South Philadelphia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids South Philadelphia
Neighborhood
South Philadelphia as seen from the One Liberty Observation Deck in May 2017
South Philadelphia highlighted on a map of Philadelphia County
Country	United States of America
State	Pennsylvania
County	Philadelphia
City	Philadelphia
Area
• Total	9.7 sq mi (25 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	175,717 (estimated)
ZIP Codes	19112, 19145, 19146, 19147, 19148
Area code(s)	267, 215, 445

South Philadelphia, often called South Philly, is a vibrant part of Philadelphia. It is bordered by South Street to the north. The Delaware River is to its east and south. The Schuylkill River is to its west.

South Philly is known for its many different neighborhoods. It is home to a large Italian-American community. You will also find many Asian American, Irish-American, African-American, and Latino people living here.

A Look Back at South Philadelphia's History

Gloria Dei Church, a historic landmark in South Philly

South Philadelphia started as small towns near Philadelphia. These included places like Moyamensing and Southwark.

During the First Industrial Revolution, the area grew very quickly. Many people moved here for factory and dock work. Irish refugees also came after the Great Irish Hunger. South Philadelphia eventually joined with the main city of Philadelphia. This happened in 1854.

The area kept growing, becoming a key part of Philadelphia's industry. Immigrants from Italy, Ireland, and Poland arrived in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many Black Americans also moved here from the southern United States. This was during the Great Migration.

These new residents helped create South Philadelphia's unique culture. Many Irish immigrants built Irish Catholic churches and schools. Later, Italian and Polish immigrants, who were also Catholic, built their own churches.

Many Polish Jews and other Jews also settled in South Philadelphia. This happened in the early 1900s. They lived in diverse areas like Queen Village. A smaller Greek community also grew. They built Greek Orthodox churches. Lebanese immigrants also started Maronite churches.

New residents brought their traditions from their home countries. Many churches reflected these different cultures. For example, Coptic Orthodox Christian churches were built in the 1960s.

Today, many South Philadelphia communities are still largely Italian Americans. You can find both older and newer Italian immigrants here. Italian festivals, like the South 9th Street Italian Market festival, are very popular.

South Philadelphia also has many Irish American and African American communities. Pennsport is a mainly Irish-American neighborhood. Point Breeze is a center for African American communities.

More recently, people have moved here from Asia, especially Southeast Asia. This includes people from Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Thailand. There are also more immigrants from Russia, Mexico, and Central America. Today, the Italian Market has vendors from Asian and Mexican backgrounds. You can find many different restaurants there too.

Some northern parts of South Philadelphia, like Queen Village, are becoming more expensive. This is because more young professionals are moving into the area.

Many clubs for the annual Mummers Parade are from South Philadelphia. These clubs are often found on S. 2nd Street in the Pennsport neighborhood. This street is sometimes called "Two Street."

South Philadelphia's Location and Areas

South Philadelphia covers about 9.7 square miles of land. It is bordered by South Street to the north. The Delaware and Schuylkill rivers form its other borders. The area is split into South Philadelphia West and South Philadelphia East by Broad Street.

Neighborhoods to Explore

A former factory turned into homes in Lower Moyamensing

South Philadelphia has many unique neighborhoods, including:

• Bella Vista
• Cambodia Town
• Central South Philadelphia
• Devil's Pocket
• Dickinson Square West
• East Passyunk Crossing
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park
• Girard Estate
• Greenwich
• Grays Ferry
• Hawthorne
• Italian Market
• Little Saigon
• Lower Moyamensing
• Marconi Plaza
• Moyamensing
• Newbold
• Packer Park
• Passyunk Square
• Pennsport
• Point Breeze
• Queen Village
• Schuylkill
• Southwark
• Southwest Center City
• Sports Complex
• West Passyunk
• Wharton
• Whitman

Who Lives in South Philadelphia?

Row houses, a common type of home in South Philly

In 2010, about 168,782 people lived in South Philadelphia. The area is known for its large Italian population. But it also has many Irish, African American, and Mexican residents. There are growing numbers of Vietnamese, Chinese, Cambodian, Indonesian, Thai, and Central American people. Smaller Greek, Jewish, and Maronite Lebanese communities also live here.

Experts say South Philadelphia has become more diverse over the past few decades. Many people born in China now live in South Philadelphia.

As of 2010, the population density was about 16,771 people per square mile. About 46.6% of the people are male, and 53.4% are female.

Diverse Communities

• White (not Hispanic): 51.8%
• African-American: 25.7%
• Asian: 12.4%
• Hispanic or Latino: 7.6%
• Mixed or Other: 6.1%
• American Indian: 0.3%

Italian Heritage

The largest and oldest Italian communities in Philadelphia are in South Philadelphia. Most Italian immigrants came from southern Italy in the 1900s. Many came from regions like Abruzzo, Molise, Sicily, and Campania. Even today, people in South Philadelphia speak dialects from these regions mixed with English.

Italian Americans in South Philadelphia have added a lot to the city's culture. They started the Italian Market. They also helped create the famous cheesesteak and hoagie. They introduced Italian roast pork sandwiches, water ice, tomato pie, and pizza to Philadelphia's food scene.

The first Italian Catholic church in the U.S., St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi, was founded here in 1852.

Irish Roots

Many Irish people in South Philadelphia live in the eastern part of the area. This includes Pennsport and Whitman. Pennsport is often called "Two Street." It is a well-known Irish neighborhood. Many of the city's Mummers clubs, which have Irish American themes, are based here. Other Irish neighborhoods are in the northwest, like Grays Ferry and Devil's Pocket.

Mexican Community

As of 2000, the largest Mexican community in Philadelphia was in South Philadelphia. Most Mexicans in South Philadelphia come from the state of Puebla in Mexico.

African American Presence

African Americans have lived in South Philadelphia for a long time. Many came from the South during the Great Migration in the early 1900s. South Street was once a cultural center for this community. Later, the community grew in areas like Point Breeze and Southwest Center City.

Famous South Philadelphians include opera singer Marian Anderson and musicians Kenny Gamble and Chubby Checker. The Odunde Festival, a large African-American celebration, happens every year in the South Street area.

Getting Around South Philadelphia

SEPTA's NRG station, a subway stop in South Philly

The Walt Whitman Bridge connects South Philadelphia to South Jersey

The SEPTA Broad Street Line subway serves South Philadelphia. It offers quick travel to Center City and North Philadelphia. Many SEPTA bus routes also run through South Philadelphia. They help people get to and from Center City and nearby areas.

I-95 runs north and south through South Philadelphia. It connects to Philadelphia International Airport, I-76, the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, and the Walt Whitman Bridge.

I-76 becomes the Schuylkill Expressway in South Philadelphia. This highway connects the area to University City, Center City, and the western suburbs.

PA Route 291 is another important road. It links South Philadelphia to Delaware County. Broad Street is part of PA Route 611.

South Philadelphia has bike lanes on many streets. Snyder Avenue has east and west bike lanes. Columbus Boulevard has north and south bike lanes that are separate from car traffic.

Learning in South Philadelphia

Schools for All Ages

Public Schools

The School District of Philadelphia serves residents here. High schools in South Philadelphia include South Philadelphia High School, Audenried High School, and Furness High School.

There are also public magnet schools in South Philadelphia. These include Academy at Palumbo, Girard Academic Music Program, and The Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA).

The Mastery Charter Schools system runs the Thomas School (grades 7–12).

Private Schools

Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School is in South Philadelphia. There are also several Catholic elementary schools. The Philadelphia Free School is also located here.

Public Libraries

The Free Library of Philadelphia has six branches in South Philadelphia:

• Charles Santore
• Fumo Family
• Queen Memorial
• South Philadelphia
• Thomas F. Donatucci Sr.
• Whitman

• 

  Donatucci Branch

• 

  Fumo Branch

• 

  Santore Branch

Cool Places to See in South Philadelphia

The South Philadelphia Sports Complex with sports stadiums

Geno's Steaks in South Philadelphia, famous for cheesesteaks

South Street is a lively area with many bars, shops, and restaurants. You can find live music venues here too.

The intersection of 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue is famous for its cheesesteak shops. These include Geno's Steaks and Pat's King of Steaks. Nearby is the open-air Italian Market. It sells fresh produce, meats, and other foods. This area was even featured in the Rocky movies!

One of the biggest landmarks is the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. It is at Broad Street and Pattison Avenue. This is where Philadelphia's major sports teams play. The Philadelphia Phillies (baseball), Philadelphia Eagles (football), Philadelphia 76ers (basketball), and Philadelphia Flyers (ice hockey) all have their homes here. The complex includes Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field, and the Wells Fargo Center. You can also find Xfinity Live! Philadelphia here, which has dining and entertainment.

The Sports Complex used to have other stadiums too. These included Veterans Stadium, John F. Kennedy Stadium, and the Spectrum.

Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia is also near the Sports Complex. It has many games, a hotel, restaurants, and an event center.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park (FDR Park) is a large park along the Delaware River. It covers about 348 acres. The American Swedish Historical Museum is located inside this park.

The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard is in South Philadelphia along the Delaware River. It used to be a major employer, building and repairing ships. Now, the area is being redeveloped for different businesses.

The Sunoco oil company has its main office on Passyunk Avenue.

Columbus Commons is a shopping area near the Walt Whitman Bridge. It has large stores and chain restaurants.

Washington Avenue, between 16th Street and Front Street, has many Asian businesses. These include Vietnamese, Chinese, and Korean restaurants and shops.

Passyunk Avenue is a street that is becoming popular again. Many new coffee shops, restaurants, and bars have opened here. There is also a farmers' market on Wednesday nights.

The 2300 Arena (also known as the ECW Arena) is a venue that hosts boxing and wrestling events.

Famous People from South Philadelphia