Cities / New Jersey / Elizabeth
It depends on the neighborhood. Of the 6 Elizabeth neighborhoods we score (average 61/100), 1 are comfortable to walk around with normal awareness and 5 call for more care, especially after dark. Green means comfortable on foot; red means we would not walk it casually.
What makes up this score?City average
61
Caution
Neighborhoods scored
6
1 comfortable to walk
Score mix
- Go: 0
- Go, stay aware: 1
- Caution: 5
- No-go after dark: 0
Top 6 safest neighborhoods in Elizabeth
- 1ElmoraElizabethElmora is a culturally diverse neighborhood in western Elizabeth encompassing the tranquil residential enclave of Elmora Hills and an active retail…76Go, stay aware
- 2Crane SquareElizabethCrane Square sits near the historic heart of Elizabeth, anchored by the Union County Courthouse, historic churches, and bustling commercial…64Caution
- 3Union Square (Elizabeth)ElizabethUnion Square serves as the historic anchor of Elizabeth Avenue's bustling commercial corridor, filled with authentic Latin American restaurants…60Caution
- 4Liberty Square (Elizabeth)ElizabethLiberty Square is a densely populated, working-class neighborhood situated just east of Midtown Elizabeth and north of Elizabethport. It features a…60Caution
- 5ElizabethportElizabethElizabethport, commonly known as 'The Port,' is a historic, working-class neighborhood in eastern Elizabeth bordering the Arthur Kill and major…58Caution
- 6Pioneer HomesElizabethPioneer Homes is a public housing community managed by the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth, situated near the bustling Elizabeth Avenue…50Caution
Best things to do in Elizabeth
- Tour the historic grounds and cemetery of the First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, dating back to the American Revolution
- Admire the neoclassical architecture of the Union County Courthouse and neighboring historic monuments
- Walk along the nearby Elizabeth River Trail pathways connecting toward local urban green spaces
- Explore the multicultural shops, bakeries, and markets along historic Elizabeth Avenue
- Visit nearby Mattano Park for sports fields, walking paths, and Elizabeth River views
- Attend community events and recreational programs at the adjacent local community centers
- Walk or jog along the waterfront promenade at Veteran's Memorial Waterfront Park and Elizabeth Marina.
- Sample authentic Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Portuguese cuisine at neighborhood eateries along 1st and 2nd Streets.
Getting around Elizabeth
Transit
- NJ Transit operates regular local bus routes (including lines 48, 52, 58, and 59) along Elmora and Westfield Avenues, with the Elizabeth commuter rail station located about 1 to 1.5 miles east.
- NJ Transit operates the nearby Elizabeth Train Station (Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line) approximately a 5-to-10-minute walk away, complemented by frequent local bus routes including the 24, 48, 59, and 112.
- Served by NJ Transit; the Elizabeth Midtown rail station (Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line) is roughly a 10-to-15 minute walk northwest, complemented by frequent NJ Transit bus routes like the 112, 24, and 48 traversing Elizabeth Avenue.
Biking & trails
- There is no local bike-share network, and dedicated bike lanes are scarce, but low-traffic residential streets provide functional access to nearby paved paths in Warinanco Park.
- There is no major municipal docked bike-share system, though the Elizabeth River Trail provides nearby paved off-street riding options for recreational cyclists.
Parking
- Street parking is generally easy on residential side streets, though commercial zones along Elmora Avenue and Westfield Avenue have metered and time-limited spots that fill quickly.
- On-street parking is mostly metered and highly competitive during business hours; public parking garages such as the Midtown Garage near the courthouse offer paid daily parking.
Recent news
All Elizabeth neighborhoods by safety score
Showing 6 of 6
- ElmoraElizabethElmora is a culturally diverse neighborhood in western Elizabeth encompassing the tranquil residential enclave of Elmora Hills and an active retail…76Go, stay aware
- Crane SquareElizabethCrane Square sits near the historic heart of Elizabeth, anchored by the Union County Courthouse, historic churches, and bustling commercial…64Caution
- Liberty Square (Elizabeth)ElizabethLiberty Square is a densely populated, working-class neighborhood situated just east of Midtown Elizabeth and north of Elizabethport. It features a…60Caution
- Union Square (Elizabeth)ElizabethUnion Square serves as the historic anchor of Elizabeth Avenue's bustling commercial corridor, filled with authentic Latin American restaurants…60Caution
- ElizabethportElizabethElizabethport, commonly known as 'The Port,' is a historic, working-class neighborhood in eastern Elizabeth bordering the Arthur Kill and major…58Caution
- Pioneer HomesElizabethPioneer Homes is a public housing community managed by the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth, situated near the bustling Elizabeth Avenue…50Caution
Elizabeth safety questions
What is the safest neighborhood in Elizabeth?
Elmora scores highest at 76/100, followed by Crane Square (64) and Union Square (Elizabeth) (60).
Is Elizabeth safe to walk at night?
In the 0 green-rated areas, generally yes with normal awareness. In the 5 orange or red areas, stick to busy, lit streets or take a ride after dark.
Which Elizabeth areas should visitors be careful in?
Our lowest-scoring areas are Pioneer Homes (50), Elizabethport (58), Liberty Square (Elizabeth) (60). Visit in daylight and stay on the main streets.
How does VibeLoco score Elizabeth neighborhoods?
Each score blends recent reported crime and local news with Census data on income, poverty and housing, refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately.