Philadelphia

Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in Pennsylvania and the sixth-largest city in the United States. As of July 2025, about 1.6 million people live there, with over 6 million in the surrounding area called the Delaware Valley.

The city was founded in 1682 by William Penn. It was very important during the American Revolution. The Founding Fathers met there and adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Philadelphia was also the nation’s first capital for some time before Washington, D.C. was built.

Today, Philadelphia is a big center for learning and research, with 17 universities and colleges. It has one of the largest urban parks in the United States and is popular with sports fans for its five professional teams. The city has a strong economy, with many large companies and a growing biotechnology sector. Philadelphia is also known for being the birthplace of many important firsts in American history, like the nation’s first library, hospital, and stock exchange.

History

Main article: History of Philadelphia

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Philadelphia.

See also: List of National Historic Landmarks in Philadelphia and National Register of Historic Places listings in Philadelphia

Native peoples

Before Europeans arrived in the 1600s, the Lenape people lived in an area called Shackamaxon, which is now Philadelphia. They lived along the Delaware River, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley. Many Lenape left the area in the 1700s as new colonies grew. They also faced diseases and conflicts. Some moved west into the Ohio River area, and after the American Revolutionary War, they moved further west. In the 1860s, most Lenape were sent from the eastern United States to present-day Oklahoma.

Colonial era

Europeans first came to Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley in the early 1600s. Dutch colonists built Fort Nassau on the Delaware River in 1623. Later, Swedish settlers founded New Sweden. In 1655, Dutch forces took control of New Sweden. In 1681, King Charles II of England gave land to William Penn, who founded the Pennsylvania colony. Penn bought the land from the Lenape and made a treaty of friendship with them. He named the city Philadelphia, which means "brotherly love" in Ancient Greek. Penn wanted Philadelphia to be a place where people of all religions could live in peace. He planned a city with wide streets and open spaces. By the 1750s, Philadelphia was an important trading center. Benjamin Franklin helped improve city services and started new ones like a fire company, library, and hospital.

American Revolution

Philadelphia was very important during the American Revolution. By the 1750s, it was the largest city and busiest port in the American colonies. In 1774, Philadelphia hosted the First Continental Congress. From 1775 to 1781, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776 at what is now called Independence Hall. Philadelphia also hosted the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where the U.S. Constitution was created. Philadelphia served as the nation’s capital for a time while Washington, D.C. was being built.

19th century

During the 1800s, Philadelphia became a center for many industries, especially textiles. Major companies included Baldwin Locomotive Works and the Pennsylvania Railroad. Many immigrants from Ireland, Germany, and other places settled in the city. In 1835, workers in Philadelphia held the first general strike in North America. The city grew with new construction and transportation projects. Philadelphia played a role in the American Civil War, and its African-American population grew during this time.

20th century

In the early 1900s, Philadelphia faced challenges with political issues and population changes. After World War II, many people moved to the suburbs, causing the city’s population to decline. Efforts to renew the city began in the late 1970s, focusing on areas like Center City and University City. New skyscrapers were built, and historic neighborhoods were renovated. Immigrants from many countries settled in Philadelphia, helping the city’s population grow again.

21st century

Philadelphia’s population began to grow again in 2007 and has continued to increase. Many people have moved from New York City to Philadelphia for a lower cost of living while still being in a large city.

Geography

Philadelphia is located at about 40° 0′ 34″ north latitude and 75° 8′ 0″ west longitude. The city covers 142.71 square miles (369.62 km²), with land and water areas. The city is bordered by rivers and has parks and creeks.

Philadelphia was planned in the 1600s with straight streets forming a grid. It has many neighborhoods, each with its own character. The city's buildings show many styles, from old colonial homes to modern skyscrapers. Row houses are common in many areas.

The city has many parks, with Fairmount Park being the largest. Philadelphia has hot, humid summers and cold winters, with snowfall varying each year. The city sometimes has air quality issues, but improvements have been made over the years.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Philadelphia

See also: Chinese in Philadelphia; History of Irish Americans in Philadelphia; History of Italian Americans in Philadelphia; Koreans in Philadelphia; Little Saigon, Philadelphia; History of Jews in Philadelphia; LGBT culture in Philadelphia; and Puerto Ricans in Philadelphia

As of the 2020 U.S. census, more than 1.6 million people live in Philadelphia. The city has many different kinds of people. About 39% are Black, 36% are White, 9% are Asian, and 8% belong to other groups. Many people speak languages other than English at home, like Spanish.

Philadelphia’s population changed over time. It was largest in 1950 and then got smaller before growing again.

Immigration and cultural diversity

Many people from other countries live in Philadelphia. Between 2000 and 2016, the number of people born in another country grew a lot. People come from places like China, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, India, and Vietnam.

Philadelphia has big groups of people from Ireland, Italy, Germany, and other European countries. It also has many Black Americans, Puerto Ricans, and people from many Asian countries.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Philadelphia

Most people in Philadelphia say they are Christian. Many different Christian groups exist, such as Protestant and Catholic churches. Some people follow other religions like Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, or Buddhism. Many people also say they do not follow any religion.

Languages

As of 2010^[update], most people in Philadelphia speak English at home. But many also speak other languages, such as Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, French, and Italian.

Poverty

Philadelphia has programs to help people who do not have enough food. Two big programs are Philabundance and Share Food Program.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Philadelphia

Philadelphia is linked to other big cities along the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, which helps its businesses. The city is an important economic center for Pennsylvania and the Delaware Valley area. Five big companies on the Fortune 500 list are based here. In 2021, the area made about $479 billion from goods and services, ranking ninth in the United States.

The city's economy includes many areas such as financial services, health care, technology, trade, transportation, manufacturing, oil refining, food processing, and tourism. Philadelphia is a top place for new business investments because it is close to New York City's money and technology. The biggest employers are the federal government and the city government. The University of Pennsylvania and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia are the largest private employers.

Finance and corporations

Main article: List of companies based in the Philadelphia area

Philadelphia is home to many important companies. It has the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, known for trading options, and big companies like Comcast, Cigna, Colonial Penn, Independence Blue Cross, and Aramark. Other companies include chemical makers, pharmaceutical firms, clothing stores, and more.

Tech and biotech

Philadelphia is a center for technology and biotechnology. The area is attracting new companies in life sciences, helped by its closeness to New York City and Washington, D.C.

Tourism

See also: List of tourist attractions in Philadelphia

Philadelphia's history attracts many visitors. Places like the Independence National Historical Park, which includes the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, welcome millions each year. The city also hosts events like the Naked Bike Ride, which draws people from everywhere.

Trade and transportation

Main article: Transportation in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia International Airport has grown to serve more passengers and has many new facilities. The Port of Philadelphia has also expanded to handle bigger ships. 30th Street Station is one of the busiest train stations in the country, with millions of people passing through each year.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Philadelphia

See also: List of National Historic Landmarks in Philadelphia, List of sites of interest in Philadelphia, and List of tourist attractions in Philadelphia

Philadelphia has many important places from the early days of the United States. Independence National Historical Park is the center of these special spots and is one of the country's 22 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can visit Independence Hall, where important papers were signed, and see the famous Liberty Bell. The city also has many old homes, government buildings, and churches that are important to American history. Philadelphia has 67 special historic places, more than most cities.

The city has great science and history museums, such as the Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and the National Constitution Center. Philadelphia also has the country's first zoo and hospital, as well as a very big park called Fairmount Park.

Arts

See also: List of museums in Philadelphia, List of public art in Philadelphia, and Mummers Parade

Philadelphia has many art museums, including the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Rodin Museum. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the biggest art museums in the world. The steps leading to the museum became famous after the movie Rocky.

Every year, Philadelphia holds special events like the Philadelphia Film Festival, the 6abc Dunkin' Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Mummers Parade.

The city has many theaters and music venues, such as the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Academy of Music. Places like South Street and Old City are busy with activity at night.

Cuisine

Main article: Cuisine of Philadelphia

Philadelphia is famous for its special foods like hoagies, scrapple, soft pretzels, water ice, and the cheesesteak sandwich. You can find these tasty treats at many restaurants and markets around the city.

The Reading Terminal Market is a very old and big market where you can find many different kinds of food.

Dialect

People in Philadelphia speak with a special accent that many consider unique in North America. This accent is heard mostly in areas around Philadelphia and shares some features with accents from nearby places.

Music

Main article: Music of Philadelphia

Philadelphia has a rich music history. The Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the best in the United States. The city has also been home to many famous musicians and has played an important role in shaping American popular music. Shows like American Bandstand started in Philadelphia, and the city has hosted big concerts like Live Aid.

Sports

Main article: Sports in Philadelphia

See also: Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Phillies, and Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia has a long history in sports, dating back to the 1800s. Its first professional team was the Philadelphia Athletics, a baseball team, which began in 1860. In 1876, they helped create the National League, one of the world's oldest leagues.

Philadelphia is one of only twelve U.S. cities with teams in all four major sports: baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies, football with the Philadelphia Eagles, hockey with the Philadelphia Flyers, and basketball with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Phillies are the oldest team in U.S. sports history to still play under the same name in the same city.

The city also has a soccer team, the Philadelphia Union, which plays in Chester, Pennsylvania at Subaru Park.

Philadelphia's teams have won championships in all four major sports and in soccer. The Phillies won the World Series in 2008, and the Eagles won the Super Bowl after the 2017 season and again after the 2024 season.

Philadelphia is also home to many college teams, including the Philadelphia Big 5 in basketball. The city will help host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Law and government

See also: Philadelphia City Hall

Philadelphia County is a legal nullity. All county jobs were taken over by the city in 1952. The city has been the same as the county since 1854.

Philadelphia made its special rules in 1952. These rules were made by a group called the City Charter Commission. The group was started by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1949. People in the city voted for these rules in 1951, and new leaders started in January 1952.

The city has a system where one mayor has a lot of power. The mayor can choose and remove leaders of different groups without needing approval from the city council. The mayor serves four years and can serve only two times in a row.

Courts

See also: District Attorney of Philadelphia, United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is part of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas handles important cases, like serious crimes and big money disagreements. The court also checks decisions from smaller courts.

As of 2018, the city's top legal leader is Larry Krasner. Before him, Ronald D. Castille served and later became a top judge in Pennsylvania.

The Philadelphia Municipal Court deals with traffic, smaller crimes, and disagreements about money or renting homes.

Pennsylvania has higher courts that also meet in Philadelphia. These include the Supreme Court, the Superior Court, and the Commonwealth Court. Judges for these courts are chosen by everyone in the state.

Philadelphia is also home to important federal courts, like the United States District Court and the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Politics

See also: List of mayors of Philadelphia; Philadelphia City Council; and Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania § Politics

The current mayor is Cherelle Parker, who won the election in November 2023. Before her, Jim Kenney was mayor from 2016 to 2024. Parker belongs to the Democratic Party. Since 1952, every mayor of Philadelphia has been a Democrat.

The Philadelphia City Council has ten members from different areas and seven members chosen by everyone. Most are from the Democratic Party. The council has leaders from different groups, including the Working Families Party.

Wards and divisions

Philadelphia has a system of groups called wards and divisions. There are 66 wards, each with 11 to 51 smaller parts called divisions. Each division chooses two leaders who live there. These leaders pick one main leader for their ward. Most wards have one leader who decides everything, but some let all leaders share in the decision.

Political party affiliations

Chart of voter registration

1. Democratic (75.2%)
2. Republican (11.3%)
3. Independent (11.0%)
4. Other Parties (2.50%)

Philadelphia used to support the Republican Party until the mid-1930s. The first big meeting of the Republican Party happened here in 1856. After the Great Depression, more people joined the Democratic Party. Since 1936, Philadelphia has voted for Democratic leaders in every big national vote.

Philadelphia has three main areas for choosing leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives. All three leaders are Democrats.

Pennsylvania's long-serving top leader, Arlen Specter, went to school at the University of Pennsylvania and started his law work in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia has hosted many big meetings for different parties over the years.

Environmental policy

"Green Cities, Clean Water" is a plan in Philadelphia to help the environment. It aims to reduce problems from climate change, like hotter temperatures and more rain. Even with these plans, the city is expected to get warmer and more crowded. The city needs to think about how to prepare for these changes when making new plans.

Public safety

Police and law enforcement

Some areas of Philadelphia have more serious crimes than others. For example, parts like Frankford and Kensington have seen many serious crimes. Other areas, like Center City and South Philadelphia, have fewer.

The number of serious crimes has gone down over the years.

In 2014, Philadelphia changed its rules about small amounts of certain plants, making it a small fine instead of a crime. This led to fewer people being arrested for it.

Firefighting

The Philadelphia Fire Department works to keep people safe from fires and other emergencies. They respond quickly to help, prevent fires, and teach the public about safety. They have many teams for different kinds of emergencies, including special teams for the airport and the port. They also have a training center to teach new firefighters.

Education

Main article: Education in Philadelphia

See also: Free Library of Philadelphia

Philadelphia has many schools and colleges. The School District of Philadelphia runs most of the city's public schools. It is one of the biggest school districts in the country.

The city has many colleges and universities. The University of Pennsylvania is a well-known university started long ago by Benjamin Franklin. Temple University is the largest university in the city. There are also many other schools for different kinds of learning.

See also: School District of Philadelphia

See also: List of colleges and universities in Philadelphia

Media

See also: Media in Philadelphia

Newspapers

Philadelphia has two main daily newspapers: The Philadelphia Inquirer, which started in 1829, and The Philadelphia Daily News, which began in 1925. The Daily News is now part of the Inquirer. These newspapers have had many owners over the years. They were sold to a new company in 2012 after some money problems.

There are also many smaller newspapers for different groups, like the Philadelphia Tribune for the African-American community, Philadelphia magazine, Philadelphia Weekly, Philadelphia Gay News for the LGBT community, The Jewish Exponent for the Jewish community, Al Día for the Latino community, and Philadelphia Metro which is free. Colleges also have their own newspapers, like The Daily Pennsylvanian from the University of Pennsylvania, The Temple News from Temple University, and The Triangle from Drexel University.

Radio

The first experimental radio station in Philadelphia started in 1912. Commercial radio stations began in 1922. Today, Philadelphia has many FM and AM radio stations playing different kinds of music and news.

Television

Television began in Philadelphia in the 1930s. The city has many TV stations representing all the major networks. Philadelphia is also where Comcast, a big company that owns many TV stations, is based.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Main article: Transportation in Philadelphia

See also: 30th Street Station, List of SEPTA Metro stations, and Philadelphia International Airport

Philadelphia has many ways to get around, thanks to SEPTA. SEPTA runs buses, trains, subways, and trolley cars through the city and nearby areas. The city has two main subway lines: one going east to west and the other north to south.

Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station is a very busy train station. Many people use it every day to travel on Amtrak and other train services.

The city has two main airports. Philadelphia International Airport is the bigger one, with many flights to different places. The second airport, Northeast Philadelphia Airport, is smaller and mostly used for private planes.

Airports

See also: Philadelphia International Airport

Philadelphia has two airports. Philadelphia International Airport is the larger one and offers many flights around the world. The second airport, Northeast Philadelphia Airport, is used mainly for smaller, private planes.

Roads

Philadelphia’s streets were planned a long time ago. Some streets have numbers, and others are named after trees. The two main streets are Broad Street and Market Street.

There are several big highways around the city, including Interstate 95 and Interstate 76. These highways connect Philadelphia to nearby cities like New York and Baltimore.

Bus service

The Greyhound terminal is in Center City. Other bus companies also stop there or at other places in the city.

Rail

Further information: History of rail transport in Philadelphia

Philadelphia has been an important place for trains for a long time. Many train companies started here, and today, 30th Street Station is one of the busiest in the country. Trains stop there from many places, including Washington and Boston.

Utilities

Water purity and availability

Philadelphia gets its water from two rivers. The city has special plants that clean the water before it reaches homes. These plants can clean a lot of water every day!

Electricity

Further information: PECO Energy Company

PECO Energy Company provides electricity to many people in Philadelphia and nearby areas. They have many power lines and stations all around.

Natural gas

Philadelphia Gas Works provides gas to homes and businesses in the city. It is owned by the city and has been helping people heat their homes and cook for many years.

Telecommunications

See also: Area codes 215, 267, and 445

Southeastern Pennsylvania uses several area codes for phone numbers. The original area code was 215. Later, new area codes like 267 and 445 were added to make sure there were enough numbers for everyone.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Philadelphia

Philadelphia has been home to many famous people. The city has had well-known figures in entertainment, sports, and politics. Some of these people have helped shape American culture and society.

Sister cities

Philadelphia has special relationships with several cities around the world, called sister cities. These partnerships help bring people together and share culture and ideas.

There is a park in Philadelphia called Sister Cities Park where you can learn more about these friendships. It was first opened in 1976 and has been updated since then. There is also a special gate in the Chinatown area to celebrate one of these sister city ties.

The city works with many places to support peace and understanding. Sometimes leaders talk about how these relationships should change, but the goal is always to connect people from different parts of the world.