Wynnefield Heights, Philadelphia Explained

Wynnefield Heights
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Pennsylvania
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Philadelphia
Subdivision Type3:City
Subdivision Name3:Philadelphia
Mapsize:300px
Pushpin Map:Philadelphia
Area Code:215, 267, and 445

Wynnefield Heights is a middle class neighborhood that is located in the greater West Philadelphia area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The neighborhood is bounded by City Avenue to the north, Belmont Avenue to the west, Fairmount Park to the south and east, and the Schuylkill Expressway to the east.

History and notable features

This area is also known as Woodside Park or Balwynne Park. "Woodside Park" is the name of a former amusement park that was built in 1897 by the Fairmount Park Transportation Company and continued in operation until 1955.

There are a number of apartment complexes and hotels in the neighborhood, as the Schuylkill Expressway (Route 76) and Belmont Avenue provide quick access to Center City, Philadelphia and the nearby suburbs located in Montgomery County. Major business and government facilities in the neighborhood are ABC Channel 6's studios, Target, the Philadelphia Water Department. Belmont Water Treatment Facility and Reservoir, the Pennsylvania State Police Troop K Barracks, and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine's (PCOM) main campus.

Demographics

Per 2010 U.S. Census data, the community is racially diverse with 36.7% African-American, 48.3% Caucasian, 9.5% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 2.8% Hispanic/Latino. As of 2010, the HUD Estimated Median Family Income for the neighborhood was approximately $76,200.

The neighborhood offers a variety of housing types: two-story brick town homes and row duplexes, garden apartments, and mid-rise and high-rise apartment homes. Of the 5,601 total housing units located in the area per 2010 Census data, 1,045 or 18.7% are owner-occupied units. At this time there are no public or parochial schools within the Wynnefield Heights neighborhood.

The Wynnefield Heights Civic Association ("WHCA") aims to "promote civic action and interaction between the residents and businesses ofWynnefield Heights for the purposes of creating a safe, clean and responsible community."[1] WHCA holds an annual Community Day in July at the new Woodside Park & Playground located in the neighborhood.

Notes and References

  1. wynnefieldheights.org, "Membership - Who We Are". Accessed 5 March 2011.