Is Wissahickon safe?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Wissahickon as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Wissahickon
“Go. Wissahickon is a quiet, leafy residential enclave offering immediate access to Wissahickon Valley Park and neighboring Manayunk. Violent crime is rare, making it one of the safer urban neighborhoods in Philadelphia, provided you take standard precautions against opportunistic property crimes.”
About the area
Tucked between Roxborough and the dramatic gorge of Wissahickon Valley Park, Wissahickon is a charming, tree-lined Philadelphia neighborhood known for stone twin homes and lush scenery. It offers a tranquil, neighborhood-oriented atmosphere with convenient transit connectivity and direct entry to miles of wooded parkland.
- Wooded & Scenic
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet Residential
Walking and biking in Wissahickon
Walk score: 72/100 · Bike score: 58/100
The area provides excellent connections to the Schuylkill River Trail and Wissahickon multi-use paths, though steep local inclines require stamina; Indego bike share docks are located near Ridge Avenue.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to broader Philadelphia city averages
- High rates of owner occupancy and above-average median household incomes supporting neighborhood stability
- Direct walkable access to the extensive trail network of Wissahickon Valley Park
Cons
- Periodic vehicle break-ins and theft from autos parked at secluded trailheads or along Ridge Avenue
- Steep topography and narrow residential streets create challenging winter driving and tight street parking
- Limited commercial density within the immediate residential core, requiring short trips to Manayunk or Ridge Avenue
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential streets, though occasional unhoused individuals may be encountered near the Wissahickon Transportation Center hub along Ridge Avenue.
What Wissahickon is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are calm and active with joggers, dog walkers, and commuters heading toward the Regional Rail station.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons are quiet and safe with low street foot traffic and visitors enjoying the park entrances.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings remain peaceful and safe, though heavy tree cover makes some residential side streets noticeably dim.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights are very quiet with low crime risk, though standard situational awareness is advised when walking home from transit stations.
Transit, parking and getting around
SEPTA serves the neighborhood via the Wissahickon Regional Rail station on the Manayunk/Norristown Line, alongside major bus routes (such as 9, 27, 38, 61, and 65) connecting through the Wissahickon Transportation Center.
Residential street parking is free and unmetered, but narrow roads and hillside grades can make finding spots challenging in the evenings; trailhead parking lots fill quickly on nice weekends.
Things to do in Wissahickon
- Hike or trail run down to Forbidden Drive along the Wissahickon Creek gorge
- View the historic architecture across the iconic high-arched Walnut Lane Bridge
- Explore the picturesque 19th-century Victorian stone architecture along Rochelle Avenue
Local favorites
- Wissahickon Brewing Company · Brewery · 4.7★ (950)Family-owned neighborhood craft brewery featuring rotating food trucks, craft beer, and community events.
- Dawson Street Pub · Pub · 4.6★ (750)Long-running neighborhood staple known for an extensive craft beer list and live music on the edge of the district.
- Deke's Bar-B-Que · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.5★ (620)Laid-back smokehouse serving pit-smoked brisket, ribs, and classic Southern-style sides near Ridge Avenue.
Neighborhoods near Wissahickon
Common questions about Wissahickon
Is Wissahickon safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Wissahickon a good place to live?
On safety, Wissahickon scores 84/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Wissahickon?
Walk score 72/100 and bike score 58/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Wissahickon are safer?
Bala (90), Bala Cynwyd (89) score higher nearby.
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