Philadelphia, a vibrant and culturally rich city, ranks fifth in the U.S. and second on the Eastern Seaboard. It boasts diverse neighborhoods with world-class entertainment and culinary offerings. However, it faces contrasts, with some areas grappling, making them worst neighborhoods in Philadelphia, with crime rates 55% higher than the national average.
Here’s a list of the worst neighborhoods in Philadelphia;
First on the list of the worst neighborhoods in Philadelphia is Tioga-Nicetown. Tioga-Nicetown, despite its name, is a challenging neighborhood located in the northern part of Philadelphia. It’s often regarded as the worst area in the city. This community faced significant hardships during World War II, with deindustrialization and white flight contributing to high poverty levels.
Although there was a brief period of gentrification that raised home prices to around $42,000, they later fell to $22,000. Currently, the area has a population of 17,382, with a median home value of $58,569 and a median income of $24,935.
Next on the list, Hunting Park, another of Philadelphia’s worst neighborhoods, grapples with a high crime rate, primarily attributed to gang-related activities. It houses both local street gangs and more organized groups like the Latin Kings and Black Mafia.
While once considered the heart of the community, the neighborhood’s situation has deteriorated over time. Incidents like a man being shot after winning $10,000 in a local lottery highlight its challenges. Despite these difficulties, Hunting Park boasts several historical structures, including the Bayard Tailor School, K. McClure School, and Clara Barton School. Currently, the area has a population of 22,735, with a median home value of $57,200 and a median income of $23,587.
Lastly, Strawberry Mansion, one of the worst neighborhoods in Philadelphia, is located on the east side of Fairmount Park in North Philadelphia. It derives its name from the well-known Strawberry Mansion situated nearby. Unfortunately, this area earned the classification of being the fifth worst neighborhood in Philadelphia last year, with a crime rate of 1,944 incidents per 100,000 inhabitants.