Is Carlstadt safe?
Carlstadt, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Carlstadt as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Carlstadt
“Go. Carlstadt is a safe, quiet Bergen County borough with very low violent crime rates and stable residential neighborhoods. Visitors can explore local restaurants and parks with peace of mind at virtually any time of day.”
About the area
Perched on a ridge overlooking the Hackensack Meadowlands, Carlstadt offers a blend of historic suburban residential streets and a bustling commercial-industrial basin. While the highway corridors along Route 17 are auto-centric, the residential core features a tight-knit, well-maintained community just minutes from MetLife Stadium and Manhattan.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet
- Commercial Hub
Walking and biking in Carlstadt
Walk score: 62/100 · Bike score: 42/100
Dedicated bike infrastructure is minimal, and cycling on steep residential grades or heavy truck arteries requires caution. There are no municipal bike-share stations operating within the borough.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than both New Jersey and national averages.
- Solid economic foundation with median household incomes near $100,000 and low poverty rates.
- Quiet, well-maintained residential neighborhoods with an active and responsive local police department.
Cons
- Heavy commercial traffic and truck routes near Route 17 and Paterson Plank Road can create pedestrian hazards.
- Occasional property crimes such as vehicle break-ins along commercial highway parking corridors.
- Industrial eastern sections can feel desolate and unwalkable after business hours.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Carlstadt. Transience is rare and typically limited to occasional individuals passing through major bus corridors or highway interchanges.
What Carlstadt is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with commuters heading toward buses and trains alongside locals walking dogs on Hackensack Street.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active and secure, featuring light neighborhood foot traffic and steady commercial movement along major thoroughfares.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm in residential quarters, with patrons safely visiting local taverns and highway restaurants.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dark with low foot traffic, but consistently safe for walking through residential streets.
Transit, parking and getting around
NJ Transit bus routes (including the 163, 164, and 76) provide direct connections to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan and Newark. The nearest rail connection is the Wood-Ridge NJ Transit station on the Pascack Valley Line, located about a 10 to 15 minute walk from Carlstadt's western edge.
Residential street parking is generally abundant and free, though some streets have overnight permit restrictions for non-residents. Commercial establishments along Route 17 and Paterson Plank Road feature large, free on-site parking lots.
Things to do in Carlstadt
- Dine at iconic regional roadside establishments along the Route 17 corridor.
- Stroll through the residential hillside and relax at Carlstadt Village Green Park.
- Explore local heritage exhibits at the Carlstadt Historical Society Museum.
Local favorites
- Il Villaggio · Italian Restaurant · 4.6★ (1420)Upscale fine-dining institution renowned for classic regional Italian entrees and expansive wine lists.
- Steve's Sizzling Steaks · Steak House · 4.4★ (1850)Historic, retro roadside steakhouse serving sizzling platters and signature steak sauce since the 1930s.
- Biggie's · Seafood & Sports Bar · 4.3★ (1530)Spacious sports tavern famous for raw clams, pub bites, and game-day viewing.
Neighborhoods near Carlstadt
Common questions about Carlstadt
Is Carlstadt safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Carlstadt a good place to live?
On safety, Carlstadt scores 86/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Carlstadt?
Walk score 62/100 and bike score 42/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Carlstadt are safer?
Wood-Ridge (90), North End (Secaucus) (88) score higher nearby.
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