Is Centreville safe?
Greenville, Delaware · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Centreville as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Centreville
“Go. Centreville and the adjacent Greenville corridor are among the safest and most affluent residential communities in Delaware. Visitors will experience virtually no violent crime, picturesque historic architecture, and beautifully maintained estate landscapes, though a car is essential.”
About the area
Located in northern New Castle County along Route 52 (Kennett Pike), Centreville is an idyllic, historic village in Delaware's famed Chateau Country. It features boutique shopping, refined dining, antique stores, and immediate access to expansive cultural estates and botanical gardens.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Affluent Suburban
- Charming Village
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Centreville
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 22/100
There is no bike-share system and local roads lack dedicated bike lanes; cyclists must share narrow, winding country roads with vehicular traffic.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low violent and property crime rates compared to state and national averages
- High household median income and virtually zero structural housing vacancy
- Well-maintained historic village aesthetic with picturesque rolling countryside
- Close proximity to premier cultural institutions like Winterthur and Hagley
Cons
- Winding, narrow two-lane roads with minimal shoulders or sidewalks require caution when driving
- Extremely car-dependent with virtually no comprehensive public transit
- Limited late-night commercial activity or dining options
- Occasional isolated incidents of opportunistic vehicle break-ins in unlit driveways
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in Centreville and Greenville; supportive social services and shelters are concentrated several miles away in downtown Wilmington.
What Centreville is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with light commuter traffic on Route 52 and locals walking dogs along village sidewalks.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Pleasant and quiet as visitors and locals frequent village boutiques, café patios, and nearby estate grounds.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and safe, with warm tavern lighting and modest dinner traffic around local restaurants.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and dark with virtually no foot traffic, maintaining a safe and low-activity environment.
Transit, parking and getting around
DART First State operates limited bus service along Route 52 connecting to Wilmington, but service frequency is minimal and the nearest passenger rail is Wilmington Station (Amtrak/SEPTA) roughly 6 miles southeast.
Parking is easy and free in dedicated customer lots adjacent to village businesses and attractions, though street parking along Kennett Pike is restricted.
Things to do in Centreville
- Tour the historic Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library just south of the village
- Browse local art and high-end antiques at Centreville Place and surrounding boutique shops
- Explore the native flora and rolling walking trails at nearby Mt. Cuba Center
Local favorites
- Buckley's Tavern · American Restaurant & Pub · 4.5★ (1150)Historic tavern known for upscale comfort food, rooftop seating, and local gathering atmosphere.
- Centreville Café · Café & Bakery · 4.6★ (230)Charming village café serving specialty coffees, breakfast sandwiches, and freshly baked pastries.
- Wild Thyme · Florist & Gift Shop · 4.8★ (45)Upscale boutique offering custom floral arrangements, home décor, and unique gifts.
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.