Kensington
| Type | Neighborhood |
|---|---|
| Location | River Wards |
| ZIP code(s) | 19122, 19125, 19133, 19134 |
| Established | 1730 (Kensington District) |
| Named for | Kensington, London |
| Boundaries | Roughly Lehigh Avenue to Girard Avenue, Delaware River to 5th Street |
| Adjacent | Fishtown, Port Richmond, Northern Liberties, Fairhill |
| Major streets | Kensington Avenue, Allegheny Avenue, Front Street |
| Transit | Market-Frankford Line (multiple stations) |
| Landmarks | Kensington Avenue, historic industrial buildings |
Kensington is a large neighborhood in the River Wards section of Philadelphia, historically one of the city's great industrial centers. The neighborhood's story is one of dramatic transformation—from a thriving manufacturing district employing tens of thousands, to an area devastated by deindustrialization, to a community grappling with one of the nation's most severe opioid crises while parts experience significant redevelopment.[1]
Kensington's complexity defies simple characterization. It contains areas of active development and new investment alongside blocks facing profound challenges. The neighborhood's future remains uncertain but is the subject of intense community organizing, city attention, and private investment.
History
Industrial Heyday
Kensington developed as an industrial powerhouse in the 19th and early 20th centuries:
- Textile manufacturing - One of world's largest textile centers
- Carpet mills - Major carpet production
- Shipbuilding - Along Delaware River
- Metal works - Various manufacturing
At its peak, Kensington employed tens of thousands of workers and was one of the most productive industrial districts in America.
Immigration
Kensington attracted waves of immigrants:
- Irish (mid-1800s)
- German (late 1800s)
- Polish (late 1800s-early 1900s)
- Puerto Rican (mid-1900s)
These communities built churches, organizations, and tight-knit neighborhood identities.
Decline
Deindustrialization devastated Kensington beginning in the 1950s:
- Textile mills closed or relocated
- Jobs disappeared
- Population declined
- Poverty increased
The neighborhood lost much of its economic base over several decades.
Opioid Crisis
Kensington has become a national symbol of the opioid epidemic. The intersection of Kensington and Allegheny avenues and surrounding blocks became an open-air drug market drawing people from across the region.
The crisis has:
- Caused hundreds of overdose deaths annually
- Created encampments of unhoused people
- Strained neighborhood resources
- Prompted city intervention efforts
Neighborhoods Within Kensington
The broader Kensington area contains distinct sub-neighborhoods:
Fishtown (Adjacent)
Technically separate, Fishtown is sometimes grouped with Kensington but has gentrified significantly.
East Kensington
Transitional area between Fishtown and Kensington proper, experiencing significant new development.
West Kensington
Area west of Kensington Avenue with strong Puerto Rican community.
Norris Square
Centered on Norris Square Park, a center of Puerto Rican cultural activities.
Community and Culture
Resilience
Kensington communities have shown remarkable resilience:
- Strong neighborhood associations
- Community development corporations
- Urban farms and gardens
- Arts organizations
- Mutual aid networks
Puerto Rican Heritage
Western Kensington has a significant Puerto Rican community:
- Cultural organizations
- Latino-owned businesses
- Spanish-language institutions
- Community festivals
Arts
- Mural Arts projects
- Artist collectives
- Community galleries
Redevelopment
Parts of Kensington are experiencing significant investment:
East Kensington
- New apartment construction
- Restaurant and bar openings
- Rising property values
Industrial Conversions
Former factories converted to:
- Artists' studios
- Loft apartments
- Commercial space
Concerns
Development raises concerns about:
- Displacement of long-term residents
- Gentrification pressures
- Loss of affordable housing
- Community character changes
Getting There
Market-Frankford Line
The "El" runs through Kensington:
- Berks Station
- York-Dauphin Station
- Huntingdon Station
- Somerset Station
- Allegheny Station
Bus Routes
Multiple SEPTA bus routes serve the neighborhood.
See Also
References
- ↑ "Kensington's drug crisis". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved December 22, 2025