List of Philadelphia neighborhoods facts for kids

An unofficial map showing the many neighborhoods of Philadelphia.

How Philadelphia is divided into planning sections.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a big city in the United States. Like many large cities, it's made up of many smaller areas called neighborhoods and districts. This article will help you explore some of these cool places!

Sometimes, the names people use for neighborhoods don't exactly match the "official" maps used by the city. This means some areas might overlap, and people might not always agree on where one neighborhood ends and another begins. Philadelphia also has 41 ZIP codes, which are often used to study different areas.

Long ago, many neighborhoods were separate towns or boroughs before they became part of Philadelphia in 1854. Today, local groups like community organizations help define and name these areas. For planning, the city divides itself into 18 main sections.

Center City: The Heart of Philadelphia

Philadelphia City Hall stands tall in Center City.

Center City is the main downtown area of Philadelphia. It stretches from South Street in the south to Vine Street in the north. On the east, it reaches the Delaware River, and on the west, it goes to the Schuylkill River. This area is full of important buildings, shops, and cultural spots.

Some of the neighborhoods you'll find here include:

South Philadelphia: History and Sports

South Philadelphia is located south of Center City. It's bordered by South Street to the north and the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. This part of the city is known for its rich history, diverse communities, and famous sports stadiums.

Here are some neighborhoods in South Philadelphia:

Southwest Philadelphia: Near the Airport

Philadelphia International Airport is located in Southwest Philadelphia.

Southwest Philadelphia is located west of the Schuylkill River. Its borders extend to the city line. This area includes the Philadelphia International Airport.

Some neighborhoods in Southwest Philadelphia are:

West Philadelphia: "West Philly"

West Philadelphia, often called "West Philly," is a well-known part of the city. It stretches from the western side of the Schuylkill River to the city line.

Row houses are a common sight in West Philadelphia, like these on 48th and Walton Streets in Cedar Park.

Here are some of the neighborhoods in West Philadelphia:

North Philadelphia: Two Main Sections

North Philadelphia is divided into two main parts: Lower North and Upper North.

Lower North Philadelphia

Lower North Philadelphia is just north of Center City. It was once part of a special program to help overcome poverty. This area is bordered by Spring Garden Street to the south and Fairmount Park to the west.

Neighborhoods in Lower North Philadelphia include:

Upper North Philadelphia

The Lillian Marrero Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library in West Kensington.

Upper North Philadelphia is just north of Lower North Philadelphia. This area has a large and growing Puerto Rican population. Its borders are York Street to the south and Fairmount Park to the west.

Some communities in Upper North Philadelphia are:

Roxborough-Manayunk: Northwest Charm

The skyline of Manayunk along the river.

The Roxborough-Manayunk section is an official planning district in Philadelphia. It's located northwest of Center City. This area includes the well-known neighborhoods of Roxborough and Manayunk.

Neighborhoods here include:

Germantown-Chestnut Hill: Historic "Uptown"

This section, sometimes called "Uptown," is about 7-8 miles northwest of the city center. The neighborhood of Germantown is full of historic sites from the colonial era. Chestnut Hill was part of an old German township.

This area was a popular summer vacation spot long ago because of its higher elevation and cooler temperatures. Chestnut Hill is still known as one of Philadelphia's more well-off areas.

Neighborhoods in this section are:

Olney-Oak Lane: North of Upper North

The Olney-Oak Lane section is an official planning area in Philadelphia. It's located just north of Upper North Philadelphia and south of Cheltenham. This area was once a separate township called "Bristol Township." People sometimes call it "Uptown" along with the Germantown-Chestnut Hill section.

This section includes neighborhoods in the center-north of the city:

River Wards: Along the Delaware River

The River Wards section of Philadelphia is located northeast of Center City, right along the Delaware River.

Neighborhoods within the River Wards include:

Northeast Philadelphia: Two Large Sections

Northeast Philadelphia is a very large part of the city, often divided into "Near Northeast" and "Far Northeast." Together, these areas have a big percentage of Philadelphia's population. Since the 1980s, many families have moved to the suburbs, but new people have moved in. The Northeast is now very diverse, with many Hispanic, African American, and Asian residents.

Near Northeast Philadelphia

Richmond Street is a main road in Port Richmond.

This is one of the two main sections of Northeast Philadelphia.

Here are some neighborhoods in Near Northeast Philadelphia:

Far Northeast Philadelphia

Bustleton and Byberry Streets in Somerton.

Far Northeast Philadelphia is an official planning section located north of the Near Northeast section.

Neighborhoods in Far Northeast Philadelphia include: