Philadelphia has often been described as a city of neighborhoods, with more than 150 of them throughout the city. These communities’ history, landscape, and vibrancy—as well as their residents—are as diverse as their names and boundaries, which can vary according to which source you consult.
Each year, Pew’s “State of the City” report assesses factors such as demographics, housing, the economy, public safety, and public health—predominantly at the city level and also through comparisons with other large U.S. cities. Given how many Philadelphians identify with a particular neighborhood, how location shapes access to opportunities and services, and the importance of neighborhood-level data for policymakers and other city leaders, Pew decided to create this special series as a companion to the 2025 report.
The neighborhoods examined in each piece were selected because they have experienced the given topic differently from the city as a whole or have experienced a notable trend over time.