Philadelphia Neighborhoods Guide

Philadelphia neighborhoods are the named communities, such as Fishtown, Germantown and Point Breeze, that residents use to describe where they live. Unlike wards, Council districts and police districts, neighborhoods have no official legal boundaries, so the names and borders people use often differ by source. This guide summarizes the main regions and the government units that overlay them. ^[1]

1 Neighborhoods versus government boundaries

Several overlapping maps govern a Philadelphia address. There are 66 political wards (see Council Districts and Wards), ten Council districts, police divisions and districts, school catchments, ZIP codes, and the Planning Commission's planning districts. A person can live in one neighborhood, one ward and a different Council district than neighbors a few blocks away. The Planning Commission and others note that common usage does not respect the official borders, and residents do not always agree where one neighborhood ends. ^[1]

2 The regions

Common groupings, which are customary rather than legal, include:

Center City, the downtown and Rittenhouse, Washington Square West, Old City, Logan Square and Fairmount areas, with the city's densest employment (see Center City District). South Philadelphia, including Passyunk, Bella Vista, Queen Village, Pennsport, Point Breeze and Grays Ferry, plus the Sports Complex (see Sports Teams and Public Subsidy). Southwest Philadelphia, including Eastwick and the airport area (see Philadelphia International Airport). West Philadelphia, including University City, Cedar Park, Spruce Hill and Cobbs Creek, near large campuses (see Eds and Meds Anchor Institutions). Northwest Philadelphia, including Germantown, Mount Airy, Chestnut Hill and Roxborough-Manayunk. North Philadelphia, including Brewerytown, Strawberry Mansion, Cecil B. Moore, Sharswood, Norris Square and Kensington areas. The River Wards, along the Delaware, including Fishtown, Port Richmond and Bridesburg. Northeast and Far Northeast Philadelphia, including Fox Chase, Rhawnhurst, Mayfair, Tacony and Somerton, which are largely rowhouse and single-family areas with their own civic traditions. ^[2]

3 Planning districts

The Planning Commission divides the city into 18 planning districts and prepares district plans that translate the citywide comprehensive plan to clusters of similar neighborhoods. The districts are Upper Far Northeast, Lower Far Northeast, Central Northeast, Lower Northeast, North Delaware River Wards, Upper North, Lower North, North, Central, Lower Northwest, Upper Northwest, West Park, West, Lower South, South, Lower Southwest, University Southwest and River Wards. A community planner is assigned to each district. District plans guide future zoning remapping and investment. ^[2]

4 Who speaks for a neighborhood

Several kinds of organizations claim to represent neighborhoods: civic and neighborhood associations and zoning-designated Registered Community Organizations (see Civic and Neighborhood Associations), community development corporations, business associations, congregations (see Faith Communities and Black Clergy), and ward committee people (see Ward Leaders and Committeepersons). Their views can differ, and none has exclusive authority. Neighborhood wealth, housing costs, school quality and public-safety conditions vary widely across regions, which makes issues like displacement, tax abatement and school closures play out differently by place.

5 Finding your representatives and services

To find your Council district, ward and elected officials, see How to Find Your Elected Officials. For service requests, use Philly311. To get started on local organizing, see How to Organize a Block or Neighborhood Group.

See also: Philadelphia Overview, Council Districts and Wards, Philadelphia Political History.

References

1. City of Philadelphia Planning Commission, "Community planners by district" (phila.gov); Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, "Philadelphia Planning Districts" map.
2. Philadelphia GeoHistory Network, "Philadelphia regions"; U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census.