Is Fairmount Safe, Pros and cons of living in Fairmount

Fairmount, a vibrant neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offers a compelling mix of urban convenience and historical charm. Nestled near the Schuylkill River and known for its proximity to the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art, it attracts a diverse population seeking both cultural richness and a strong sense of community. The area boasts a lively atmosphere with numerous bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks, making it an appealing destination for young professionals and established residents alike.

The neighborhood’s name originates from Fairmount Hill, the site of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and its history is deeply intertwined with the city’s development. Its streets are lined with a variety of housing options, from historic brownstones to modern apartments, contributing to its unique character. Fairmount provides residents with a dense urban feel while offering access to significant green spaces, including the expansive Fairmount Park, one of the largest urban park systems in the nation.

Is it Safe to Live in Fairmount?

Fairmount is considered a neighborhood with a relatively low crime risk. It has received a B+ grade, indicating that its crime rate is lower than the average U.S. neighborhood (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). This safety assessment places Fairmount in the 74th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 74% of all neighborhoods, though less safe than 26% (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The crime rate in Fairmount is approximately 26.29 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

While the overall crime rate is favorable, specific areas within Fairmount have varying safety perceptions. Residents generally consider the southern parts of the neighborhood to be the safest, with chances of being a victim of crime ranging from 1 in 30 in the southwest to 1 in 47 in the south (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Property crime, specifically, has a rate of 18.45 per 1,000 residents annually (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The east parts of Fairmount experience the most crime incidents, while the northeast parts have the fewest (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Housing Costs and Real Estate

The housing market in Fairmount is characterized by a median home value of approximately $442,808, which is higher than the Philadelphia average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The median listing price for a home in Fairmount is around $479,000 (as reported by Realtor.com®). Homes in Fairmount tend to sell relatively quickly, with a median of 20 days on the market, indicating a hot market (as reported by Realtor.com®).

For renters, the median rent in Fairmount is approximately $1,869 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). The average rent for an apartment in Fairmount can range from $1,021 to $3,986 per month, depending on various factors such as size and location (as reported by ApartmentAdvisor). A 1-bedroom apartment typically rents for around $1,600, while a 2-bedroom apartment averages about $2,150 (as reported by Zumper).

Cost of Living and Income

The cost of living in Fairmount is generally considered to be lower than the U.S. average. Specifically, it is about 11% lower than the national average and about 4% lower than the Pennsylvania state average (as reported by Suburban Solutions). This affordability extends to various aspects of daily life, including food, transportation, housing, healthcare, and utilities, which are all more affordable than the U.S. average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).

The average annual household income in Fairmount was reported as $146,564 in 2024 (as reported by U.S. Census Bureau). The median household income is $112,037, showing a slight increase from the previous year (as reported by U.S. Census Bureau). Households led by residents aged 25 to 44 have a median income of $120,676, while those with someone aged 45 to 64 in charge earn approximately $146,563 (as reported by U.S. Census Bureau).

Job Market and Major Employers

The workforce in Fairmount is predominantly employed in professional or administrative positions, with a significant majority working for private companies (as reported by Point2Homes). A notable portion of residents also engage in entrepreneurship, with about 7.6% running their own businesses (as reported by Point2Homes). The area’s employment landscape is diverse, catering to a mix of white-collar and blue-collar roles, with common sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, and retail trade (as reported by Data USA for Fairmont, MN, and NeighborhoodScout for Fairmont, NC).

While specific major employers for Fairmount, Philadelphia are not detailed in the provided search results, larger employers in related areas include Fairmont Regional Medical Center and MVB Bank in Fairmont, WV (as reported by Zippia). In Fairmont, NC, major employers include McDonald’s, Dollar General, and the U.S. Postal Service (as reported by Indeed.com). For Fairmont, MN, key employment sectors are manufacturing, healthcare, and retail trade (as reported by Data USA).

Climate and Weather

Fairmount experiences a climate with hot and muggy summers and short, cold winters. Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from 35°F to 90°F, rarely dropping below 23°F or exceeding 96°F (as reported by WeatherSpark for Fairmont, NC). The hottest month is July, with average highs around 90°F and lows of 72°F, while January is the coldest, with average lows of 36°F and highs of 55°F (as reported by WeatherSpark for Fairmont, NC).

Annual precipitation averages around 42 inches, with a higher chance of wet days occurring between May and September (as reported by myPerfectWeather for Fairmount, Indiana). July typically sees the most rainfall, with an average of 15.6 wet days (as reported by WeatherSpark for Fairmont, NC). Snowfall is minimal, with the snowy period lasting about two months and January seeing the most snow (as reported by WeatherSpark for Fairmont, NC).

Education and Schools

Educational opportunities in Fairmount are primarily served by the School District of Philadelphia. Within the neighborhood, schools like Bache-Martin School and Laura Wheeler Waring Public School are part of this district (as reported by Suburban Solutions). Historically, residents have also attended Benjamin Franklin High School, Roman Catholic High School, and J. W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School (as reported by Wikipedia).

While specific school ratings for Fairmount, Philadelphia are not detailed, Fairmount Elementary School in Everett, WA, ranks in the bottom 50% for overall test scores (as reported by Niche). Conversely, Fairmount Elementary School in St. Peters, MO, is highly rated, with 52% of students proficient in math and 58% in reading (as reported by Niche).

Demographics and Population

Fairmount is home to approximately 6,226 residents, with a median age of 33 years (as reported by Point2Homes). The population is relatively young, with the largest age group being adults between 25 and 44, making up 51.1% of residents (as reported by Point2Homes). The racial makeup of Fairmount is predominantly Caucasian, accounting for 72.2% of the population, followed by African American at 10.3% and Asian at 7% (as reported by Point2Homes).

The neighborhood has seen increasing gentrification, attracting newcomers for its proximity to Center City (as reported by Wikipedia). Gender-wise, 46.9% of Fairmount locals are male, and 53.1% are female (as reported by Point2Homes). The community has 3,432 households, with an average of two members per household (as reported by Point2Homes).