Olney
| Type | Neighborhood |
|---|---|
| Location | Northwest Philadelphia |
| ZIP code(s) | 19120, 19141 |
| Named for | Olney, England |
| Boundaries | Roughly Cheltenham Avenue to Wyoming Avenue, Broad Street to the west |
| Adjacent | Logan, Fern Rock, East Oak Lane, Feltonville |
| Major streets | Olney Avenue, North Broad Street, 5th Street |
| Transit | Broad Street Line (Olney Transportation Center), Bus Routes |
| Landmarks | Olney Transportation Center, Einstein Medical Center |
Olney is a diverse neighborhood in Northwest Philadelphia centered on the Olney Transportation Center, a major transit hub on the Broad Street Line. The neighborhood is one of Philadelphia's most ethnically diverse, with significant Korean, Vietnamese, Latino, and African-American populations. Olney Avenue serves as the commercial corridor, featuring international restaurants and shops reflecting the community's diversity.[1]
History
Early Development
Olney developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as Philadelphia expanded northward along the rail lines that would become the Broad Street Line. The neighborhood was named for Olney, England.
Ethnic Transitions
Olney has experienced several demographic transitions:
- Originally Jewish and Irish-American
- African-American community growth (mid-20th century)
- Korean immigration (1970s-1990s)
- Latino and Southeast Asian immigration (1990s-present)
Modern Era
Today, Olney is one of Philadelphia's most diverse neighborhoods:
- Korean businesses along 5th Street
- Vietnamese restaurants
- Latino markets
- African immigrant communities
- Multi-cultural character
Commercial Corridors
Olney Avenue
The main commercial corridor features:
- International restaurants
- Ethnic grocery stores
- Small businesses
- Service providers
North 5th Street
Known as Philadelphia's "Koreatown":
- Korean restaurants
- Korean grocery stores
- Korean businesses
- H Mart (supermarket)
Olney Transportation Center
The Olney Transportation Center is a major transit hub:
- Broad Street Line station
- Major bus terminal
- Thousands of daily passengers
- Commercial activity around station
Character
Architecture
- Rowhouses (predominant)
- Some larger homes
- Commercial buildings along corridors
- Apartment complexes
Community
- Highly diverse
- Immigrant communities
- Multi-generational families
- Strong faith communities
Living in Olney
Housing
- Affordable rowhouses
- Lower prices than Center City
- Mix of owner-occupied and rental
Demographics
- One of Philadelphia's most diverse neighborhoods
- Korean, Vietnamese, Latino, African-American communities
- African immigrants
- Multi-ethnic and multi-lingual
Getting There
Broad Street Line
- Olney Transportation Center*** - Major station
Bus Routes
Numerous routes connect at Olney Transportation Center.
See Also
References
- ↑ "Olney Diversity". Philadelphia Magazine. Retrieved December 22, 2025