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Southwest Center City

Southwest Center City

Urban Core Neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia County 19146

$663,427 Average Value
$400 Average Price per Sq Ft
88 Homes For Sale

Walkable suburb with Philly energy

Southwest Center City goes by many nicknames, including Graduate Hospital – or G-Ho – and South of South – or So-So. While there are many different ways to refer to this 12-block stretch of walkable streets, there’s typically one way to describe it: Revitalized. South Street, where some of the city’s biggest festivals take place, and the popular walking trail along the Schuylkill River breathe fresh air into the neighborhood. Residents are also conveniently located near the University of Pennsylvania and its extension of hospitals, just across the river. “A lot of doctors and business professionals move here,” says Morgan Rodriguez, a neighborhood local and Realtor with OFC Realty. “They will just walk right across the bridge to get to the hospital.” But anyone who wants proximity to the excitement of the city will appreciate life in Southwest City City. While the neighborhood offers its own local dining, Subway access and community events, the iconic commercial district around Rittenhouse Square is just blocks away.

Classic rowhomes and modern condos

Throughout much of Southwest Center City are three-story, nineteenth and twentieth-century rowhomes, some with brick exteriors and others with more Italianate influences. “The older brick rowhomes in this area are very classically Philly,” says Rodriguez. Many of these established homes have well-preserved exteriors with renovated interiors, so residents can appreciate the historic architecture while enjoying modern living. Blended among the residential streets are townhomes with Second Empire architecture and contemporary condos, many with attached garages and rooftop decks that provide stunning views of the Center City skyline. A block of properties might range from a humble one-bedroom and two-bathroom unit to a spacious four-bedroom and five-bathroom unit. Prices also reflect this range, starting just below $300,000 and rising to upwards of $1.8 million.

Barhopping on South Street

Though the east side of South Street toward Broad Street has long been the go-to spot for local pubs and trendy restaurants, the west side has been gaining a lot of traction. Cafes, bars and boutiques have recently set up shop along Southwest Center City’s pedestrian-friendly streets, making it the new place to be. Residents can head to Cafe Ynez for Mexican-inspired breakfast, lunch or dinner in a vibrant diner. Nearby, the Sidecar Bar & Grille is a gastropub with brunch specials. The day out can continue at Dock Street Brewery South, where the craft beer menu rotates, and the kitchen whips up pizza and burgers. There are many corner markets around town, including The Fresh Grocer of Grays Ferry and South Square Market. More grocery options aren’t far to the north, where there’s a Trader Joe’s and a Sprouts right next to a Target. This walkable commercial area provides a broader shopping and dining experience, with The Shops at Liberty Place and a variety of restaurants and bars.

Scenic walks on the Schuylkill River Trail

Southwest City City is home to the Marian Anderson Recreation Center, where residents can work out inside, swim in the outdoor pool and play on the playground, basketball courts and baseball field. Another recreation center in the neighborhood is Christian Street YMCA, just a block away. Athletes and families alike might opt for an adventure at Chew Playground, where there are also athletic courts and fields that host recreation leagues. When looking to escape the urban streets of the city, locals can leash up their dogs and make their way to the green and sculpture-filled Schuylkill River Park to access the trail along the river. “It’s close enough to walk to the trail from the neighborhood,” says Jim Robertson, a Realtor with OCF Realty. “It’s usually pretty crowded with bikers and runners.” A few blocks to the north, Rittenhouse Square is an iconic city park in the middle of a bustling retail district that hosts the Rittenhouse Farmers Market.

Philadelphia art and UPenn architecture

Artistic locals scratch their creative itch at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. On the east side of Southwest Center City, this venue features eclectic mosaics and folksy art exhibits in both an outdoor and indoor space. On the other side of town across the Schuylkill River, residents can also admire the intricate architecture of the University of Pennsylvania's campus. The buildings on the grounds of this Ivy League school show Gothic-era styles dating back to the 1700s.

The Odunde Festival and Bloktoberfest

“Southwest Center City has a great sense of community. It’s very family-friendly and diverse,” Rodriguez says. This connection is celebrated every year when the neighborhood comes together for two major events on South Street. The Odunde Festival is a vibrant celebration of African culture with food, music, dancing and vendors and has been running strong for decades. Bloktoberfest is another exciting event that lines the street with residents enjoying live music, food trucks and vendors.

City public schools and private institutions

Students can attend the public Chester A. Arthur School for kindergarten through eighth grade, which offers an 11-1 student-teacher ratio and a B-minus grade from Niche. A nearby private elementary and middle school option is The Philadelphia School, which Niche grades an A-plus. For a public high school, students can advance to Universal Audenried Charter School, which Niche grades a C and ranks among the Best Public High Schools for Athletes in Pennsylvania. Private high school options include Saints Neumann Goretti, a Catholic school with an A-minus Niche grade.

Riding on the SEPTA

Residents can get around town using the SEPTA Subway system, with the Lombard-South and Ellsworth-Federal stations on the east end of the neighborhood. The SEPTA bus also services the town and the surrounding Philadelphia metro area. To leave the city easily, Interstate 76 is accessible just west on the other side of the Schuylkill River.

Mary Beth Greene
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
Jesse Roehrer
Photography Contributed By
Jesse Roehrer
Charlie Lingner
Video By
Charlie Lingner

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 Emily Ou, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Philadelphia International

19 min drive

Bus

Broad St & Fitzwater St

Bus

17th St & Catherine St

Bus

Bainbridge St & 22nd St

Bus

19th St & Catherine St

Bus

South St & 18th St

Bus

Broad St & Carpenter St

Bus

20th St & Catherine St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Southwest Center City US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 3 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$575,000
Median Single Family Price
$719,900
Median Townhouse Price
$645,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$530,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$370,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$400
Number of Homes for Sale
88
Last 12 months Home Sales
280
Months of Supply
3.80
Median List Price
$599,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-6%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
3,974
Median Year Built
1925
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,787
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,524
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,438
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
853
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,306

Open Houses

  • Saturday, May 3
    12 - 2pm

    1513 Christian St Unit 5, Philadelphia, PA 19146

    $649,900

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,000 Sq Ft
    • 1513 Christian St
    • Unit 5

    Welcome to unit 5, the Penthouse, at 1513 Christian St. a 5-unit boutique condominium community located in the charming Graduate Hospital neighborhood of Philadelphia. Situated near many local conveniences, restaurants, and attractions that are sure to make for an enjoyable living experience. The walkability is unparalleled as you can reach Rittenhouse Square, the Schuylkill River Park, larger

    Stephen Stafford SDG Management, LLC

    Section Image
  • Sunday, May 4
    12 - 2pm

    2029 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA 19146

    $1,299,900

    • 4 Beds
    • 4 Baths
    • 2,925 Sq Ft
    • 2029 Catharine St
    • New 2 days ago

    Welcome to 2029 Catharine Street — a luxurious 4 bed, 4 full bath new construction home with parking in the heart of Graduate Hospital. Thoughtfully designed with timeless character and modern amenities, this residence offers the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. Step into the main living space where natural light pours in, highlighting custom arched built-ins and an open floor plan ideal

    Peter DeWitt Coldwell Banker Realty

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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 Emily Ou, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
14,935
Median Age
35
Population Density
44 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.1%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$130,228
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$155,513

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.6%
College Graduates
78%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
44.7%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
81%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Biker's Paradise

Bike Score®

98 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

86 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit Score®

82 / 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.

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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
Southwest Center City