Chinatown started small. Le Fong founded the first business, a laundry in 1871. It was located at 913 Race Street. Until the middle 60’s, it only contained a limited number of shops and restaurants centered around Race Street. The Vine Street Expressway and the Pennsylvania Convention Center cut into the real estate boundaries of Chinatown. The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation was formed in 1968 in part to prevent further encroachment of this sort. It gave members of the community more say over local development. They were instrumental in stopping a ballpark for the Philadelphia Phillies from being built in a portion of Chinatown.
Chinatown may not have many luxury homes, but the real estate here is hard to beat for charm and location.
Boundaries: North/South: Vine Steet/Arch Street
East/West: 8th Street/12th Street
School information: Residents of Chinatown are zoned to the General George A. McCall
School for grades K-8 and are zoned to either Horace Furness High School or Benjamin Franklin High School.
Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation: http://chinatown-pcdc.org/
Philadelphia Chinatown Travel and Visitor Information: http://www.philadelphia-chinatown.info/
Percentage change from latest quarter vs same time period previous year
Data compiled using 2nd quarter 2024 data vs. same period from 2023
Population by Age Level. Median Age 37.75. Households: 1,339.
In Thousand of Dollars. (Median Income: $62,711)
Population by Education Level
Fair Market Rents
Chinatown in Philadelphia is a district in the Center City that provides a rich blend of culture along with much opportunity in the real estate market. The zone is predominantly Asian in population, but there is a diverse blend of inhabitants attracted by the area’s convenient location and host of amenities.
This neighborhood dates back to the middle of the last century. An influx of immigrants from China came into the region at that time, and they established a number of small shops and businesses that were centered around the wharves in the port area.
The area has continued to thrive, and it still attracts recent Chinese immigrants along with other Asian groups as well as a mix of people looking to take advantage of its choice locale so close to downtown and the waterfront.
While luxury homes can be found in the Chinatown district, they are not the predominant form of real estate. The norm here tends more towards townhomes and condos. Many of these are of recent construction and offer a quality of construction and attention to detail that is a hallmark of luxury homes.
Chinatown is renowned for its ethnic cuisine. It has a number of Asian restaurants, cafes, bakeries and markets. Small specialty shops feature a variety of imported goods that are not usually found outside the area. Whether looking for an Oriental delicacy or a fine piece of silk, this is the place to come looking for it.
After passing under the iconic Chinatown Friendship Gate, residents and visitors are welcomed into a Philadelphia neighborhood unlike any other. Philadelphia’s Chinatown community is situated in an excellent location – nestled between the skyscrapers of Center City, Old City’s historic haunts and Northern Liberties ever expanding boarders. It features an unparalleled shopping experience, a constant supply of intriguing sights and an out-of-this world selection of diverse restaurants, markets and bakeries.
Residents are privileged by these endless options for exploration, with the ability to discover hidden gems and new favorites daily. One of Chinatown’s biggest draws is that it consistently remains hip and current while maintaining deep cultural roots and a strong sense of community. It is common for new, contemporary bars and cafes to be situated directly next to decades old neighborhood staples. The area has a thrilling nightlife with hip music venues, karaoke bars and relaxing pubs throughout. Chinatown’s distinct atmosphere and style, in addition to its convenient location causes it to be a thriving and desirable community.
