Dirtiest to Cleanest Neighborhoods in Philadelphia
As Jon lovingly puts it, “My hometown wears a lot of hats”. Initially, I thought he meant culturally, but that was not the case. “Philadelphia’s personality traverses affordable homeownership, sustainability, jobs, and commute. This city also faces crime, corruption, and litter.”
When Jon suggested that we talk about Philadelphia through the lens of clean neighborhoods, I was immediately intrigued. If you’re finding ways to sell your house quickly, a clean neighborhood will surely seal the deal. But it’s essential to identify the dirtiest and cleanest neighborhoods in Philadelphia.
What is a Dirty or Clean Neighborhood?
The City of Brotherly Love doesn’t mess around when it comes to the quality of its neighborhoods. The City releases a Litter Index that tracks conditions across different blocks.
- Periodic tracking to identify zones.
- Produce a citywide litter index.
- Target cleanups.
Mayor Parker has plans to eliminate filth in the city by transforming blocks into safe, clean, and green spaces. The City is targeting neighborhoods with the highest litter concentrations. And rightly so.
The program was initiated in 2019 with six neighborhoods. It now serves fourteen zones. That speaks highly of the success the program achieved in creating a distinction between the dirtiest and cleanest neighborhoods in Philadelphia.
The Dirtiest Neighborhoods in Philadelphia
When we mark inventory while buying homes in Philadelphia, the quality of the neighborhoods is essential. A friend from the City department states, “A few parts of Philadelphia are always on the department’s radar because of persistent litter.”
Parts of North Philadelphia
Certain parts of North Philadelphia have been a concern for the city because of vacant lots and illegal dumping.
West Poplar/Fairhill
These neighborhoods have higher frequencies of litter and are often included in targeted cleanups. Our friend Robin participates in community-based cleanups and advises that “one should not judge or shame neighborhoods, but appreciate the efforts of residents who work hard to keep their blocks clean”.
Areas with Abandoned Lots
Abandoned lots (especially around outer Kensington and South-western blocks) can create hot-spots that require repeated cleanups.
You may wonder why these neighborhoods are on the list. The answer is pretty simple:
- Higher concentration of vacant lots.
- Fewer investments for development.
- Illegal dumping.
The Cleanest Neighborhoods in Philadelphia
Certain neighborhoods tend to score better on the Litter Index. These neighborhoods can attract private investments and city services.
Chestnut Hill
This is one of the city’s priciest and cleanest neighborhoods. The homeowners’ association maintains the public spaces with enthusiasm.
Areas Near the City Center
The areas with active property associations and high pedestrian traffic are cleaned more often. Jon claims, “There is more pressure from the community for the areas to be maintained”.
Parts of Northwest Philadelphia
These areas combine community efforts and fewer vacant lots to promote cleaner neighborhood appearances.
What Can Residents & Policymakers Do?
Cleaning a neighborhood isn’t easy, but there’s a lot that all of us can do:
- Presence of local groups.
- Property rehabilitation.
- Following better practices.
- Containment of trash.
Conclusion
Labeling neighborhoods “dirtiest” or “cleanest” is not the right way. If you’re considering selling your home or moving to Philadelphia, always assess neighborhoods through the lens of safety, reliability, and cleanliness.
