Is Bettes Corners safe?
Akron, Ohio · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Bettes Corners as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Bettes Corners
“Go with care. Bettes Corners is a standard working-class and commercial junction in Northeast Akron that is generally safe for routine visits during daylight hours. Visitors should remain mindful of elevated property crime, including vehicle break-ins around retail strip lots, and exercise standard precautions after dark.”
Local law enforcement continues targeted patrols along northeast Akron commercial corridors to address recurring catalytic converter thefts and shoplifting.
About the area
Bettes Corners is a mixed-use district in northeast Akron positioned near the Cuyahoga Falls border, centered around the confluence of major thoroughfares like East Tallmadge Avenue and Brittain Road. The neighborhood features a mix of auto repair shops, neighborhood taverns, strip retail, and modest post-war single-family residential blocks. While lacking major tourist draws, it provides functional everyday retail and quick access to nearby Summit Metro Parks.
- Car-Dependent
- Working-Class
- Commercial Corridor
- Low-Rise
Walking and biking in Bettes Corners
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 41/100
The neighborhood lacks dedicated bike lanes and suffers from heavy vehicular traffic on main roads, though the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is accessible a short ride to the west.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Convenient roadway access to State Route 8 and the broader Akron-Canton expressway system.
- Proximity to premier regional outdoor recreation at Gorge Metro Park and Cascade Valley Metro Park.
- Established residential pockets featuring affordable single-family housing and long-term homeowners.
Cons
- Property crime and vehicle larceny rates sit above national averages, particularly around retail plazas.
- Auto-centric road design creates significant safety challenges for pedestrians crossing major intersections.
- Lower median household income and elevated poverty rates relative to northern Summit County suburbs.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low to moderate, with occasional individuals soliciting near high-traffic intersections or strip center entrances along Brittain Road. Large-scale encampments are not a fixture of the area.
What Bettes Corners is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Morning hours bring steady vehicular commuter traffic along Tallmadge Avenue with very low safety concern.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons are busy around strip malls and auto service centers, remaining generally safe for shoppers and diners.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity concentrates in local bars and restaurants; residential streets become quiet though lighting can be uneven.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Commercial zones empty out significantly, increasing the potential for opportunistic property crime and theft.
Transit, parking and getting around
METRO RTA serves the district with bus lines including Route 14 along East Tallmadge Avenue and Route 17 along Brittain Road, providing connections into downtown Akron. Akron does not operate a passenger rail or BRT system.
Parking is abundant and free in private surface lots fronting all local shopping plazas and restaurants. Residential side streets offer unrestricted, unmetered curb parking.
Things to do in Bettes Corners
- Shop for imported pantry goods, fresh sausages, and deli items at DeVitis Fine Italian Foods nearby.
- Hike the Mary Campbell Cave Trail and take in river views at the adjacent Gorge Metro Park.
- Sample regional comfort food and local craft beers at neighborhood taverns along the corridor.
Local favorites
- DeVitis Fine Italian Foods · Deli · 4.8★ (650)Historic family-owned Italian grocery offering custom cuts, imported specialty goods, and hot sandwiches.
- The Basement Sports Bar & Grill - Akron · Sports Bar · 4.2★ (580)Laid-back neighborhood spot featuring pub fare, jumbo wings, and walls of television screens for game days.
- Ranchero Taqueria · Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (340)Unassuming counter-serve restaurant known for flavorful street tacos, tortas, and authentic salsas.
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.
Add this score to your site
Writing about Bettes Corners? Copy this code to show its live safety score on your blog or listing.