- Furness is located at: 1900 S. 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA
- The school is located in South Philadelphia.
- Specifically, the school is located in what is known as the "Pennsport" neighborhood.
pennsport, an overview
Pennsport is a historically white, blue-collar, Irish Catholic neighborhood in the city of Philadelphia. The population of the immediate neighborhood around the school is nearly 76% white, 13% black, and 8% Asian (all of whom are Cambodian or Laotian), with all of Pennsport being over 70% white. Yet, as we will discuss later, white students only make up 9% of the student population at Furness. Historically, the immediate neighborhood around Furness has never dipped below 75% white, and was over 95% white in the year 1950. Residents that we talked to identified the culture of the neighborhood as "blue-collar," with one of them saying that people in the area "value hard work and know how to get the job done." One of the residents pointed out that "a lot of retired cops, firefighters, and factory workers live down here and are proud of the area."
Additionally, Pennsport is known as the home of the Mummers, and is home to many Mummers' bars and clubs. Our neighborhood is no exception. Many of the local residents talked about Mummer culture and how it has played a big role in their communities. One resident said that "there is a bar on every corner," with another resident commenting that "New Year's is hopping" due to the parade, and "things get really rowdy on the weekends."
Additionally, Pennsport is known as the home of the Mummers, and is home to many Mummers' bars and clubs. Our neighborhood is no exception. Many of the local residents talked about Mummer culture and how it has played a big role in their communities. One resident said that "there is a bar on every corner," with another resident commenting that "New Year's is hopping" due to the parade, and "things get really rowdy on the weekends."
Pennsport has seen a dramatic increase in average income since the 2000 census. This 26% increase in average income has not gone unnoticed by the community members that we interviewed. A grandmother of a Furness senior pointed out a new housing development project that is currently underway in the neighborhood. The grandmother said that it was a sign that "yuppies are coming to South Philly," and said that "more money means better services, so it's a good thing." Another community member and long-time resident mentioned that he has noticed an influx of "younger people" coming to settle in Pennsport.
This new development has not gone unnoticed by the broader public. Pennsport is known for its expanding selection of restaurants, its many and varied bars, and a growing energy that new residents are bringing in.
This new development has not gone unnoticed by the broader public. Pennsport is known for its expanding selection of restaurants, its many and varied bars, and a growing energy that new residents are bringing in.