
Cities / New Jersey / Newark
It depends on the neighborhood. Of the 6 Newark neighborhoods we score (average 65/100), 2 are comfortable to walk around with normal awareness and 4 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
65
Go, stay aware
Neighborhoods scored
6
2 comfortable to walk
Score mix
- Go: 0
- Go, stay aware: 2
- Caution: 4
- No-go after dark: 0
Top 6 safest neighborhoods in Newark
- 1The IronboundNewarkThe Ironbound is a historic, culturally distinct neighborhood in Newark's East Ward celebrated for its rich Iberian and Latin American heritage…70Go, stay aware
- 2East FerryNewarkEast Ferry is situated in the eastern stretch of Newark's Ironbound district, where tight-knit residential blocks and family-run storefronts…69Go, stay aware
- 3University Heights (Newark)NewarkUniversity Heights is the educational and medical core of Newark, home to Rutgers University-Newark, NJIT, Essex County College, and University…64Caution
- 4Teachers VillageNewarkTeachers Village is an architecturally striking, multi-block redevelopment centered around Halsey, William, and Maiden streets in Downtown Newark…63Caution
- 5Oak Island JunctionNewarkOak Island Junction is an expansive freight rail switching and industrial corridor situated in the southeastern corner of Newark's East Ward…62Caution
- 6Roseville (Newark)NewarkRoseville is a dense, culturally diverse working-class neighborhood in Newark's North Ward divided into Upper and Lower sections. Its tree-lined…60Caution
Best things to do in Newark
- Stroll or jog through Branch Brook Park to view the historic cherry blossom groves and Prudential Concert Meadow
- Go roller skating at the Branch Brook Park Roller Skating Center located at the eastern edge of the neighborhood
- Explore the historic Victorian and brownstone architecture along Roseville Avenue and North 6th Street
- Catch a college basketball game or concert at the state-of-the-art NJIT Wellness and Events Center.
- Explore student art exhibitions and public lectures at the Paul Robeson Campus Center at Rutgers-Newark.
- Tour the historic Eberhardt Hall on NJIT's campus, a restored 19th-century Victorian castle.
- Sample authentic Portuguese seafood, tapas, and Brazilian rodizio along Ferry Street
- Walk or relax along the riverfront boardwalk and green spaces at Newark Riverfront Park
Getting around Newark
Transit
- The neighborhood borders Newark Penn Station, offering comprehensive rail access via NJ Transit, PATH, and Amtrak within a 5 to 15 minute walk, complemented by frequent NJ Transit bus lines like the 1, 25, and 34 along Ferry and Market Streets.
- NJ Transit operates key bus routes (such as the 1, 25, and 34) directly along Ferry Street and Market Street, connecting westward to Newark Penn Station for PATH, Amtrak, and commuter rail within 15 to 20 minutes.
- The neighborhood is served by NJ Transit Newark Light Rail with direct stops at Warren Street/NJIT, Norfolk Street, and Washington Street, linking directly to Newark Penn Station and Newark Broad Street in under 10 minutes. Key bus routes including the 21, 24, 72, and 108 run frequently along Central Avenue and MLK Jr. Boulevard.
Biking & trails
- The city operates the Newark Go e-bike and scooter share program with docks in the area, and riders can access paved multi-use trails along the Passaic River inside Newark Riverfront Park.
- Newark's bike infrastructure is limited here, though Ferry Street offers direct connections to the nearby Ironbound Riverfront Park trail system.
Parking
- Curbside street parking is notoriously difficult and heavily metered along Ferry Street, but several paid parking lots and garages are available closer to Newark Penn Station and Market Street for approximately $10 to $25 per visit.
- Street parking is notoriously tight and heavily congested with resident vehicles; metered spots along Ferry Street turn over quickly, but dedicated off-street garages are sparse.
Recent news
All Newark neighborhoods by safety score
- The IronboundNewarkThe Ironbound is a historic, culturally distinct neighborhood in Newark's East Ward celebrated for its rich Iberian and Latin American heritage…70Go, stay aware
- East FerryNewarkEast Ferry is situated in the eastern stretch of Newark's Ironbound district, where tight-knit residential blocks and family-run storefronts…69Go, stay aware
- University Heights (Newark)NewarkUniversity Heights is the educational and medical core of Newark, home to Rutgers University-Newark, NJIT, Essex County College, and University…64Caution
- Teachers VillageNewarkTeachers Village is an architecturally striking, multi-block redevelopment centered around Halsey, William, and Maiden streets in Downtown Newark…63Caution
- Oak Island JunctionNewarkOak Island Junction is an expansive freight rail switching and industrial corridor situated in the southeastern corner of Newark's East Ward…62Caution
- Roseville (Newark)NewarkRoseville is a dense, culturally diverse working-class neighborhood in Newark's North Ward divided into Upper and Lower sections. Its tree-lined…60Caution
Newark safety questions
What is the safest neighborhood in Newark?
The Ironbound scores highest at 70/100, followed by East Ferry (69) and University Heights (Newark) (64).
Is Newark safe to walk at night?
In the 0 green-rated areas, generally yes with normal awareness. In the 4 orange or red areas, stick to busy, lit streets or take a ride after dark.
Which Newark areas should visitors be careful in?
Our lowest-scoring areas are Roseville (Newark) (60), Oak Island Junction (62), Teachers Village (63). Visit in daylight and stay on the main streets.
How does VibeLoco score Newark 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.