Is Allegheny West safe?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates Allegheny West as “No-go after dark”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Allegheny West
“Go with care during daylight hours if visiting specific historic destinations such as Laurel Hill Cemetery or bordering Fairmount Park trails. Avoid casual exploration of residential side streets or walking late at night. The neighborhood struggles with elevated rates of violent crime, robbery, and property offenses.”
About the area
Allegheny West is an urban, historically industrial and residential neighborhood in North Philadelphia bordered by active rail lines and the Schuylkill River corridor. The community is characterized by dense blocks of historic brick rowhomes interspersed with commercial corridors and industrial infrastructure. It offers immediate access to major parkland but faces severe ongoing socioeconomic and public safety challenges.
- Urban Rowhome
- Historic
- Industrial Edge
- High Crime
Walking and biking in Allegheny West
Walk score: 78/100 · Bike score: 62/100
Indego bike-share stations are limited within the neighborhood interior, but cyclists enjoy close access to the Kelly Drive multi-use trail along the Schuylkill River just to the west.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Immediate access to historic landmark Laurel Hill Cemetery and the scenic East Fairmount Park border
- Direct connections to major transit corridors leading directly to Center City Philadelphia
- Significantly lower housing and rental costs compared to neighboring Northwest Philadelphia districts
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates remain substantially higher than city and national averages
- High poverty rate exceeding 30% alongside notable commercial corridor disinvestment
- Prevalence of vacant lots, illegal dumping, and neglected building stock on secondary blocks
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is present in modest numbers, primarily around transit hubs, under rail viaducts, and along commercial strips of Allegheny Avenue, with occasional panhandling at major traffic intersections.
What Allegheny West is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings see standard commuter and school transit foot traffic; walking along primary thoroughfares is generally manageable with normal situational awareness.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons are active around commercial intersections and bus stops; visitors should remain alert and avoid poorly maintained side streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity drops as dusk falls and street visibility lessens; walking alone is not recommended given higher robbery risks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late-night foot travel is unsafe and should be strictly avoided due to heightened risks of gun violence, narcotics activity, and street crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
SEPTA serves the area via Regional Rail at the nearby Allegheny Station and North Philadelphia Station, along with frequent service on bus routes 33, 60, and 61 along major corridors.
Street parking on residential rowhome blocks is free and generally unmetered, but finding an open spot can be challenging in the evenings, and leaving valuables in vehicles is highly discouraged.
Things to do in Allegheny West
- Explore the historic monuments, sculpture art, and river overlooks inside Laurel Hill Cemetery
- Visit the nearby Discovery Center at the East Park Reservoir for bird watching and ecology exhibits
- Jog or cycle along the perimeter trails connecting down to Kelly Drive and the Schuylkill River
Local favorites
- Laurel Hill Cemetery · Historic Site · 4.8★ (1450)A renowned 19th-century rural cemetery featuring elaborate Victorian mausoleums, guided history tours, and riverfront views.
- Down North Pizza · Pizza Restaurant · 4.7★ (620)Celebrated mission-driven pizzeria serving creative Detroit-style square pies while providing fair-wage culinary careers.
- Ridge Diner · Diner · 4.2★ (280)Unpretentious, longstanding neighborhood diner serving traditional breakfast platters and comfort-food lunch specials.
Neighborhoods near Allegheny West
Common questions about Allegheny West
Is Allegheny West safe to walk at night?
We don't recommend walking around casually after dark here; take a ride instead.
Is Allegheny West a good place to live?
On safety, Allegheny West scores 42/100 — among the lowest we score, so look closely at specific blocks before deciding to move.
How walkable is Allegheny West?
Walk score 78/100 and bike score 62/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Allegheny West are safer?
East Falls (80), Germantown, Southwest (56) score higher nearby.
Add this score to your site
Writing about Allegheny West? Copy this code to show its live safety score on your blog or listing.