Top 10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Philadelphia (2023)

Although Philadelphia is generally considered a safe city, certain areas in the West, North, and Northeast have high violent crime rates. Among these areas, Nicetown-Tioga and Hunting Park are considered the most dangerous neighbourhoods in Philadelphia. Keep reading if you’re interested in learning more about the city’s crime rates in 2023 and the worst areas in Philly.

Is Philadelphia Safe?

Philadelphia is known to be a safe city, mainly if you steer clear of the rougher neighbourhoods. Statistics suggest the chances of falling prey to violent crimes in Philly are relatively low, with approximately 1 in 250 being the odds. This makes Philadelphia a safer option than other large US cities. It is also worth noting that the crime rate in Philadelphia has been on a downward trend for the past decade, with a decrease of approximately 3% each year.

Although Philadelphia is generally a safe city, there are specific neighbourhoods that can be dangerous. The West and North sides of the city tend to have a higher crime concentration than other areas like Center City and South Philadelphia. However, residents and visitors to these latter areas need not worry as much about crime.

Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Philadelphia

1. Nicetown-Tioga

Nicetown-Tioga, a neighbourhood in Philadelphia, has the dubious distinction of being the most dangerous in the city. With a population of 17,382, the average annual income here is $24,935. Shockingly, the crime rate in Nicetown-Tioga is 2,739 incidents per 1,000,000 inhabitants, which represents a staggering 329% higher than the national average! In 2021 alone, there were 2,737 incidents of violent crime reported in this neighbourhood. Sadly, gun violence remains a significant issue in this part of Philadelphia.

2. Hunting Park

Hunting Park, situated in North Philadelphia, is yet another notorious community for its high crime rate. It has a rich history, with many historic structures like the Clara Barton School. The population of Hunting Park is approximately 22,735 people, with a staggering 1,452 crimes committed per 100,000 people. This figure is a hundred per cent higher than the national average, making it one of the most violent neighbourhoods in Philadelphia. In 2021 alone, there were 1,506 reported incidents of violent crime in the area, primarily robbery and assault. Unfortunately, gun violence is also a significant problem in Hunting Park.

3. Strawberry Mansion

Located in North Philadelphia near Fairmount Park, Strawberry Mansion is a neighbourhood known for its high crime rate and dangerous reputation. With a population of 19,690, the area has a crime rate of 1,944 per 100,000 inhabitants. Unfortunately, in 2022, Philadelphia’s crime rate was ranked 162% higher than the national average, with a staggering 420% higher violent crime. Murder rates and gun violence are particularly prevalent in Strawberry Mansion, making it a concerning area to reside in or visit.

Car theft and carjacking are also considered violent crimes, as they can often become dangerous.

4. Fairhill

Fairhill, situated in the North Eastern part of Philadelphia, is considered one of the city’s most perilous areasy. The crime rate in this neighbourhood is incredibly high, with 1,545 incidents per 100,000 people as of 2022. Moreover, Fairhill is bordered by two other areas, namely Kensington and West Kensington. Kensington, in particular, is infamous for its rampant drug activities and is home to one of the largest open-air drug markets in the United States.

Fairhill has a staggering crime rate of 260% higher than the national average. The violent crime rate is even more alarming, 313% higher than the national average. To put it into perspective, there were 1,602 incidents of violent crime in Fairhill in 2021.

5. Alleghany West

Northeastern Philadelphia is home to Alleghany West, a community with 18,676 individuals. Unfortunately, in 2022, the crime rate in this area was recorded at 2,458 per 100,000 residents. The lack of investment in this part of the city has dramatically impacted its industrial history and overall development.

Alleghany West had a staggering 1,602 reported cases of violent crimes in the year 2021 alone. This puts the violent crime rate at an alarming 313% higher than the national average.

6. Harrowgate

Harrowgate, situated close to Alleghany, is home to around 17,456 people, but unfortunately, it has a high crime rate of 1,703 per 100,000 inhabitants. One of the biggest challenges this neighbourhood faces, similar to many others in Northeastern Philadelphia, is drug trafficking. Apart from that, violent crimes like gun violence, murders, robberies, and assaults are also prevalent, which is a matter of concern. Most violent crimes occur due to drug-related activities in the locality.

The violent crime rate in Harrowgate is alarmingly high, with 1,764 incidents reported in 2021 alone. This makes it 326% higher than the national average, indicating a severe issue that needs to be addressed.

7. Haddington-Carroll Park

Haddington-Carroll Park is considered one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in Philadelphia. This neighbourhood is situated in West Philadelphia and has a population of 35,068 residents. Shockingly, 1,588 crimes per 100,000 residents have been reported in Haddington-Carroll Park. It is a working-class neighbourhood bordered by Lansdowne Avenue and West Girard Avenue, which share a similar culture. In 2022, the overall crime rate in the city was 133% higher than the city average, making Haddington-Carroll Park an especially high-risk area.

8. Elmwood

Elmwood, situated in Southwest Philadelphia and bordering Delaware County, is infamous for its high violent crime rates, making it one of the most dangerous areas in Philadelphia. The neighbourhood has a population of 28,891, and the crime rate is a staggering 1,219 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022.

Despite not being ranked as one of the worst cities for gun violence and murder, Elmwood still faces its own set of challenges in this regard. In 2021, the violent crime rate in Elmwood was 225% higher than the national average, resulting in 1,262 reported incidents. These statistics highlight the ongoing issue of violence in the city and the need for continued efforts to address it.

9. Frankford

Frankford, situated in Northeast Philadelphia, is home to around 39,792 residents and has a crime rate of 1,369 crimes for every 100,000 people. This makes the overall crime rate 132% higher than the national average, with a whopping 266% higher rate of violent crimes. Shockingly, there were more than 1,400 reported incidents of violent crimes in Frankford in 2021, with assault and robbery being the most frequent.

10. North Central Philly

North Central Philadelphia is considered one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in Philly. It has a population of 21,880 and a crime rate of 1,982 per 100,000 people in 2022. The neighbourhood is situated in the Northern part of the city, near Temple University, and is notorious for its high crime rates. Although Temple University is recognized as a safe campus, it is surrounded by several high-crime areas, including North Central Philadelphia.

North Central had more than 2,000 incidents of violent crime in 2022, which is alarming. However, property crime is even more rampant in this area, with nearly 6,450 reported incidents in the same year. Shockingly, the property crime rate in North Central is 231% higher than the national average.

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Top 10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Philadelphia (2023)

Is Philadelphia Safe?