Is Delaware Gardens safe?
Pennsauken, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Delaware Gardens as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Delaware Gardens
“Go with care. Delaware Gardens is a modest, working-class residential pocket in Pennsauken that is generally peaceful during the day. While it is safer than adjacent urban areas across the Camden city line, visitors should exercise basic precautions regarding vehicle security and avoid walking dimly lit corridors late at night.”
About the area
Delaware Gardens is a residential enclave situated in western Pennsauken Township along the border with East Camden. Characterized by mid-century single-family homes, modest lot sizes, and neighborhood retail along thoroughfares like Westfield Avenue, it serves primarily as a settled commuter community.
- Working-Class
- Suburban-Urban Edge
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Delaware Gardens
Walk score: 53/100 · Bike score: 47/100
There is no local bike-share service, and dedicated bicycle lanes are rare on primary arterials, though quiet interior side streets are suitable for low-speed cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Predominance of owner-occupied single-family homes supporting neighborhood stability
- Direct regional transit access via nearby NJ Transit River Line stations and bus corridors
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to adjacent inner-city Camden neighborhoods
Cons
- Susceptibility to property crime and car break-ins due to proximity to Route 130 and border corridors
- Below-county-average median household income with pockets of deferred housing maintenance
- Inconsistent street lighting and narrow sidewalks on several interior residential streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential streets of Delaware Gardens, with occasional unhoused individuals or panhandling localized around high-traffic commercial plazas along Route 130.
What Delaware Gardens is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with local residents commuting and school buses making rounds.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet suburban rhythm with light vehicular traffic and occasional neighborhood dog walkers.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Streets clear out quickly after dark, though commercial establishments along main roads remain gently active.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic; venturing out on foot is discouraged due to spotty illumination and property crime risks.
Transit, parking and getting around
NJ Transit operates several bus lines through the area (including Routes 404, 405, and 407 along Westfield and River Roads), with the 36th Street River Line light rail station located roughly one mile away.
Street parking on residential roads is abundant, free, and unmetered, while commercial plazas offer dedicated free surface parking lots.
Things to do in Delaware Gardens
- Pick up classic South Jersey hoagies and Italian specialty goods at Macaro's Deli & Catering
- Enjoy casual dining and sports viewing at the neighborhood-adjacent 45th Street Pub
- Take a short drive to the Delaware River waterfront parks for open river views toward Philadelphia
Local favorites
- Macaro's Deli & Catering · Italian Deli & Market · 4.6★ (860)Longstanding neighborhood staple renowned for hot roast pork sandwiches, cold cuts, and homemade catering specialties.
- Montegrillo Trattoria & Pizzeria · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (630)Casual family-run Italian spot serving traditional pasta dishes, strombolis, and thin-crust pizza.
- 45th Street Pub · Bar & Grill · 4.2★ (1250)Neighborhood gathering place offering classic bar comfort food, cold beers, and multiple screens for sports.
Neighborhoods near Delaware Gardens
Common questions about Delaware Gardens
Is Delaware Gardens safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Delaware Gardens a good place to live?
On safety, Delaware Gardens scores 64/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Delaware Gardens?
Walk score 53/100 and bike score 47/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Delaware Gardens are safer?
Merchantville (84), Meadowbrook (Pennsauken) (72), Jordantown (71) score higher nearby.
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