Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
State Pennsylvania
City Philadelphia
County1 Philadelphia*
City Population (2005)2 1,406,415 11.7% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 5 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 5 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Very Large
City Size Classification - Population Density High Density
State Capitol City Harrisburg
State Population (2005)2 11,979,147
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) John F. Street
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.phila.gov/mayor/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 215-686-2181
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, November 6, 2007
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06  Yes
State Governor Name Ed Rendell
State/Governor Website http://www.state.pa.us/
State/Governor Contact Information 717-787-2500
State/Governor Party Affiliation Democrat
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.36    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 19.1%    
     Disability Status 22.1% 65  
     Emphysema 1.28% 58  
     Cardiovascular Disease 25.07% 56  
     Diabetes 5.30% 57  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.52% 55  
     Adult Asthma 9.40% 61  
     Adult Obesity 21.4%   33
     People Without Health Insurance 11.1%   9
     Age: Children under 5 years 7.4% 35  
     Age: 65 years and over 13.0% 62  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 17.0% 21  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 23.5% 15  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 58.1% 11  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 12.4% 63  
     Individuals Below Poverty 24.9% 64  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 31.3% 59  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 66.7% 43  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 19.9% 41  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 3.7    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 44.4 (of 51) 66  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 147,927,201 pounds   48
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 179,544,533 pounds 45
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 29,264,860 pounds 43
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 761,136,357 pounds 39
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 1,001,166,763 pounds 45
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 177.7 grams 43
Number of Superfund Sites in County 3 sites 48  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 1.130 tons per person 34
Recycling Rate (1997) 26.0% 25
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 15,428,702 tons 44
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.2 tons/person 15
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 3,675,683 tons 9
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 23.8% 22
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 18.6% 9
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 6.2% 19
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) -8.5% 25
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score) 4.1    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 889,800 tons   47
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 200,900 tons   43
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 110,887,300 tons   44
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 9,140.0 pounds   48
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 15.8 days 56  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 10.3 PM2.5 60  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 16.2 PM2.5 48  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 12.2 days 52  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 6.7 PM2.5 56  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 15.4 PM2.5 50  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 4 ppm 42  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) 0.04 ug/m3 15  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.025 ppm 48  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 31 ug/m3 41  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.008 ppm 47  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 22 days 45  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    2.1***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade Fair ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade Good ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade Poor ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Schuylkill ---  
# of Units in Watershed (Not Available) (Not Available)  
# of Assessed Watershed Units (Not Available) (Not Available)  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units (Not Available) (Not Available)  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened (Not Available) 1  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed (Not Available) 1  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 41.41 inches 23  
Water Area Total, square miles 1,239 square miles 38  
Water Area Inland, square miles 490 square miles 50  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 0 square miles 35  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 749 square miles 8  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Philadelphia ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 58 years 22  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 117 days 22  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Philadelphia ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 56 years 29  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 20.4 inches 29  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 9,680,000,000 gallons/day 30  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 802,000,000 gallons/day 55  
Ground water, gallons/day 860,000,000 gallons/day 42  
Surface water, gallons/day 8,820,000,000 gallons/day 28  
Irrigation, gallons/day 16,000,000 gallons/day 65  
Public Supply, gallons/day 1,730,000,000 gallons/day 20  
Industrial, gallons/day 1,930,000,000 gallons/day 10  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 5,930,000,000 gallons/day 28  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 565,000,000 gallons/day 45  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Philadelphia Water Dept. ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 1,600,000 people 7  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2002 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 12 contaminants 17  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 3 contaminants 26  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 2 contaminants 14  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 1 contaminant 6  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 9 contaminants 39  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 29  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 3 contaminants 10  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 3 contaminants 29  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 3 contaminants 9  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 12 contaminants 17  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 3 contaminants 26  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 55 contaminants 56  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 52 contaminants 56  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 3 contaminants 56  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 1 violation 35  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 1 violation 63  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score) 3.3    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 11,233.6 people per square mile 6  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 4,900.1 housing units per square mile 5  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 32.0 minutes 70  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 33.7 minutes 70  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 12.8% 40  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 25.4% 7  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 10.0% 7  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 1.9% 62  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 117.3 65  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 81.2 MV registrations   19
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 40.4%   23
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 51.1 MV registrations   38
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.16 MV registrations   22
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 120,423 miles   43
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.611%   43
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 31.3%   14
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.01 miles   13
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 12.38 miles   14
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $5,258,000,000   46
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $43,663 per mile   39
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 66.8%   38
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 21.0 hours per person 26  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $357 per person 27  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $1,884,000,000 40  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 11 gallons per person 18  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $30,631 64  
Median Household Income (2000) $30,746 62  
Per capita income (2004) $17,867 62  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $16,509 61  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 22.0% 65  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 22.9% 61  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 24.9% 64  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 8.7% 65  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 31.3% 59  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 78,429 people 63  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 7.3% 62  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 12.4% 63  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 6.1% 63  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 6.1% 37  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 16.1% 28  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 50.8% 66  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Same as Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $5.15 per hour 28  
EDUCATION
 
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 265,616 kids (2.2% of total pop.) 7  
Largest School District Enrollment 201,190 kids (1.7% of total pop.) 7  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 66.7% 43  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 41.9% 58  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 76.5% 56  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 20.4% 64  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 17% 21  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Ahead of the Curve   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade B   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Average   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Above Average   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 579,749 units 5  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 41.8% 48  
Cost of Living: Housing 104.3 42  
Cost of Living: Utilities 130.3 61  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 111.6 66  
Cost of Living: Overall 109.6 43  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 (Not Available)   (Not Available)
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 41.70%   18
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 62.50%   39
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 30.6%   22
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 5,513.5 incidents per 100,000 people 24  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 1,408.3 incidents per 100,000 people 61  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 4,105.2 incidents per 100,000 people 15  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 5,553.4 incidents per 100,000 people 20  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score) 3.2    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 4.7 parks per square mile 4  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 75.9 park acres per city square mile 7  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres 7.0 acres 39  
Parkland as % of City Area 12.3% 11  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident $50 per resident 14  
Total City Tree Canopy % 12.3% 24  
Total City Urbanized Area % 78.7% 56  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users Some ---  
Disability Advisory Committees Some ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks Some ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.52% 55
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 9.40% 61
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.15% 45
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.28% 58
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 25.07% 56
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 5.30% 57  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 21.4% 33
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 7.0% 9
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 9.0% 10
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 7.6% 35
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 200.9 34
Cost of Living: Health 102.2 30  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 11.6% 15
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 11.1% 9
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -4.3% 11
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -0.5% 15
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 38 farms 3
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 38 markets 6
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 4 restaurants 12
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 6 grocery stores 5
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 8 other sources 8
Cost of Living: Food 106.0 44
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 96.3% 66
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 52.6% 64
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 1 program   13
Net Metering Net Metering Offered by only one or more Individual Utilities   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 50 kW   13
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 1000/2000 kW   1
Completed Climate Action Plans Completed State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives No   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries Yes   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds Funds support Energy Effeciency & Renewable Energy   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 18%   7
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards 2020   16
States with Green Pricing Programs None   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol Exercises Tax credit/exemption and/or grant supporting ethanol use   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes5 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings LEED Recommended   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) Yes ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 3.0%   35
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 55 years 15
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 56% 34
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 9.5 mph 23
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 10.3 mph 22
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.2 mph 29
Heating Degree Days 4,954 days 34
Cooling Degree Days 1,101 days 34
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 39 years 15
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 76% 15
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 55% 17
Elevation, feet 39 feet 14
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 1,406,415 5 (of 72 in EDN study) 11.7% of state population
City Population (2000) 1,517,550 5 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 11,979,147 6 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region Mid-Atlantic ---  
EPA Region 3 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 135.0 square miles 33 0.3% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 44,820 square miles 32  
Watershed Name Schuylkill ---  
Elevation, feet 39 ft. (11.9 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 32.3°F (0.2°C) 41
Average Daily Temperature - July 77.6°F (25.3°C) 40  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 35.2 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 73.8% 41  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 13.0% 11  
Under 5 years of age 104,580 kids (7.4% of total pop.) 7  
One Race-White % (2005) 42.1% 58  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 57.9% 15  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 10.4% 37  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 19.9% 32  
Largest School District Name Philadelphia ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network