Is Summerdale safe?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Summerdale as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Summerdale
“Go with care. Summerdale is a quiet, working-class residential pocket in Lower Northeast Philadelphia, but it borders higher-crime districts like Frankford and experiences persistent property crime. Visiting during daylight hours for specific errands or park recreation is manageable, but you should practice standard urban vigilance after dark.”
About the area
Summerdale is a primarily residential neighborhood characterized by dense brick rowhomes, tree-lined side streets, and adjacency to Tacony Creek Park. While largely devoid of major tourist landmarks, it serves as a settled residential enclave bordered by busy commercial corridors.
- Residential Rowhomes
- Working-Class
- Park Adjacent
- Quiet Pockets
Walking and biking in Summerdale
Walk score: 72/100 · Bike score: 54/100
Indego bike-share stations do not currently extend into Summerdale, but the paved multi-use Tacony Creek Park Trail provides off-street riding opportunities directly along the neighborhood's western edge.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to neighboring Frankford and Kensington
- Moderate homeownership rate providing stable residential blocks
- Direct adjacency to green space and recreation at Tacony Creek Park
Cons
- Elevated property crime rates, particularly vehicle break-ins and auto theft
- Spillover safety risks from higher-crime transit corridors and surrounding neighborhoods
- Limited commercial and dining options within the immediate interior blocks
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior residential blocks of Summerdale, though panhandling and unhoused individuals are occasionally observed near major intersections along Roosevelt Boulevard and transit hubs in adjacent Frankford.
What Summerdale is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are peaceful and safe as residents walk dogs, commute, and head to local schools.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons remain calm on residential side streets, though perimeter traffic along Roosevelt Boulevard intensifies.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings are generally quiet, but foot traffic drops off and increased awareness is recommended around bus stops and boundary streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights see very little pedestrian activity and carry higher risks for property crime, car theft, and isolated violent encounters.
Transit, parking and getting around
SEPTA operates several bus lines through and around Summerdale (including routes 19, 24, and 59), providing direct connections to the Frankford Transportation Center and the Market-Frankford Line roughly 1.5 miles away.
Street parking is free and unmetered across most residential streets, though spaces fill up quickly on rowhome blocks after the evening commute.
Things to do in Summerdale
- Walk, run, or birdwatch along the paved trails of Tacony Creek Park
- Sample diverse international cuisines along nearby commercial stretches on Castor and Bustleton Avenues
- Visit the historic architecture and arboretum grounds of nearby Friends Hospital
Local favorites
- Picanha Brazilian Grill · Brazilian Steakhouse · 4.4★ (1420)A popular, bustling buffet and rodizio-style churrascaria serving traditional grilled meats on nearby Castor Avenue.
- Pho Ha Saigon · Vietnamese Restaurant · 4.3★ (980)A staple dining destination along Adams Avenue known for generous bowls of pho and authentic Vietnamese noodle dishes.
- Steve's Prince of Steaks · Cheesesteak Restaurant · 4.3★ (3850)A legendary Northeast Philly counter-serve institution famous for flat-sliced ribeye cheesesteaks with melted Whiz.
Neighborhoods near Summerdale
Common questions about Summerdale
Is Summerdale safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Summerdale a good place to live?
On safety, Summerdale scores 62/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Summerdale?
Walk score 72/100 and bike score 54/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Summerdale are safer?
Summerdale scores as high as or higher than its closest neighbors.
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