Is Penrose (Philadelphia) safe?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Penrose (Philadelphia) as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Penrose (Philadelphia)
“Go with care. Penrose is a relatively quiet, working-class residential community in Southwest Philadelphia that is generally peaceful for daytime visitors. While violent crime rates are notably lower than in adjacent inner-city neighborhoods, visitors should remain attentive to property crime, particularly around major commercial strip malls.”
About the area
Penrose is a mid-century residential enclave bordered by industrial corridors, airport infrastructure, and tidal wetlands. It features tree-lined streets of brick rowhomes and duplexes alongside auto-oriented strip shopping centers. Most visitors pass through for convenient airport-adjacent shopping, local dining, or to explore the nearby nature refuge.
- Suburban-Style Urban
- Car-Dependent
- Working-Class
- Commercial Strips
Walking and biking in Penrose (Philadelphia)
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 52/100
Indego bike-share has limited presence in this immediate zone, though nearby paths connect toward the multi-use trails of the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly higher rate of homeownership and residential block stability than surrounding Southwest neighborhoods
- Lower incidence of violent crime compared to neighboring Elmwood and Kingsessing
- Convenient vehicle access to I-95, I-76, and Philadelphia International Airport
Cons
- Frequent property crimes including vehicle break-ins and retail theft around plaza parking lots
- Car-centric street design with wide thoroughfares that are unfriendly to pedestrians
- Spillover property and nuisance crime from nearby high-crime transit and commercial hubs
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is generally minimal on residential streets, though occasional individuals or panhandling can be observed near major intersections and commercial plaza entrances along Island Avenue.
What Penrose (Philadelphia) is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Quiet and orderly as residents commute to work and local commercial plazas begin opening.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active with shoppers and school traffic around Island Avenue, feeling safe with standard urban awareness.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Commercial areas remain reasonably active, though residential side streets become very quiet and require caution.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are largely deserted; pedestrian travel is not recommended due to low visibility and isolated commercial lots.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by SEPTA, featuring Bus Routes 37, 68, and 108 running along main arterials, with the SEPTA Route 36 Trolley and Eastwick Regional Rail Station accessible nearby.
Parking is very easy throughout Penrose; residential streets offer ample free curbside parking, and shopping plazas feature large, free surface parking lots.
Things to do in Penrose (Philadelphia)
- Explore the nature trails, marshes, and wildlife observation points at the adjacent John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
- Browse local stores and enjoy casual dining at Penrose Plaza Shopping Center
- Take a short drive to FDR Park and the South Philadelphia Sports Complex
Local favorites
- Ruby Buffet · Buffet Restaurant · 4.0★ (2650)A bustling, expansive buffet in Penrose Plaza serving Chinese dishes, seafood, and sushi.
- Crab Du Jour Cajun Seafood & Bar · Seafood Restaurant · 4.2★ (1150)A lively casual dining spot offering spiced Cajun seafood boils and fried baskets.
- Penrose Diner · Diner · 4.2★ (3820)An iconic nearby classic diner serving generous portions of comfort foods, all-day breakfast, and desserts.
Neighborhoods near Penrose (Philadelphia)
Common questions about Penrose (Philadelphia)
Is Penrose (Philadelphia) safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is Penrose (Philadelphia) a good place to live?
On safety, Penrose (Philadelphia) scores 70/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is Penrose (Philadelphia)?
Walk score 58/100 and bike score 52/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Penrose (Philadelphia) are safer?
Penrose (Philadelphia) scores as high as or higher than its closest neighbors.
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