KENSINGTON, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

'Kensington' is a neighborhood located in the United States city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is located in the Near Northeast section of Philadelphia, located just a couple of miles northeast of Center City.
Kensington has served as one of the integral Irish American neighborhoods in the city. Also heavily represented are Polish and Americans of German, English, and Scots-Irish descent. Since the latter half of the 20th Century, the area has seen an increase in the number of Latino residents, including Puerto Ricans, Dominican Americans, and even some Mexicans. The South Kensington area has a large number of Arab groups, such as Palestinians, Egyptians, and Algerians.
In the nineteenth century, Kensington was one of the leading centers of the textile industry, particularly in carpet manufacture.
Traditionally working-class, Kensington was hurt from the closing down of the area's factories beginning in the 60's, which has led to unemployment and the abandoning of several homes in the neighborhood. However, some sections of the neighborhood have been arguably gentrified, especially those near Fishtown, another traditionally working class neighborhood which has seen rents increase. While most of the large manufacturers have left, the area has many small-shops and large factories for the newer artisans to set up shop.
Kensington is well-known throughout the region and the entire nation for being one of Philadelphia's poorest, most crime-ridden neighborhoods. Despite some recent revitalization, drug sales and frequent shootings continue to plague the area.
In 2005, the 19125 zip code, which contains Kensington and Fishtown, had a median home sale price of $129,950. This was a 46% increase over the median price in 2004.

Contents

Kensington District

External links

Kensington District

The Kensington District of Philadelphia County originally designated a larger area now referred to by various names. Today's neighborhoods of Olde Kensington and West Kensington were part of the district.

External links

★ Kensington History Encyclopaedia

★ New Kensington Community Development Corporation