Is Franklin Mills safe?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Franklin Mills as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Franklin Mills
“Go. Franklin Mills is a relatively safe commercial and residential district in Far Northeast Philadelphia, best known for value shopping and big-box retail. Visitors mainly encounter heavy suburban vehicular traffic and standard retail-related property crime, so standard precautions like locking your car and keeping valuables out of sight are recommended.”
About the area
Located at the northeastern edge of Philadelphia along the Bucks County border, Franklin Mills centers around a massive enclosed outlet mall and sprawling strip centers. Surrounding the commercial core are quiet, mid-century working- and middle-class residential communities such as Parkwood and Chalfont.
- Suburban Retail Hub
- Car-Dependent
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet Residential
Walking and biking in Franklin Mills
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 40/100
Indego bike-share does not operate this far northeast, though cyclists can access the paved multi-use Poquessing Creek Trail nearby.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than Philadelphia citywide benchmarks.
- Solid middle-income economic profile with low residential vacancy and a poverty rate around 10-12%.
- Abundant free parking and rapid transit access to I-95 and US-1.
Cons
- Elevated property crime rates, especially retail shoplifting, vehicle break-ins, and catalytic converter theft in vast surface lots.
- Very car-dominated infrastructure with high-speed arterials like Knights Road and Franklin Mills Circle that are hostile to pedestrians.
- Large, sparsely lit commercial parking areas can feel desolate and vulnerable late at night.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in the neighborhood, with only occasional panhandling observed near major highway ramps and shopping center entrances on Knights Road.
What Franklin Mills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and quiet with steady commuter traffic along Woodhaven Road and mall employees arriving.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active and busy with retail shoppers, family traffic, and crowded retail parking plazas.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Moderately lively near restaurants and the movie theater, but quiet in the surrounding residential streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Commercial zones empty out significantly; walking alone through expansive, dark parking lots is not advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
SEPTA serves the area directly via the Philadelphia Mills bus transfer center, with Routes 20, 50, and 67 providing connections to the Frankford Transportation Center and the Trenton Regional Rail Line at Torresdale Station.
Parking is abundant and universally free across massive surface lots surrounding the mall and adjacent shopping centers.
Things to do in Franklin Mills
- Shop bargain and outlet stores across the sprawling concourses of Philadelphia Mills Mall.
- Watch first-run blockbusters in reclining luxury seats at the AMC Philadelphia Mills 14 multiplex.
- Enjoy outdoor walking and recreation along the nearby Poquessing Creek Trail.
Local favorites
- AMC Philadelphia Mills 14 · Movie Theater · 4.2★ (3450)Suburban multiplex featuring IMAX screens, reserved recliner seating, and a full concession stand.
- Dave & Buster's · Arcade & Sports Bar · 4.1★ (3120)Lively entertainment complex offering arcade games, sports viewing, and classic American casual fare.
- Grand China Buffet · Chinese Restaurant · 4.1★ (1820)Spacious buffet eatery serving classic Chinese dishes, sushi, and seafood inside the mall area.
Neighborhoods near Franklin Mills
Common questions about Franklin Mills
Is Franklin Mills safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is Franklin Mills a good place to live?
On safety, Franklin Mills scores 75/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is Franklin Mills?
Walk score 52/100 and bike score 40/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Franklin Mills are safer?
Eddington Gardens (80), Millbrook (Philadelphia) (80), Parkwood Manor (80) score higher nearby.
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