Is Ogontz safe?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Ogontz as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Ogontz
“Go with care. Ogontz is primarily a working-class residential neighborhood that holds little standard tourist appeal, though it offers genuine community-oriented Caribbean and soul food eateries. Visitors should exercise caution and maintain heightened situational awareness, particularly after dark and around major transit hubs.”
About the area
Ogontz is an urban neighborhood in North/Northwest Philadelphia dominated by historic brick rowhouses and active commercial strips along Ogontz and Broad corridors. It is a tightly packed community with deep local roots, situated just north of the Olney transit hub.
- Urban Residential
- Working-Class
- Dense Rowhomes
- Transit-Connected
Walking and biking in Ogontz
Walk score: 78/100 · Bike score: 55/100
Bike lanes are sparse on main thoroughfares, Indego bike-share stations are limited in this area, and connecting to trail networks like the Tacony Creek or Wissahickon requires navigating heavy traffic.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Established residential blocks with active community and block associations
- Rich selection of authentic Caribbean and Southern-style dining spots
- Close proximity to the Broad Street Line via Olney Transportation Center for rapid Center City access
Cons
- Violent and property crime rates remain significantly above national averages
- Poverty rate exceeds 20% with pockets of economic distress
- Elevated risk of auto theft, package theft, and street robbery after dark
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal on residential side streets, but individuals experiencing homelessness or panhandling are regularly present around the Olney Transportation Center and commercial retail plazas.
What Ogontz is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Streets are lively with school children and commuters waiting at bus stops, feeling generally orderly.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Ogontz Avenue experiences steady retail foot traffic, though standard urban vigilance is recommended.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Streets clear out quickly as residents return home; stick to well-lit main avenues.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late-night walking is not advised due to heightened risk of street robberies and low visibility.
Transit, parking and getting around
SEPTA serves the neighborhood via multiple bus lines (including Routes 6 and XH), and the Olney Transportation Center on the Broad Street Line is a 10-to-15 minute walk or quick bus transfer away.
Street parking is free and unmetered on most residential blocks, though finding an open space becomes challenging after work hours; there are no commercial parking decks.
Things to do in Ogontz
- Sample authentic Jamaican and soul food specialties along the Ogontz Avenue commercial strip
- Visit the nearby green space at Kemble Park for a quiet stroll and neighborhood views
- Explore the architectural history of early 20th-century Philadelphia brick rowhouse design
Local favorites
- Caribbean Feast Restaurant · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.2★ (415)Laid-back counter spot dishing out generous platters of jerk chicken, oxtail, and stewed cabbage.
- Barkley's BBQ · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.4★ (320)Neighborhood favorite serving hickory-smoked ribs, brisket, and homemade sides.
- Kingston 11 Jamaican Restaurant · Jamaican Restaurant · 4.3★ (210)Comfortable local joint recognized for authentic island staples, plantains, and curry goat.
Neighborhoods near Ogontz
Common questions about Ogontz
Is Ogontz safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Ogontz a good place to live?
On safety, Ogontz scores 50/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Ogontz?
Walk score 78/100 and bike score 55/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Ogontz are safer?
East Oak Lane (70), West Oak Lane (62), Germantown, East (56) score higher nearby.
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