by Maneesha Srivastava

Created on: June 19, 2008   Last Updated: December 05, 2008

There is no definitive list of the Philadelphia's neighborhoods. Let's tale a capsule look at the major areas of Philadelphia that we'll be examining.

Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Fairmount Park

The area on both sides of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from City Hall to the Philadelphia Art Museum is home to many of the cities museums, such as the Franklin Institute, Museum of Natural History and the Rodin Museum. It is also where you can find the main branch of the Philadelphia Library.

Bridesburg-Kensington-Richmond

Encompassing many of the river wards just north of Center City, this area consists of the areas of the city known as Bridesburg, Fishtown, Juniata Park, New Kensington, North West Kensington, Port Richmond and Richmond.

Center City

The Center City area of Philadelphia is the area where most suburban residents work, and where most tourists visit. It is home to most of the large businesses in the city.

Manayunk and Roxborough

Nestled along the east bank of the Schuylkill River in northwest Philadelphia are the neighborhoods of Manayunk and Roxborough.

Named for the Lenape Indian word "manaiung" meaning, "where we go to drink", Manayunk developed due to its proximity to the river and the completion of the Manayunk Canal. Manayunk was once home to numerous textile and paper mills and served as a major transportation link to the port of Philadelphia and inland to the farmlands of Pennsylvania.

Northeast Philadelphia

The area generally referred to as Northeast Philadelphia consists of two major sections, the Far Northeast and the Near Northeast. Within the Far Northeast are places with names like Bustleton, Byberry, Upper Holmesburg, Pennypack, and Torresdale. The Near Northeast is home to such places as Foxchase, Frankford, Holmesburg Lawndale, Lexington, Mayfair, Oxford Circle, Tacony and Wissinoming.

Over 400,000 people reside in this area of Philadelphia. The population is overwhelming white (92%).

North Philadelphia

An expansive area of the city north of Center City and south of Olney-Oak Lane, North Philadelphia consists of numerous places with names like Fairmount, Hunting Park, Ludlow, Nicetown, Northern Liberties, Spring Garden, Strawberry Mansion, Temple University, Tioga and West Kensington.

South Philadelphia

South Philadelphia is one of the most expansive neighborhoods of Philadelphia and one that, in reality, is made up of many smaller neighborhoods bearing such names as Grays Ferry, East Oregon, Hawthorne, Marconi Plaza, Packer Park, Passyunk, Pennsport, Point Breeze, Queens Village, Tasker and many more.

Southwest Philadelphia

The area of the city known as Southwest Philadelphia is one of the more racially diverse areas of the city. With over 80,000 residents, southwest Philadelphia is 36% white and 60% black.

Southwest Philadelphia includes the areas of Bartram, Eastwick, Elmwood Park, Hedgerow, Kingsessing, Penrose Park, Schuylkill and the industrial areas near the Philadelphia airport.

West Philadelphia

Beginning at the west bank of the Schuylkill River, West Philadelphia is a widely divergent community.

In the area closest to Center City lie many of the city's major colleges and universities including Drexel University, the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science and the University of Pennsylvania.
City Avenue serves as the northwestern boundary of West Philadelphia. Here you will find St. Joseph's University as well as major areas of Fairmount Park. The Philadelphia Zoo and Mann Music Center, while in Fairmount Park are also in West Philadelphia.

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