Is Olney safe?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates Olney as “No-go after dark”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Olney
“Go with care. Olney offers vibrant commercial corridors with incredible international dining, but visitors need to exercise heightened situational awareness. Elevated rates of violent and property crime make sticking to daylight hours and busy main avenues the best approach.”
About the area
Olney is a densely populated, culturally diverse neighborhood in North Philadelphia known for its multi-ethnic cuisine along North 5th Street. It is anchored by traditional brick rowhomes and busy commercial corridors centered around the Olney Transportation Center.
- Culturally Diverse
- Dense Urban
- Bustling Corridors
Walking and biking in Olney
Walk score: 84/100 · Bike score: 58/100
Indego bike-share stations are scarce in this area, and dedicated bike infrastructure is minimal, though nearby Tacony Creek Park offers off-street trail connections.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Diverse culinary hub featuring authentic Korean, Caribbean, and Latin American eateries
- Direct and rapid subway connectivity to Center City via the SEPTA Broad Street Line
- Active neighborhood commerce along North 5th Street
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates remain significantly higher than national and city medians
- Elevated poverty rate exceeding 24% with constrained municipal resources
- Frequent vehicle break-ins and auto theft reported on residential side streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness and street panhandling are concentrated primarily around the Olney Transportation Center concourses and nearby convenience plazas, while residential streets see minimal encampments.
What Olney is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active with commuters and open storefronts; generally safe when staying alert on commercial corridors.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy foot and vehicular traffic along commercial avenues; mostly safe but keep personal belongings secure.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down outside of busy restaurants; increased vigilance is recommended on less-traveled side streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Not recommended for casual walking as violent and property crime risks increase substantially after hours.
Transit, parking and getting around
Olney is anchored by SEPTA's Olney Transportation Center, a major hub for the Broad Street Line subway providing direct access to Center City, along with over a dozen connecting bus routes including the 18, 22, and 55.
Parking consists primarily of congested residential street parking with limited turnover, alongside metered spaces along North 5th Street and Broad Street; commercial garages are rare.
Things to do in Olney
- Embark on a global food tour along the North 5th Street commercial corridor
- Visit Fisher Park for community walking paths and wooded green space
- Explore traditional Korean BBQ spots and Asian bakeries along the upper 5th Street strip
Local favorites
- Cafe Soho · Korean Restaurant · 4.4★ (1150)Famed local outpost renowned for its ultra-crispy twice-fried Korean chicken wings.
- Dubliners Pub · Bar · 4.3★ (210)Neighborhood watering hole serving cold pints and classic bar fare in a casual setting.
- Kim's Restaurant · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.5★ (430)Longstanding neighborhood favorite known for authentic charcoal-grilled tabletop Korean barbecue.
Neighborhoods near Olney
Common questions about Olney
Is Olney safe to walk at night?
We don't recommend walking around casually after dark here; take a ride instead.
Is Olney a good place to live?
On safety, Olney scores 44/100 — among the lowest we score, so look closely at specific blocks before deciding to move.
How walkable is Olney?
Walk score 84/100 and bike score 58/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Olney are safer?
East Oak Lane (70), Melrose Park Gardens (67), Lawndale (Philadelphia) (60) score higher nearby.
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