$299,104Average Value$225Average Price per Sq Ft12Homes For Sale
Urban neighborhood just north of University City
Centrally located less than a mile north of University City’s prestigious universities and award-winning hospitals, West Powelton attracts a diverse community. “It’s a mixed bag. You’ve got college students, doctors and longtime residents all living in one place,” says Eric Dvotsky, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathway HomeServices Fox & Roach and a native Philadelphian. “It makes for a pretty unique experience.” The densely populated neighborhood embraces this spirit in everything from its eclectic, 20th-century rowhomes to its urban green spaces and vibrant storefronts. While West Powelton maintains a unique charm in its housing stock and its longstanding community organizations, its proximity to the city’s academic epicenter and a revitalizing commercial corridor along Lancaster Avenue is bringing in new developments. “It’s changing very fast. The West Powelton today will not be the same as the West Powelton of tomorrow,” says Kasey Etson, administrator for the local West Powelton Steppers & Drum Squad. While the neighborhood grows, its sense of community remains the same. “A lot of the people that live there have lived there most of their lives. It’s a very close community that doesn’t have a lot of turnover,” Etson says.
Traditional rowhomes with brick exteriors
Due to its proximity to University City, West Powelton is home to off-campus student apartment complexes such as UCity Flats and University City Apartments. About 75% of residents in the neighborhood are renters. Outside these apartment complexes, homebuyers will find blocks of rowhomes dating to the early 1900s. Philadelphia-style rowhouses with covered front porches and oriel windows sit down the street from Victorian-inspired rowhomes with steeply gabled roofs. Most homes have narrow, fenced-in backyards with room for a small patio. Street parking is the norm throughout the neighborhood. Prices range from around $250,000 to $450,000, depending on the size and condition of the property. West Powelton has a CAP Index Crime Score of 7 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4. This overall Crime Score is primarily driven by higher-than-average scores for violent crimes. Local organizations like the Holly Street Neighbors Community Garden work to combat gun violence in the neighborhood.
A row of Victorian-style rowhomes reminds visitors of West Powelton from long ago.
Onion domes adorn many West Powelton rowhomes and harken to the Ottoman Empire.
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Indoor and outdoor recreation at the Lee Cultural Center
The neighborhood’s Lee Cultural Center is a recreational hub for the community. The facility has a computer lab and offers various youth programs ranging from summer camps to acting lessons. The center also offers opportunities for outdoor recreation, with five basketball courts, a playground and an outdoor pool. Next door is the Vidas Athletic Complex, where the Drexel University Dragons compete in soccer, tennis and more. The West Powelton Steppers and Drum Squad is a point of pride for the community, winning countless local, state and national championships while performing as the official drumline for the Philadelphia 76ers. “We were founded in 1991 by Mrs. Elsie L. Wise, a local activist who started the group to give kids something to do after school,” Etson says. “The older generation comes back and helps the kids with their drumming and homework.” In addition to their high-profile performances, the group spreads holiday cheer at the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center’s annual Children’s Holiday Party. Vacant lots in West Powelton have been transformed into community spaces such as the Holly Street Neighbors Community Garden, a green oasis tucked between two rowhomes. The garden grows fresh produce and features a vibrant mural of its founder, Winnie Harris, who tragically passed away in 2017.
Lee Cultural Center Park is set next to Drexel's athletic fields close to Center City Philly.
Vidas Athletic Complex is home to public basketball courts and more in West Powelton.
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Annual jazz festival in Saunders Park Greene
Behind the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center is Saunders Park Greene, a popular spot for passive recreation with walking paths, benches and picnic tables. The green space is a destination for events like the Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival. The festival celebrates the sound of West Philly with over seven hours of live jazz performances ranging from swing to hard bop. While swaying to the beat, residents can peruse an open-air market featuring local vendors and food trucks.
Local businesses line Lancaster Avenue
West Powelton is tucked between Market Street and Lancaster Avenue, two active commercial corridors lined by restaurants. Over on Market Street, Virasat Haveli is known for its fusion of Indian and Pakistani flavors, while Stacy’s Pizza and Wings is a go-to spot for takeout. On the other side of the neighborhood, Lancaster Avenue hosts local favorites like Fresh Donuts and Bart’s Bagels, a West Philly staple serving up kettle-boiled bagels for breakfast and lunch. Quality Taste Jamaican Restaurant is a counter-serve spot specializing in Caribbean dishes like jerk chicken and oxtail. With more small businesses opening along Lancaster Avenue, the corridor has also become a destination for shopping. Redcap’s Corner sells a variety of tabletop games and invites residents to practice their skills at weekly game nights. Boutiques include The Silk Tent, known for its curated collection of jewelry and home décor. For groceries, there’s an Aldi in the southwestern corner of the neighborhood.
Start your morning in West Powelton with Fresh Donuts on Lancaster Ave.
One of the more popular dining spots in West Powelton is Bart's Bagels on Lancaster Ave.
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Low student-teacher ratio in the Philadelphia City School District
The Philadelphia City School District earns a C-plus from Niche and has an average student-teacher ratio of 15-to-1. Students to the east of North 40th Street can attend the B-minus-rated Samuel Powel School for kindergarten through fourth grade before moving on to the C-minus-rated Science Leadership Academy Middle School. The two schools share a campus in University City. Students west of North 40th Street may attend the Alain Locke School for kindergarten through eighth grade, which earns a C-minus grade. All teens in West Powelton can then attend the C-minus-rated West Philadelphia High School and have the option to apply to UPenn’s Young Scholars High School Program, which grants students tuition-free enrollment in one college-level course per semester.
The student-teacher ratio at Alain Locke School is 9-1.
West Philadelphia High School is located at 4901 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139.
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The L provides service to Center City
West Powelton is just a 3-mile drive across the Schuylkill River from Center City, Philly’s lively business and entertainment district. SEPTA provides local bus service to the community, and 40th Street Station is served by SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line. Locally known as the L, the subway connects residents to Center City in about 15 minutes. Interstate 76 is just 2 miles east and leads to Philadelphia International Airport, about a 10-mile drive south.
Septa buses are ubiquitous through West Powelton and surrounding areas.
Septa's Market Street line forms to southern boundary of West Powelton.
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Level I trauma center at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
West Powelton is home to the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, an award-winning hospital in the University of Pennsylvania Health System. The hospital includes Penn Medicine’s Level I trauma center and boasts one of the first coronary care units in the country. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center are just 2 miles south in University City.
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
Maria Quattrone,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Saunders Park
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Trails
Vidas Athletic Complex
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Soccer
Lee Cultural Center Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Bike Trails
Urban Thinkscape
Trails
Max Paul Park
Walnut Hill Community Playground
Transit
Airport
Philadelphia International
21 min drive
Subway
Lancaster Avenue And Spring Garden Street
Subway
Lancaster Avenue And 38Th Street
Subway
40Th Street
Bus
41st St & Haverford Av
Bus
Market St & 41st St
Bus
40th St & Spring Garden St
Bus
40th St & Baring St
Bus
41st St & Powelton Av
Bus
41st St & Spring Garden Av
Bus
40th St & Powelton Av
Reviews
Niche Reviews
3.37 Reviews
3.0Niche User
1/29/2016Niche Review
The area seems to be in a weird pocket that avoids a majority of the crime ether happens in the area. Student alerts let students like myself know that a lot of the issues happen between 34th and 37th. We are also down the street from the local police precinct.
4.0Niche User
12/30/2015Niche Review
If you walk much further to girrard Avenue, you'll see what abandoned properties means There are quite a few.Its cheap and very close to Upenn and Drexel campuses.
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
West Powelton
US
Homicide
8
4
Sexual Assault
7
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in West Powelton, Philadelphia sell after 73 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in West Powelton, Philadelphia over the last 12 months is $326,306, up 6% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Looking for a modern home big enough for the whole family? Maybe a comfortable property to live in with your roommates? 4047 Green St is a large, renovated 4 bed, 3.5 bath house in West Powelton with a tax abatement through 2029! On the outside you’ll notice the charming brick facade and a classic West Philly front porch. The first floor welcomes you with tall ceilings and a large, open floor
Welcome to your dream home right in the heart of University City, Philadelphia! This stunning brand new construction boasts 4 spacious bedrooms and 4 luxurious bathrooms, perfect for modern living. Lets also not forget the 10 year tax abatement for added savings!As you enter, enjoy the abundance of natural light that floods through the open-concept design, accentuated by elegant hardwood floors
Maria LangeLiberty Bell Real Estate & Property Management
Charming Triplex in University City – A Smart Investment and Comfortable HomeLocation: 3932 Spring Garden Street, University City, Philadelphia, PADiscover the perfect blend of style, comfort, and convenience in this beautifully renovated triplex, ideally located in the dynamic University City neighborhood of Philadelphia. Whether you're an investor seeking a wise purchase or a
Triplex with three updated units. Each two bedrooms. Wood and tile floors. Balconies for upper tenants and large patio for first floor tenant. First floor tenant has two levels. Easy parking and walking to many retail businesses. Rentals below average at $1,700, $1,800, $1,500, plus utilities.
FANTASTIC NEW PRICE for this adorable and sunny End-of-the-Row 2 Bedroom 1 Bath at 436 N Budd Street in the popular West Powelton neighborhood next to University City! A classic Philly Brick Townhome, it has been lovingly maintained and updated by its current owner and features a HUGE BACKYARD and a lots of smart updating/remodeling. Situated on a quiet tree lined street in hot neighborhood
UCity Flats is an off-campus apartment community in University City, Philadelphia boasting a wide selection of fully furnished four-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments. Our residences are within walking distance of Drexel University, the University of Pennsylvania and The University of the Sciences and is just a short subway ride from the University of the Arts. UCity Flats offers individual, by the
Spacious bi-level 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with hardwood flooring, recessed lighting, laundry and access to a roof deck! There is an open living and dining room area that leads to the modern kitchen.This building is located close to Drexel and U. Penn, public transportation and more!
---- SCHEDULE A SHOWING ONLINE AT: ----Spacious 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment located in the Powelton Village neighborhood of University City Philadelphia. This property is located very close to Drexel University, Saunders Park, many public transportation options, and all the shops and restaurants on Lancaster Avenue.This unit features hardwood floors, recessed lighting, HVAC
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Maria Quattrone,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
4,950
Median Age
32
Population Density
28 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.7%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$33,833
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$54,388
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
84.7%
College Graduates
43.7%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
20%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
98/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
85/ 100
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
89/ 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.
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.
