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Mill Creek

Mill Creek

Urban Core Neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia County 19104, 19131, 19139

Neighborhood Reviews
3.0
$140,308 Average Value
$196 Average Price per Sq Ft
27 Homes For Sale

Rebuilding community in West Philadelphia

Named for Philadelphia’s Mill Creek, this urban community has a rich history of resilience. The creek initially powered local lumber companies and gristmills until it was buried in the late 19th century to improve the city’s sewer system. The system collapsed in 1961, swallowing four houses and ultimately condemning over 100 homes in the neighborhood. Today, the neighborhood continues to rebuild with the help of community leaders. “I’ve lived here all my life. My family moved up from the Antebellum South over 120 years ago and migrated to the area in search of greater opportunities. After years and years of disinvestment in the community, I personally have a big interest in preserving the African American community’s legacy and hopefully inspiring people to take pride in their community,” says Abdul-Rahim Muhammad, a lifelong resident of West Philadelphia and founder of the New Africa Center. The New Africa Center is a museum dedicated to preserving the area’s African American history along Lancaster Avenue, a historic corridor and symbol of revitalization in West Philadelphia.

Mill Creek residents cool off in summer at the community pool.
Mill Creek residents cool off in summer at the community pool.
Mill Creek is located in West Philadelphia, only 5 miles from Center City.
Mill Creek is located in West Philadelphia, only 5 miles from Center City.
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Classic rowhomes and twin homes

Blocks of rowhomes fill most of the neighborhood’s gridded streets. Most homes were built around the 1920s and have central bay windows, covered front porches and elevated yards with steps leading from the sidewalk to their stoops. Homebuyers will also find twin homes with stone siding and small front porticos. While some homes are over 100 years old, many have undergone recent renovations and feature updated kitchens, new appliances and central air conditioning. “They are doing a lot of renovations in Mill Creek. They’re restoring a lot of the older homes and really turning them around,” says Elaine Jerome, a Realtor with Keller Williams Main Line who has over 16 years of experience in real estate. In the southeastern corner of the neighborhood are the Lucien E. Blackwell Homes, 105 subsidized rowhomes built in the early 2000s to replace the neighborhood’s old low-rise units. Prices for single-family homes range from around $60,000 for a two-bedroom rowhome in need of repair to about $280,000 for a recently renovated twin home. First-time homebuyers may qualify for the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s new Revitalizing Neighborhoods and Increasing Homeownership program, which provides financial education and up to $25,000 in grants. Mill Creek has a CAP Index Crime Score of 7 out of 10, which is higher than the national average of 4. This overall Crime Score is largely driven by higher-than-average scores for violent crimes.

3 story twin homes in Mill Creek offer more privacy over neighborhood row homes.
3 story twin homes in Mill Creek offer more privacy over neighborhood row homes.
Escape the summer heat under the covered front porch of a Mill Creek row home.
Escape the summer heat under the covered front porch of a Mill Creek row home.
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SEPTA provides local bus and trolley service

Mill Creek is in the heart of West Philadelphia and just south of U.S. Route 30. The thoroughfare connects to Interstate 76 and provides easy access to Center City, which is about 4 miles east across the Schuylkill River and is Philadelphia’s central business district. SEPTA provides local bus service to the community. Residents can also head east to Lancaster Avenue and hop on SEPTA Route 10, a trolley line that connects to the local universities in University City, among other places. Philadelphia International Airport is less than 10 miles south.

SEPTA Trolley Lancaster Ave
SEPTA Trolley Lancaster Ave
This SEPTA Market Frankford Line at 46th Street to get around in the Mill Creek.
This SEPTA Market Frankford Line at 46th Street to get around in the Mill Creek.
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Overbrook High School boasts famous alumni

Most students in the neighborhood begin their education at the James Rhoads School, which serves grades K-8 and earned a C-minus from Niche. Teens go on to attend the D-plus-rated Overbrook High School, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to its Gothic Revival architecture and is known as The Castle on the Hill. Overbrook is notable for its famous alumni, including actor Will Smith and NBA player Wilt Chamberlain. Teens can enroll in Overbrook’s dual enrollment program and earn college credit from the nearby Community College of Philadelphia. Mill Creek is about 2 miles northwest of University City – home of Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania.

Overbrook High School serves teenagers in grades 9-12 both in and near the Overbrook, PA region.
Overbrook High School serves teenagers in grades 9-12 both in and near the Overbrook, PA region.
James Rhoads Elementary recently upgraded to new playgrounds and basketball hoops in Mill Creek.
James Rhoads Elementary recently upgraded to new playgrounds and basketball hoops in Mill Creek.
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Favorites on Lancaster Avenue and local farm

Restaurants line Lancaster Avenue, which bisects the northeastern corner of the neighborhood. Supreme Oasis Bakery & Deli is known for its vegan twist on classic soul food dishes and homemade desserts like the Supreme Bean Pie. Further north, Alaska King Crab House serves generous seafood platters, and White Horse Tavern is a casual bar where residents can play pool and order American classics. For groceries, Aldi is less than a mile south of Mill Creek. Residents can also pick up fresh produce at the Mill Creek Urban Farm, a local farm that works to supply low-cost and sustainable food to the community.

Stop into Quality Taste Jamaican on Lancaster Ave near Mill Creek to pick up a quick lunch.
Stop into Quality Taste Jamaican on Lancaster Ave near Mill Creek to pick up a quick lunch.
Mill Creek Urban Farm supplies the community with low-cost produce grown in the neighborhood.
Mill Creek Urban Farm supplies the community with low-cost produce grown in the neighborhood.
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Recreation centers and an established community garden

The Tiffany Fletcher Recreation Center is in the heart of Mill Creek. The center has a computer lab and offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities, including a playground, basketball courts and an outdoor pool. Next door is the Lucien E. Blackwell Community Center, where residents have access to a gymnasium, community room and a variety of programming for all ages. The neighborhood is also home to an award-winning community garden. Known as Aspen Farms, the garden started in 1975 as residents worked to fill vacant lots in the neighborhood. Today, the garden sits next to Mill Creek Urban Farm and features 30 plots where locals grow everything from tomatoes to vibrant flowers.

Lucien E. Blackwell Community Center is a new 12,300-square-foot facility in M ill Creek.
Lucien E. Blackwell Community Center is a new 12,300-square-foot facility in M ill Creek.
Practice your green thumb in Mill Creek at the community Aspen Farms garden.
Practice your green thumb in Mill Creek at the community Aspen Farms garden.
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Festivities at the local community center

The Lucien E. Blackwell Community Center hosts various community events. Neighbors gather for movie nights, community history walks and more. The center also hosts food drives for residents in need.

Tiffany Fletcher Recreation Center pool is open in the summer in the Mill Creek neighborhood.
Tiffany Fletcher Recreation Center pool is open in the summer in the Mill Creek neighborhood.
Bright murals in Mill Creek run along N 48th Street.
Bright murals in Mill Creek run along N 48th Street.
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Proximity to an award-winning hospital

Residents are less than two miles northwest of the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. Locally known as Presby, the hospital is part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and has a Level I trauma center.

Children's Hospital Karabots Care Center is located in the Mill Creek neighborhood.
Children's Hospital Karabots Care Center is located in the Mill Creek neighborhood.
Mill Creek sits between 44th and 52nd Streets, north of Market Street and south of Girard Ave.
Mill Creek sits between 44th and 52nd Streets, north of Market Street and south of Girard Ave.
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Sally Stimpson
Written By
Sally Stimpson
Jesse Roehrer
Photography Contributed By
Jesse Roehrer
Bridgette Cyr
Video By
Bridgette Cyr

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Madalyn Eleby, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Philadelphia International

22 min drive

Subway

Lancaster Avenue And 47Th Street

Subway

Lancaster Avenue And Wyalusing Avenue

Subway

Lancaster Avenue And 44Th Street

Subway

Lancaster Avenue And 45Th Street

Subway

Lancaster Avenue And 48Th Street

Bus

48th St & Fairmount Av

Bus

48th St & Aspen St

Bus

48th St & Brown St

Bus

52nd St & Haverford Av - Fs

Bus

Haverford Av & 49th St

Bus

Aspen St & 46th St

Bus

46th St & Fairmount Av

Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.0 9 Reviews
3.0 Niche User
6/2/2015 Niche Review
There are old houses in my area that are vacant and need to be fixed up.
3.0 Niche User
6/2/2015 Niche Review
There is a community gym that is indoor. The people are somewhat physically active. The males play basket ball a lot in winter some and a lot in the summer.
3.0 Niche User
6/2/2015 Niche Review
It's okay, but you still have to be caution what area you walk by yourself
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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Mill Creek US
Homicide 10 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 8 4
Robbery 9 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$125,000
Median Single Family Price
$284,500
Median Townhouse Price
$135,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$196
Number of Homes for Sale
27
Last 12 months Home Sales
49
Months of Supply
6.60
Median List Price
$138,250
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
0%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,232
Median Year Built
1925
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,838
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,168
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,742

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Madalyn Eleby, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
8,664
Median Age
38
Population Density
29 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$25,640
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$36,379

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
84.7%
College Graduates
10.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.4%
% Population in Labor Force
48.2%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
13''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

73 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

65 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit Score®

71 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk 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

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Mill Creek
Madalyn Eleby
Opulent Realty Group LLC
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