankford
- North Central Philly
1. Nicetown-Tioga
Nicetown-Tioga, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, holds the notorious title of being the most dangerous area in the city. With a population of 17,382 and an average annual income of $24,935, Nicetown-Tioga has a high crime rate of 2,739 incidents per 1,000,000 inhabitants, which is 329% higher than the national average. Shockingly, in 2021 alone, there were 2,737 incidents of violent crime reported in this area. Regrettably, gun violence remains a significant issue in this part of Philadelphia.
2. Hunting Park
Hunting Park, situated in North Philadelphia, is among the most dangerous neighborhoods in the city. While it boasts of several historic structures like the Clara Barton School, the neighborhood has a population of 22,735 individuals and an alarming 1,452 crimes committed per 100,000 people. The crime rate in Hunting Park is 100% higher than the national average, making it a major cause for concern. Unfortunately, the year 2021 witnessed 1,506 incidents of violent crime in the city, with robbery and assault being the most common. The neighborhood is also grappling with gun violence, which is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
3. Strawberry Mansion
Located in North Philadelphia near Fairmount Park, Strawberry Mansion is a perilous neighborhood with a population of 19,690 people and a staggering crime rate of 1,944 per 100,000 inhabitants. The city’s crime rate in 2022 was 162% higher than the national average, with violent crime soaring by 420%. Sadly, murder and gun violence are rampant in this area of the city.
Car theft and carjacking are among the violent crimes that frequently result in violent confrontations.
4. Fairhill
Fairhill, situated in the northeastern part of Philadelphia, is considered to be one of the most perilous areas in the city. As of 2022, the crime rate in Fairhill stands at 1,545 per 100,000 individuals. Moreover, Fairhill shares its borders with Kensington and West Kensington, both of which are notorious for their high levels of drug activities. In fact, Kensington is home to one of the largest open-air drug markets in the United States.
Fairhill has a shockingly high crime rate, with figures showing it to be 260% higher than the national average. Even more concerning is the violent crime rate, which is a staggering 313% higher than the national average. As of 2021, the number of violent crimes committed in Fairhill totaled 1,602 incidents.
5. Alleghany West
Northeastern Philadelphia is home to Alleghany West, with a population of 18,676 individuals. In 2022, the crime rate in this area was 2,458 per 100,000 inhabitants. Unfortunately, due to a lack of investment, Alleghany West has experienced a significant impact on its industrial history.
Alleghany West reported 1,602 cases of violent crime in 2021, resulting in a violent crime rate that is 313% higher than the national average.
6. Harrowgate
Harrowgate, a neighborhood situated close to Alleghany, is home to 17,456 people and has a crime rate of 1,703 per 100,000 residents. Unfortunately, much like other neighborhoods in Northeastern Philadelphia, Harrowgate is struggling with drug trafficking. The community is also grappling with violent crime such as gun violence, murders, robberies, and assaults. The majority of these violent crimes are directly linked to drug activity in the area.
Harrowgate witnessed a staggering 1,764 violent incidents in the year 2021, causing the violent crime rate to soar 326% higher than the national average.
7. Haddington-Carroll Park
Haddington-Carroll Park, situated in West Philadelphia, is considered one of the most perilous neighborhoods in Philly. It has a population of 35,068 and a crime rate of 1,588 per 100,000 residents. This working-class neighborhood is flanked by Lansdowne Avenue and West Girard Avenue, offering a comparable cultural environment. Shockingly, in 2022, the crime rate in this area was 133% higher than the city’s average.
8. Elmwood
Located in Southwest Philadelphia, Elmwood is notorious for its high rates of violent crime, making it one of the city’s worst areas. The neighborhood extends from Delaware County to the Schuylkill River and is home to a population of 28,891. As of 2022, the crime rate in Elmwood stands at 1,219 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Elmwood may not be ranked as the worst, but it still grapples with problems associated with gun violence and homicide. Shockingly, in 2021, the violent crime rate in Elmwood was 225% higher than the national average, with 1,262 reported incidents.
9. Frankford
Frankford, a neighborhood situated in Northeast Philadelphia, is home to 39,792 people. Unfortunately, the area has a high crime rate with 1,369 crimes being reported per 100,000 individuals. Shockingly, the overall crime rate in Frankford is 132% higher than the national average, and the violent crime rate is a staggering 266% higher. In 2021, over 1,400 incidents of violent crime were reported, with assault and robbery being the most common occurrences.
10. North Central Philly
North Central Philadelphia ranks as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Philly. In 2022, the neighborhood’s crime rate was recorded at 1,982 per 100,000 people, with a population of 21,880. North Central Philadelphia is situated in the northern part of the city, close to Temple University, and is infamous for its high crime rate. Despite Temple University’s safe campus reputation, the area is surrounded by several high-crime neighborhoods.
North Central witnessed more than 2,000 cases of violent crime in 2022. However, property crime is a bigger concern for this neighborhood. In 2022, the reported cases of property crime in North Central exceeded 6,450 incidents, indicating a property crime rate that is 231% higher than the national average.
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