Is Auburn Meadows safe?
Clayton, Delaware · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Auburn Meadows as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Auburn Meadows
“Go. Auburn Meadows is a tranquil, planned residential subdivision in Clayton with exceptionally low violent crime and stable homeownership. While it offers virtually no commercial attractions within its immediate boundaries, it is a very safe and quiet environment for visitors and residents alike.”
About the area
Auburn Meadows is a contemporary residential development of single-family homes located in the small town of Clayton, Delaware. The neighborhood features quiet cul-de-sacs, well-kept yards, and easy access to the neighboring amenities of Smyrna. It is an overwhelmingly peaceful, family-oriented bedroom community.
- Quiet Residential
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Suburban
Walking and biking in Auburn Meadows
Walk score: 14/100 · Bike score: 32/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes or municipal bike-share stations in the subdivision, though local streets are wide enough for casual neighborhood cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low rates of violent crime and minimal property crime compared to national averages
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes fostering neighborhood stability
- Quiet, low-traffic residential streets safe for daytime walking and family activities
- Close proximity to outdoor parks and regional commerce in adjacent Smyrna
Cons
- Strictly car-dependent with zero commercial businesses inside the subdivision
- Limited street lighting along some surrounding rural connector roads at night
- Minimal public transit connectivity requiring private vehicle access for daily needs
- Occasional opportunistic property theft such as unlocked vehicle break-ins typical of exurban subdivisions
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Auburn Meadows or the immediate surrounding residential areas of Clayton.
What Auburn Meadows is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm with light commuter traffic and occasional residents walking dogs or jogging.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and quiet with children returning from school and neighbors tending to yards.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential atmosphere where street activity winds down rapidly after sunset.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and silent with minimal traffic, presenting minimal safety concerns aside from low lighting.
Transit, parking and getting around
DART First State provides fixed-route bus service in the greater Clayton-Smyrna area via Route 120 and Route 301 commuter links, but service does not directly enter Auburn Meadows and requires a drive or long walk to access.
Driveway and street parking are abundant and free throughout the subdivision with no metered zones or parking permits required.
Things to do in Auburn Meadows
- Enjoy an evening walk or jog along the quiet suburban streets and cul-de-sacs of the subdivision
- Visit nearby Clayton Railroad Museum to explore local rail heritage and historic exhibits
- Spend an afternoon outdoors at Mill Creek Park or the Smyrna-Clayton Little League complex nearby
Local favorites
- Tre Sorelle Dolce Ice Cream & Mini Golf · Ice Cream Shop · 4.8★ (1150)Beloved local dessert stop offering Italian ice, ice cream, and an attached miniature golf course.
- Painted Stave Distilling · Distillery · 4.8★ (320)Craft distillery and tasting room housed in an iconic restored vintage theater in nearby downtown Smyrna.
- Brick Works Brewing and Eats · Brewpub · 4.5★ (890)Popular regional brewpub serving scratch-made pub food, craft beer, and seasonal specials.
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.