Is Arlington (Akron) safe?
Akron, Ohio · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Arlington (Akron) as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Arlington (Akron)
“Go with care. Arlington is a primarily working-class residential and commercial corridor in Akron that offers convenient highway access and longstanding local eateries, but it experiences above-average rates of property and violent crime. Visitors should stick to daytime visits for dining or retail, remain aware of their surroundings, and avoid isolated streets after dark.”
Local police and community groups have focused increased surveillance along the South Arlington commercial strip following episodic retail theft and firearms-related incidents in recent years.
About the area
Arlington is an established, mixed commercial and residential neighborhood situated on Akron's southeast side. Anchored along the busy South Arlington Street corridor, it features a blend of modest mid-century single-family homes, strip plazas, and local dining spots. It serves primarily as a functional residential and commercial district rather than a major tourist hub.
- Working-Class
- Commercial Strip
- Car-Dependent
- Post-Industrial
Walking and biking in Arlington (Akron)
Walk score: 51/100 · Bike score: 42/100
Dedicated bike infrastructure is sparse along South Arlington Street due to high vehicle speeds; the multi-use Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is located roughly three miles to the west.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Direct and convenient highway access to I-76 and I-77
- Home to established, longstanding family-owned neighborhood restaurants
- Affordable retail, grocery, and service convenience options
Cons
- Violent and property crime rates remain significantly above national medians
- Elevated poverty rates and visible housing vacancy in surrounding residential blocks
- Car-oriented corridor with uneven pedestrian infrastructure and crosswalk coverage
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present along the South Arlington commercial corridor, with individuals occasionally seen near major intersections, bus shelters, and shopping plaza entrances.
What Arlington (Akron) is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and generally safe as commuters, school traffic, and commercial delivery vehicles fill the main roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy with commercial traffic and shoppers along the main avenue; standard caution is sufficient.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Commercial activity winds down, and diminished foot traffic warrants heightened situational awareness around gas stations and parking plazas.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Not recommended for walking; sporadic street-level crime, illicit activity, and low visibility make driving preferred.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by METRO RTA, primarily via Route 2 along Arlington Street, offering direct connections to the Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center downtown. There is no passenger rail or BRT system in Akron.
Parking is abundant and free, with dedicated surface lots available at nearly all strip plazas and businesses, alongside free on-street parking on adjacent residential side streets.
Things to do in Arlington (Akron)
- Dine on classic comfort food and traditional Italian fare along South Arlington Street
- Visit nearby Mason Park Community Center for community sports and playground facilities
- Browse local thrift, bargain, and specialty hardware stores along the retail corridor
Local favorites
- Parasson's Italian Restaurant · Italian Restaurant · 4.2★ (1280)A long-running, family-friendly regional favorite known for hearty pasta dishes, pizza, and Italian bread.
- Bob's Hamburg · Burger Joint · 4.4★ (920)Historic, retro roadside counter diner serving fresh-ground smash burgers and milkshakes since 1931.
- Fiesta Pizza and Chicken · Pizza & Wings · 4.1★ (310)Local casual staple offering sheet pizzas, broasted chicken, and classic takeout comfort food.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.
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