North Philadelphia
| Type | Region |
|---|---|
| Location | Philadelphia |
| ZIP code(s) | 19121, 19122, 19123, 19130, 19132, 19133, 19140 |
| Boundaries | Roughly Spring Garden Street to Cheltenham Township, Broad Street to the Schuylkill |
| Major streets | North Broad Street, Germantown Avenue, Ridge Avenue |
| Transit | Broad Street Line, SEPTA Regional Rail, bus routes |
| Landmarks | Temple University, Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art, North Broad Street |
North Philadelphia is a region of Philadelphia located north of Center City. The area encompasses a diverse mix of neighborhoods, from the institutional presence of Temple University to historic Fairmount and economically challenged areas in the north. North Philadelphia has experienced cycles of growth and decline, and today combines areas of active development with communities facing poverty, disinvestment, and violence.[1]
Geography
North Philadelphia extends from approximately Spring Garden Street north to the city's edge near Cheltenham Township. The region includes neighborhoods with vastly different characters.
Institutional Areas
- Temple University area - University campus and surrounding blocks
- Fairmount - Near the Art Museum
- Brewerytown - Rapidly developing
Residential Neighborhoods
- Strawberry Mansion - Historic but challenged
- Francisville - Small transitional neighborhood
- Yorktown - North Central area
- Hunting Park - Named for the park
- Logan - Residential area
Challenged Areas
Some North Philadelphia neighborhoods face severe challenges:
- Poverty and unemployment
- Crime and violence
- Vacant properties
- Disinvestment
North Broad Street
North Broad Street is the region's primary corridor:
- Temple University campus
- Divine Lorraine Hotel (redeveloped)
- Historic theaters
- Commercial development
- Mixed investment patterns
Temple University
Temple University is North Philadelphia's major institution:
- ~40,000 students
- Major employer
- Campus expansion
- Community relations efforts
History
Industrial Era
North Philadelphia was a major manufacturing center:
- Textile mills
- Breweries
- Various factories
- Working-class employment
Decline
Deindustrialization and population loss:
- Factory closures
- Middle-class exodus
- Poverty concentration
- Infrastructure deterioration
Recent Developments
Mixed patterns of change:
- Temple University expansion
- Brewery town gentrification
- North Broad Street investment
- Persistent challenges in many areas
Neighborhoods
Developing
- Fairmount - Victorian, near Art Museum
- Brewerytown - Active development
- Francisville - Small, transitional
Institutional
- Temple University Area*** - Campus and surroundings
- Spring Garden - Edge of Center City
Challenged
- Strawberry Mansion - Historic but struggling
- Hunting Park - Working-class
- Nicetown-Tioga*** - Industrial legacy
- Fairhill - Puerto Rican community
Getting There
Broad Street Line
The Broad Street Line runs through North Philadelphia:
- Multiple stations along North Broad Street
- Connection to Center City
Regional Rail
Temple University Station serves the campus area.
Bus Routes
Multiple bus routes serve the region.
See Also
References
- ↑ "North Philadelphia". Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved December 22, 2025