Is Richmond safe?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Richmond as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Richmond
“Go with care. Port Richmond is a vibrant, working-class enclave celebrated for traditional Polish delis and established corner taverns, and it remains relatively safe along its interior residential blocks. Maintain standard urban vigilance after dark, particularly near the Lehigh Avenue and Aramingo Avenue corridors.”
About the area
Richmond (commonly called Port Richmond) is a historic working-class neighborhood in Philadelphia's River Wards known for its Polish heritage and tight-knit rowhouse blocks. The area features a mix of multi-generational residents and newer arrivals drawn to its dining and relatively affordable housing.
- Working-Class Charm
- Historic Rowhomes
- Culinary Heritage
- Community-Centric
Walking and biking in Richmond
Walk score: 84/100 · Bike score: 76/100
Indego bike-share docking stations are located around Campbell Square and key retail intersections, with easy street connections leading to the developing Delaware River Trail network.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- High residential stability with a strong homeownership rate exceeding 60%
- Significantly lower violent crime rates than neighboring areas in lower North Philadelphia
- Thriving traditional culinary scene including multi-generational bakeries and delis
- Convenient vehicle access to Interstate 95 and the Delaware riverfront
Cons
- Bordered by high-crime sections near Kensington and the Lehigh Avenue underpasses
- Property crime concerns including vehicle break-ins, package theft, and catalytic converter theft
- Limited rapid rail transit directly inside the neighborhood core
- Uneven street lighting and pedestrian infrastructure near industrial boundaries
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is uncommon within the interior residential blocks of Richmond, though unhoused individuals and panhandling can be observed along commercial segments of Aramingo Avenue and under the Lehigh Avenue bridges leading toward Kensington.
What Richmond is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Streets are calm and welcoming as locals walk dogs and head to corner delis and bakeries.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Residential blocks remain quiet while commercial strips along Aramingo Avenue see steady shopper foot traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Local taverns and dining spots create a friendly neighborhood buzz, though caution is advised on quiet edge streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets empty significantly; walking alone near transit stops along the southern border requires extra alertness.
Transit, parking and getting around
SEPTA serves the area with the Route 15 trolley/bus line and bus routes 25, 60, and 73; the Market-Frankford Line elevated stations (such as Somerset or Allegheny) lie just west of the neighborhood but warrant heightened safety awareness.
Free street parking is the norm across residential blocks, though finding spaces becomes competitive after typical work hours; large free lots serve the shopping centers along Aramingo Avenue.
Things to do in Richmond
- Pick up traditional kielbasa and smoked meats at historic neighborhood smokehouses
- Relax or attend seasonal community events at Campbell Square park
- Sample famous local pound cake and specialty pastries at long-standing neighborhood bakeries
Local favorites
- Czerw's Polish Kielbasa · Polish Deli & Smokehouse · 4.9★ (1450)Historic, family-run institution crafting traditional smoked kielbasa, pierogies, and Polish specialties since 1938.
- Stock's Bakery · Bakery · 4.8★ (2300)Iconic neighborhood bakery renowned throughout the city for its classic pound cake and traditional baked goods.
- Gaul & Co. Malt House · Gastropub · 4.6★ (980)Lively neighborhood pub known for craft beer, creative comfort food, and its signature kielbasa cheesesteak.
Neighborhoods near Richmond
Common questions about Richmond
Is Richmond safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is Richmond a good place to live?
On safety, Richmond scores 73/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is Richmond?
Walk score 84/100 and bike score 76/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Richmond are safer?
Bridesburg (74) score higher nearby.
Add this score to your site
Writing about Richmond? Copy this code to show its live safety score on your blog or listing.