Is Sharswood safe?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates Sharswood as “No-go after dark”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Sharswood
“Go with care. Sharswood is a historic North Philadelphia neighborhood undergoing extensive public housing redevelopment, but violent crime and gun violence rates remain well above city averages. Visitors should stay alert, stick to main corridors like Ridge Avenue during daylight hours, and avoid wandering unlit side streets at night.”
About the area
Located just north of Girard Avenue and Fairmount, Sharswood is an evolving urban residential neighborhood characterized by rowhouses, public housing revitalization, and newly developed commercial anchors. While historic and rich in community activism, it continues to face substantial socioeconomic headwinds and safety concerns.
- Under Transition
- Urban Residential
- Historic Roots
- Developing Corridor
Walking and biking in Sharswood
Walk score: 82/100 · Bike score: 76/100
Indego bike-share docks are located along Ridge Avenue, and westbound cyclists can reach East Fairmount Park and the Schuylkill River Trail via connecting street bike lanes in approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Active community revitalization centered around the Ridge Avenue commercial corridor
- Affordable neighborhood services and new retail access compared to Center City
- Direct public transit connectivity to Center City and Temple University via SEPTA bus routes
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates remain significantly higher than regional averages
- Census data indicates poverty rates persistently exceeding 35% with lower median household incomes
- Numerous vacant parcels, active construction sites, and blighted structures present safety and walkability hurdles
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is modest compared to Center City transit hubs, though housing instability and poverty are widespread; panhandling is occasionally present near convenience stores and transit stops along Ridge and Girard Avenues.
What Sharswood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Streets are active with commuters, bus riders, and school traffic, feeling reasonably secure along major thoroughfares.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Activity continues around Ridge Avenue commercial hubs, though situational awareness is advisable on quieter residential blocks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pedestrian presence drops noticeably as darkness falls, and lingering or loitering increases at key intersections.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Safety risks escalate significantly after midnight due to elevated rates of street crime, making walking inadvisable.
Transit, parking and getting around
SEPTA operates primary bus routes through the neighborhood, notably Route 33 along Ridge Avenue and Route 3 along Cecil B. Moore Avenue, with the Broad Street Line subway stations at Cecil B. Moore and Girard located about a 15-minute walk to the east.
Street parking is generally easy to find on residential side blocks without meters, though vehicle break-in risks mean valuables should never be left inside; formal parking garages are not available within the neighborhood proper.
Things to do in Sharswood
- Explore the urban agriculture and educational pavilion at the Philly Peace Park
- Visit the revitalized Vaux Community Building, a neighborhood resource and social services hub
- Walk along the developing Ridge Avenue commercial corridor to see local community murals and ongoing revitalization
Local favorites
- Grocery Outlet · Supermarket · 4.3★ (460)A community-anchoring discount grocery store offering everyday staples, fresh produce, and packaged foods.
- Philly Peace Park · Urban Farm & Community Center · 4.8★ (65)An eco-campus and urban garden dedicated to community wellness, food sovereignty, and neighborhood gatherings.
- Butter's Soul Food · Soul Food Restaurant · 4.6★ (570)A nearby staple serving hearty portions of fried chicken, mac and cheese, and southern soul food classics.
Neighborhoods near Sharswood
Common questions about Sharswood
Is Sharswood safe to walk at night?
We don't recommend walking around casually after dark here; take a ride instead.
Is Sharswood a good place to live?
On safety, Sharswood scores 44/100 — among the lowest we score, so look closely at specific blocks before deciding to move.
How walkable is Sharswood?
Walk score 82/100 and bike score 76/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Sharswood are safer?
Fairmount (Philadelphia) (82), Spring Garden (76), Francisville (Philadelphia) (65) score higher nearby.
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