Is Eastside safe?
Wilmington, Delaware · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates Eastside as “No-go after dark”.
Gogo's take on Eastside
“Go with care. While Eastside possesses significant African American cultural history and is directly adjacent to downtown Wilmington, visitors should exercise heightened vigilance due to persistent crime challenges. Daytime visits to historic landmarks or community hubs are generally manageable, but non-essential exploration after dark is not advised.”
Wilmington has targeted Eastside with ongoing community violence intervention initiatives and focused housing rehabilitation programs to address elevated gun violence and vacancy.
About the area
Eastside is a historic residential neighborhood situated directly east of Wilmington's central business district, characterized by 19th-century brick rowhomes and longstanding community institutions. Despite ongoing city-led revitalization and grassroots reinvestment efforts, the neighborhood continues to face elevated socioeconomic distress and security concerns.
- Historic
- Urban Residential
- Community-Focused
- High Caution
Walking and biking in Eastside
Walk score: 82/100 · Bike score: 68/100
Wilmington does not currently operate a large municipal bike-share system, but the Eastside connects easily to the Jack A. Markell Trail and Brandywine Creek Greenway paths nearby.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Immediate walking proximity to Downtown Wilmington and the Joseph R. Biden Jr. Train Station
- Rich local history anchored by sites like Howard High School of Technology and historic churches
- Active grassroots reinvestment and non-profit community development initiatives
- Close access to major regional transit lines operated by DART First State
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates remain significantly above national and state averages
- Poverty rates exceed 30% with depressed median household incomes
- Noticeable residential vacancies and deteriorated housing stock on several interior blocks
- Sparse commercial retail and dining options directly within the neighborhood core
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present along transit corridors and bordering downtown streets, with individuals occasionally congregating near Walnut Street and service centers located on the periphery of the neighborhood.
What Eastside is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Relatively calm as residents commute and children head to school; stay alert on quieter side streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Moderate foot traffic along main avenues like 4th Street, though heightened awareness of surroundings is recommended.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity tapers off quickly, and street-level safety concerns increase substantially as visibility drops.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Walking around the neighborhood is not recommended due to significantly elevated risks of violent crime and illicit street activity.
Transit, parking and getting around
DART First State operates numerous local bus routes (including Routes 2, 4, 13, and 15) cutting through or skirting Eastside. The Wilmington Joseph R. Biden Jr. Train Station (Amtrak and SEPTA Regional Rail) is located less than a half-mile south.
Free and permit-regulated on-street parking is generally available along residential streets, but visitors should avoid leaving valuables in view. Secure paid public parking garages are readily available in neighboring Downtown.
Things to do in Eastside
- View the historic exterior of Howard High School of Technology, pivotal in the Brown v. Board of Education desegregation case
- Visit Spencer Plaza and learn about Peter Spencer, founder of the A.U.M.P. Church and the Big August Quarterly
- Take a short walk south across the neighborhood border to explore Old Swedes Historic Site and cemetery
Local favorites
- Milk & Honey Coffee Bar · Coffee Shop & Art Gallery · 4.7★ (185)A cozy neighborhood cafe serving specialty espresso drinks, baked goods, and featuring work by local artists.
- Drop Squad Kitchen · Vegan Restaurant · 4.6★ (420)A popular plant-based eatery located nearby along the riverfront serving soul food-inspired vegan dishes.
- DE.CO Food Hall · Food Court · 4.5★ (510)An energetic downtown food hall a few blocks west offering diverse artisan dining stalls and a central bar.
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.