Although Philadelphia is generally considered a safe city, there are still certain areas that have high rates of violent crime, particularly in the West, North, and Northeast regions. The neighborhoods of Nicetown-Tioga and Hunting Park are considered to be the most dangerous areas in Philadelphia. To gain a better understanding of the city’s crime rates in 2023 and the worst areas to avoid, continue reading.
Is Philadelphia Safe? – A Human Perspective
Philadelphia is a city that is considered relatively safe, particularly if you stay away from the most dangerous neighborhoods. The likelihood of experiencing violent crime in Philly is approximately 1 in 250, which is lower than many other major cities in the United States. Moreover, the crime rate in Philadelphia has decreased by approximately 3% annually over the last ten years, indicating that the city is becoming even safer.
Although Philadelphia is a vibrant city, there are some areas that are considered dangerous due to high crime rates. The West and North sides of the city are known for having the highest concentration of crime, while other areas such as Center City and South Philadelphia are relatively safer for both residents and visitors. It’s important to be aware of the potential risks when exploring the city and to take necessary precautions, but it’s also worth noting that many parts of Philadelphia offer plenty of enjoyable experiences without any safety concerns.
Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Philadelphia
1. Nicetown-Tioga: Revitalizing a Neighborhood
Nicetown-Tioga, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, has gained a notorious reputation for being the most dangerous area in the city. With a population of 17,382, the average annual income in this region is $24,935. Shockingly, the crime rate in Nicetown-Tioga is 2,739 incidents per 1,000,000 inhabitants, indicating a crime rate that is 329% higher than the national average. In 2021, there were 2,737 cases of violent crime in this neighborhood, and gun violence remains a significant problem in this part of Philadelphia.
2. Exploring Hunting Park
North Philadelphia’s Hunting Park neighborhood is infamous for its high levels of violence and crime. The area boasts several significant landmarks, including the historic Clara Barton School. With a population of 22,735 individuals, Hunting Park has a staggering crime rate of 1,452 offenses per 100,000 people – a whopping 100% higher than the national average. Sadly, 2021 has seen the city experience 1,506 cases of violent crime, with robbery and assault being the most frequently reported. Additionally, Hunting Park is plagued by gun violence, making it an incredibly unsafe place for residents.
3. Strawberry Mansion
Located in North Philadelphia near Fairmount Park, Strawberry Mansion is infamous for its high crime rate. With a population of 19,690 people, the neighborhood has a crime rate of 1,944 per 100,000 inhabitants. Shockingly, crime in the city was ranked as being 162% higher than the national average in 2022, with violent crime being a staggering 420% higher. Unfortunately, Strawberry Mansion is no exception to this trend, with cases of murder and gun violence being all too common in the area.
Car theft and carjacking are examples of violent crimes that can result in dangerous confrontations.
4. Fairhill
Fairhill is considered to be one of the most perilous areas in Philadelphia. Situated in the Northeastern part of the city, Fairhill has a crime rate of 1,545 per 100,000 people as of 2022. This area is surrounded by the neighborhoods of Kensington and West Kensington. Kensington is infamous for its high levels of drug activity and is home to one of the largest open-air drug markets in the United States.
Fairhill has a remarkably high crime rate, with a staggering 260% higher rate than the national average. The violent crime rate in this area is even more alarming, with a whopping 313% higher rate than the national average. Shockingly, in 2021, there were a total of 1,602 incidents of violent crime reported in the Fairhill area.
5. Alleghany West
Alleghany West, situated in Northeastern Philadelphia, is home to a population of 18,676 individuals. The crime rate in this area was 2,458 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022. Unfortunately, lack of investment has greatly impacted the industrial history of this community.
Alleghany West reported 1,602 cases of violent crimes in 2021, resulting in a violent crime rate that is 313% higher than the national average.
6. Harrowgate
Harrowgate, situated close to Alleghany, is home to approximately 17,456 residents. Sadly, the crime rate in this area is quite high, with 1,703 incidents per 100,000 individuals. One of the major challenges faced by Harrowgate, like other neighborhoods in Northeastern Philadelphia, is the issue of drug trafficking. In addition to this, violent crimes like gun violence, murders, robberies, and assaults are also prevalent in the area. A significant proportion of these incidents can be traced back to drug-related activities taking place in the neighborhood.
According to recent statistics, Harrowgate experienced a staggering 1,764 violent incidents in 2021 alone, resulting in a violent crime rate that is 326% higher than the national average.
7. Haddington-Carroll Park
Haddington-Carroll Park is another neighborhood in Philly that is considered one of the most dangerous. Situated in West Philadelphia, its population of 35,068 residents experience a high crime rate of 1,588 crimes per 100,000 residents. Despite being a working-class neighborhood, Haddington-Carrol Park is surrounded by areas that share a similar culture, including Lansdowne Avenue and West Girard Avenue. In fact, in 2022, the overall crime rate in the city was 133% higher than the city average.
8. Elmwood Neighborhood
Elmwood, situated in Southwest Philadelphia and extending to the Schuylkill River, is known for its high violent crime rates, making it one of the worst areas in the city. With a population of 28,891, the neighborhood has a crime rate of 1,219 per 100,000 inhabitants as of 2022.
Elmwood, although not a top contender, still faces its fair share of challenges when it comes to gun violence and homicide. In fact, the violent crime rate in Elmwood for 2021 was 225% higher than the national average, with a total of 1,262 reported incidents.
9. Frankford
Frankford, situated in Northeast Philadelphia, is home to 39,792 residents and has a crime rate of 1,369 crimes per 100,000 individuals. Sadly, the overall crime rate in this area is 132% higher than the national average, with an even more alarming violent crime rate of 266% higher. Shockingly, there have been more than 1,400 reported incidents of violent crimes in 2021 alone, with assault and robbery being among the most frequent offenses.
10. North Central Philadelphia
North Central Philadelphia is located in the northern part of the city and is home to a population of 21,880 people. Unfortunately, it has earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Philly due to its high crime rate of 1,982 per 100,000 people in 2022. This area is in close proximity to Temple University, which is generally considered a safe campus surrounded by several high-crime areas.
North Central experienced a staggering number of reported crimes in 2022, with over 2,000 incidents of violent crime. Despite this alarming statistic, property crime remains the most common offense in this neighborhood. With almost 6,450 reported incidents, the property crime rate in North Central is a staggering 231% higher than the national average. These numbers highlight the urgent need for increased safety measures and community support in this area.
