Is Belmont (Philadelphia) safe?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Belmont (Philadelphia) as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Belmont (Philadelphia)
“Go with care if visiting specific destinations during the day, such as historic sites or businesses along Lancaster Avenue. The neighborhood faces elevated rates of violent and property crime alongside high poverty, making casual wandering or late-night visits ill-advised.”
About the area
Belmont is a historic, predominantly residential neighborhood in West Philadelphia situated just southwest of West Fairmount Park. It features dense traditional brick rowhouses, local storefronts along Lancaster and Belmont Avenues, and close proximity to major cultural institutions in adjacent parkland.
- Urban Rowhome Grid
- Historic
- Transit-Connected
- Developing Commercial
Walking and biking in Belmont (Philadelphia)
Walk score: 74/100 · Bike score: 68/100
Indego bike-share stations are available along Lancaster Avenue, providing easy bike connections to the Fairmount Park trail system and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Immediate access to West Fairmount Park, the Philadelphia Zoo, and the Mann Center for the Performing Arts
- Convenient public transit via SEPTA Route 10 and Route 15 trolley lines connecting into Center City
- Rich local architectural history with intact Victorian-era brick rowhouse blocks
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates remain significantly above both city and national medians
- High neighborhood poverty rate exceeding 35% with persistent economic distress
- Noticeable residential vacancies, blighted structures, and litter on some interior blocks
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present, primarily clustered around major transit stops, underpasses, and commercial corners along Lancaster Avenue and Girard Avenue.
What Belmont (Philadelphia) is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active with residents commuting and children walking to school; generally calm along main avenues.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Moderate foot traffic and transit activity around Lancaster Avenue; stay mindful of surroundings on quieter side streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Commercial activity winds down quickly and street activity thins out; walking alone after dark is not recommended.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet but high risk for opportunistic property crimes, robberies, and street violence; avoid walking.
Transit, parking and getting around
SEPTA serves the area extensively via the Route 10 trolley along Lancaster Avenue and Route 15 on Girard Avenue, with multiple bus routes including the 38, 40, and 43 connecting to the 40th Street Market-Frankford Line subway station roughly 0.8 miles away.
Free unmetered street parking is widely available on residential side streets during the day, though spaces become competitive in the evening; there are no commercial parking garages in the neighborhood.
Things to do in Belmont (Philadelphia)
- Tour the historic Belmont Mansion and Underground Railroad Museum in adjacent West Fairmount Park
- Browse local arts, pop-up events, and community eateries along the Lancaster Avenue commercial corridor
- Access the scenic multi-use trails and skyline viewpoints across the Belmont Plateau
Local favorites
- Belmont Mansion & Underground Railroad Museum · Historic Site · 4.6★ (195)An 18th-century estate hosting exhibits dedicated to the Underground Railroad and African American history.
- Taco Taco Mexican · Mexican Restaurant · 4.4★ (140)A casual local spot along Lancaster Avenue serving authentic tacos, burritos, and Mexican platters.
- Irie Caribbean Restaurant · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.2★ (185)A neighborhood mainstay dishing out hearty portions of jerk chicken, oxtail, and curried goat.
Neighborhoods near Belmont (Philadelphia)
Common questions about Belmont (Philadelphia)
Is Belmont (Philadelphia) safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Belmont (Philadelphia) a good place to live?
On safety, Belmont (Philadelphia) scores 45/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Belmont (Philadelphia)?
Walk score 74/100 and bike score 68/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Belmont (Philadelphia) are safer?
West Powelton (64), East Parkside (53), West Parkside (52) score higher nearby.
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