Is Penn safe?
Amarillo, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Penn as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Penn
“Go with care. Penn is an older, predominantly working-class residential neighborhood in northeast Amarillo where visitors are unlikely to encounter random violent crime during daylight hours, but property crimes and vehicular theft occur at rates above the national average. Stick to main commercial corridors, secure your vehicle, and avoid walking through unlit residential streets late at night.”
About the area
Penn is a modest, quiet residential pocket situated just north of Amarillo Boulevard in northeast Amarillo. The neighborhood features mid-century ranch homes, small local eateries, and light industrial edges along its boundaries. It caters mostly to local residents rather than tourists, though it sits close to historic Route 66 corridors.
- Working-Class
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Modest Mid-Century
Walking and biking in Penn
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 46/100
Penn lacks dedicated bike lanes and bike-share services, and cyclists must share standard roadways with automotive traffic.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Close proximity to Amarillo Boulevard's authentic culinary spots and historic Route 66 heritage
- Quiet daytime residential streets with minimal through traffic
- High rate of single-family home occupancy relative to central urban cores
- Convenient highway access to downtown Amarillo and major arterials
Cons
- Property crime, vehicle theft, and burglary rates track higher than Amarillo city averages
- Elevated poverty rate with pockets of aging and deferred housing maintenance
- Limited street lighting and occasional sidewalk gaps on interior residential blocks
- Lacks substantial dedicated tourist attractions directly within neighborhood bounds
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior residential blocks of Penn, but occasional panhandling and unhoused individuals are seen along nearby commercial segments of Amarillo Boulevard.
What Penn is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet as residents commute to work, feeling generally safe for walking or driving through.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and slow-paced, with typical neighborhood activity and safe conditions for daytime errands.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down quickly after dusk; stick to well-lit main thoroughfares and keep situational awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet but isolated, with poor street lighting and higher risk for property crimes, making late-night walking unadvisable.
Transit, parking and getting around
Amarillo City Transit (ACT) provides fixed-route bus services with routes running along Amarillo Boulevard and North Grand Street; there is no rail or BRT system in Amarillo.
Free and ample street parking is available throughout the residential streets, and commercial lots along the perimeter offer free private parking.
Things to do in Penn
- Sample authentic Panhandle Tex-Mex and street tacos along the nearby Amarillo Boulevard corridor
- Visit nearby Glenwood Park for open green space and neighborhood recreation
- Drive the historic Route 66 alignment just south of the neighborhood
Local favorites
- El Tejavan · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (1280)Popular local staple serving traditional Jalisco-style Mexican cuisine and handcrafted margaritas.
- La Pasadita Meat Market · Grocery & Carniceria · 4.5★ (140)Neighborhood Latin market offering fresh marinated meats, specialty groceries, and hot prepared foods.
- Shelby's Diner · American Diner · 4.4★ (310)Unpretentious local diner known for hearty breakfasts, chicken-fried steak, and friendly service.
Neighborhoods near Penn
Common questions about Penn
Is Penn safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Penn a good place to live?
On safety, Penn scores 58/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Penn?
Walk score 42/100 and bike score 46/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Penn are safer?
Skyline Terrace (66), Sunny Hill Village (64), Belmont Park Annex (62) score higher nearby.
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