In upper North Philadelphia, Fern Rock is an urban community full of row homes and a hub for city commuters with the bustling Fern Rock Transportation Center. At the center of the neighborhood is Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital, a major employer that attracts residents to the community. According to Realtor Will Catlett of Century 21 Advantage Gold-South Philadelphia, proximity to Center City Philadelphia, a commerce hub, access to public transportation and affordability bring homebuyers to the area. Another draw, says Catlett, is the lower property taxes for housing due to sitting on smaller lots. David Foster, a Realtor with Integrity Real Estate Services, lived in Fern Rock for five years. He says, “The transportation center is what drives people to Fern Rock. That’s what I liked about living there. It makes commuting extremely convenient.”
Fern Rock
Urban Core Neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia County 19141
Cottages and row homes are on the housing menu
The neighborhood’s row homes were developed between the 1920s and 1940s. They include charming cottage-style architecture not typically seen in Philadelphia. They vary from brick, stone and vinyl siding – some with a mixture of the three. Most homes offer three to four bedrooms and around 1,200 to 2,000 square feet of living space. Some come with open front porches where you can chat with your neighbor, while others are enclosed, providing more privacy. Some residences have a small fenced backyard. If parking is more important, buyers can get a home with a driveway and an attached garage in the back, accessible through an alleyway. Turnkey homes with modern interior renovations sell for around $250,000 to $300,000. Others range from $72,000 to $342,000. The lower end of the price range will land buyers a house in need of being renovated, while the higher end represents homes that are being flipped. Catlett says rehabs and flips are extremely popular in the area due to the influx of investors and the need to update these older homes. There are also several multi-home units. “Several of the blocks are very quiet and peaceful,” he adds. With multiple colleges and the hospital close, there is a demand for rentals — nearly 50% of Fern Rocks residents are renters. The CAP Index crime score for Fern Rock is 5 out of 10, slightly higher than the national median of 4.
Two neighborhood schools are on the National Register of Historic Places
Kindergarten through fifth-grade students attend Julia Ward Howe School, a C-minus-rated school by Niche, before heading off to General Louis Wagner Middle School, both of which are added to the National Register of Historic Places for their majestic architecture. Wagner also has a Niche grade of C-minus. From ninth through 12th grade, students attend Martin Luther King High School, which features a new arts academy with partnerships through the Rock School of Dance and Settlement School of Music. MLK High School has a D-plus from Niche. There are also nearly 20 colleges and universities in the area, including DeVry University.
Fisher parks is one of the local green spaces
Those who want to escape the city should head to Fisher Park. Half of the green space features paved walkways that meander through dense woods. The other half of the park has a playground, basketball and tennis courts. Cherashore Park has even more sports facilities, where kids can play little league baseball. The park also has a community pool, perfect for cooling off on hot summer days. Head to Awbury Park to explore the Arboretum or Awbury Farm, which features gardens and farm animals.
There are multiple cuisine options
The section of Broad Street in Fern Rock features several places to shop and eat. Head to ALDI for all grocery needs. Or, for a more local feel, hit up Wilson’s Market, not only for produce but for its famous hoagies. Grab a bite to eat at Ron’s Caribbean Café, a community staple known for its delicious Caribbean platters. In the mood for a pizza or cheesesteak? There are multiple options to choose from, like City View Pizza & Grill and In & Out Express Pizza. Sports fans can hang out late with friends at Tony’s Place, a casual bar open until 2 a.m. daily.
Fern Rock Transportation Center eases commutes
The Fern Rock Transportation Center gives residents easy access to anywhere in the city and its suburbs through three SEPTA Regional Lines. If heading to Center City, the subway gets commuters there in about 20 minutes. Residents can also get there or anywhere else in the area by taking a SEPTA bus. Drivers can reach Center City in six miles. The drive is down Broad Street, which leads straight to City Hall and all of the other bustling downtown areas. Route 611 cuts through the area and on the outskirts is Route 1.
Crime is moderate
The CAP Index crime score for Fern Rock is 5 out of 10, slightly higher than the national median of 4.



Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Josie Rodriguez
Responds QuicklyHomestarr Realty
(267) 848-8757
38 Total Sales
1 in Fern Rock
$305,000 Price
-
Maria Quattrone
RE/MAX @ HOME
(855) 933-5214
494 Total Sales
2 in Fern Rock
$120,000 Price Range
-
Amber Noble
Keller Williams - Main Street
(848) 279-8837
100 Total Sales
1 in Fern Rock
$150,000 Price
-
Charles Davies
EXP Realty, LLC
(984) 733-1171
87 Total Sales
2 in Fern Rock
$161K - $184K Price Range
-
Khalid Aleem
Responds QuicklyReal of Pennsylvania
(267) 443-1070
88 Total Sales
2 in Fern Rock
$170K - $230K Price Range
-
Alexander Molinski
Responds QuicklyRE/MAX Elite
(856) 733-5716
83 Total Sales
2 in Fern Rock
$235K - $245K Price Range
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Fern Rock | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 8 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 5 | 4 |
Robbery | 7 | 4 |
Burglary | 4 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
Larceny | 4 | 4 |
Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Fern Rock, Philadelphia sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Fern Rock, Philadelphia over the last 12 months is $179,120, down 4% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Home Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods

Walkable community with rowhomes, urban green spaces and proximity to Center City

Settled before the founding of Philadelphia and filled with large, historic homes

More suburban than Downtown Philly, but features urban amenities

A city neighborhood with plentiful town houses and a large community park

Historic suburb north of Philadelphia with notable landmarks and green spaces

An urban neighborhood with a college-town feel in North Philadelphia