Population 3,877 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in University City
Household size in University City
| Period | University City | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.80 | 2.64 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.43 | 2.68 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.83 | 2.65 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.01 | 2.57 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.21 | −0.07 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in University City are small: just 2.01 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has climbed from 1.80 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in University City
| Period | University City | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.0 | 38.5 | 40.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 21.7 | 39.3 | 41.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 20.9 | 40.3 | 41.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 22.6 | 40.4 | 42.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.6 | +1.9 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
University City is young: half of its residents are under 22.6, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults in their twenties. University City has the youngest population of any Philadelphia neighborhood.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in University City
| Period | University City | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.0% | 12.2% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.1% | 11.8% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 1.3% | 11.7% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.7% | 12.1% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −0.1 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in University City: 1.7% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Only one other Philadelphia neighborhood has a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in University City
Renters in University City
| Period | University City | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.5% | 30.2% | 29.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 88.5% | 32.1% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 91.2% | 32.7% | 31.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 92.7% | 33.2% | 30.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +3.0 pts | +1.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in University City rent: 92.7% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among owners, 98.1% have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. University City has the highest share of renters of any Philadelphia neighborhood.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in University City
| Period | University City | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.6% | 9.1% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.6% | 9.2% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.2% | 9.0% | 10.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.7% | 6.9% | 9.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | −2.2 pts | −1.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in University City than nationally: 6.7%, against 9.6% for the U.S. The Philadelphia area as a whole looks much the same. University City has a lower vacancy rate than at least four in five Philadelphia neighborhoods.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in University City
| Period | University City | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1981 | 1964 | 1963 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1985 | 1965 | 1964 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 2002 | 1965 | 1965 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2006 | 1968 | 1967 | 1980 |
| Change | +25 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Much of the housing in University City is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 2006, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. No other Philadelphia neighborhood has newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in University City
| Period | University City | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,947 | $1,049 | $829 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,982 | $1,147 | $923 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,430 | $1,281 | $1,039 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $3,009 | $1,631 | $1,323 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,062 | +$582 | +$494 | +$606 |
Rent in University City runs $3,009 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 33.6% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. No other Philadelphia neighborhood has higher rents.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in University City
Bachelor's degrees in University City
| Period | University City | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 63.9% | 32.7% | 27.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 63.5% | 34.4% | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 54.7% | 37.9% | 31.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 74.5% | 42.3% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.6 pts | +9.6 pts | +8.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
University City is highly educated: about three-quarters of adults 25 and older (74.5%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. University City has a higher share of college graduates than at least four in five Philadelphia neighborhoods.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in University City
| Period | University City | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.6% | 87.5% | 87.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 81.2% | 88.9% | 88.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.4% | 90.5% | 90.3% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 100.0% | 91.9% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.3 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in University City: 100.0% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. University City has the highest share of high school graduates of any Philadelphia neighborhood.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in University City
| Period | University City | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.6% | 8.4% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.6% | 10.2% | 8.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.4% | 6.3% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.6% | 6.1% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | +7.0 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in University City: 12.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. University City has higher unemployment than at least four in five Philadelphia neighborhoods. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
University City compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University City | 2.01 | 22.6 | 1.7% | 92.7% | 6.7% | 2006 | $3,009 | 74.5% | 100.0% | 12.6% |
| Rittenhouse Square | 1.50 | 41.5 | 1.7% | 68.4% | 15.7% | 1955 | $2,063 | 85.0% | 98.6% | 3.3% |
| City Center West | 1.48 | 38.0 | 2.1% | 67.3% | 11.6% | 1960 | $2,048 | 85.0% | 97.2% | 1.9% |
| Schuylkill Southwest | 2.02 | 32.1 | 5.4% | 50.2% | 13.6% | 1966 | $2,164 | 77.3% | 96.3% | 4.7% |
| Belmont | 2.15 | 33.7 | 26.3% | 69.6% | 18.0% | 1951 | $1,138 | 27.8% | 87.4% | 10.9% |
| Spring Garden | 1.64 | 36.0 | 3.3% | 76.9% | 12.2% | 1974 | $2,083 | 81.3% | 98.1% | 3.4% |
| Fairmount | 1.86 | 37.2 | 3.8% | 48.8% | 6.8% | 1961 | $2,028 | 84.7% | 97.7% | 2.9% |
| Grays Ferry | 2.44 | 33.1 | 20.8% | 60.4% | 16.2% | 1953 | $1,218 | 28.8% | 81.7% | 9.7% |
| Cobbs Creek | 2.12 | 31.0 | 11.6% | 63.8% | 15.0% | 1946 | $1,543 | 49.0% | 93.1% | 8.4% |
| Point Breeze-Philadelphia | 2.24 | 36.1 | 14.2% | 39.4% | 12.9% | 1941 | $1,685 | 49.6% | 89.2% | 6.7% |
| Chinatown | 1.49 | 38.6 | 6.3% | 73.7% | 10.7% | 1980 | $1,952 | 64.9% | 88.8% | 8.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Third World, San Antonio, TX · Berg-Lasher, Detroit, MI · Braun's Farm, San Antonio, TX · Brookfield Village, Oakland, CA · Buckingham Lake-Crestwood, Albany, NY · Kensington, San Diego, CA · Kent Corner, Riverside, RI · Lakewood, Jacksonville, FL · 9th and 9th, Salt Lake City, UT · Yorktown, Huntington Beach, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up University City. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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