Nicetown

Nicetown-Tioga is located in North Philadelphia just below the Medical Schools of Temple University at Broad and Allegheny. Its boundaries include Wingohocking Street, Roberts Avenue, Broad Street, and Allegheny Avenue.

In the pre-Revolutionary War period the area was settled by Mennonites. They were followed by Irish-Catholic and Polish-Jewish settlers. During the great migration from the South in the years following World War II, numerous African Americans found their way to Nicetown in search of a better life. The manufacturing plants in North Philadelphia have been a source of steady work.

Many of the multi-story homes have been carved into apartments bringing renters and a horde of children. Combatting crime is a constant struggle and the area is not recommended for new-comers or the faint of heart.

Property values have declined by 17 percent in the last five years according to a recent survey by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Transportation is excellent as it is the crossroads to the wealthier northwest regions of the city. Germantown Avenue and Erie Avenue carry an abundance of trolleys and bus routes. The Broad Street subway runs underground.


Area residents strive to maintain a vibrant community. The area is host to a number of organizations including: The Salvation Army VFW Post, Habitat for Humanity, and The American Red Cross.

Despite what the name suggests, there are not a lot of nice things to say about the neighborhood of Nicetown. Located in the North section of Philadelphia, the area is bound by Broad Street to the east, Roberts Avenue to the west, Wingohocking Street to the north and Allegheny Avenue to the south.
Nicetown is mainly made up of low income African American residents and suffers from a high crime rate. The area is also one of the most affordable places to live in the city due to nobody wanting to move there. The streets are often covered with garbage and there are a lot of abandon lots in the neighborhood.
The average house in Nicetown sells for about $21,250. The neighborhood consists mainly of row homes and single-family houses and includes a few apartment complexes. Parking is very available due to the low percentage of people who reside in this area.
Nicetown has seen some gentrification attempts in the last couple of years. Some of the residents want to take more pride in their neighborhood and have come together to clean up the streets.
One of the draws of the neighborhood is the Free Library of Philadelphia Nicetown Branch which is located at 3720 North Broad Street.