Is Elizabethport safe?
Elizabeth, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Elizabethport as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Elizabethport
“Go with care. Elizabethport has made strides in revitalizing its housing and waterfront spaces, but it remains a dense, economically disadvantaged neighborhood with elevated violent and property crime rates compared to state averages. Visitors coming to enjoy the waterfront park or local dining should stay alert and stick to well-trafficked corridors.”
About the area
Elizabethport, commonly known as 'The Port,' is a historic, working-class neighborhood in eastern Elizabeth bordering the Arthur Kill and major marine shipping terminals. The area features a mix of older multi-family housing, newer mixed-income townhomes, industrial fringes, and scenic waterfront parkland with views of Staten Island.
- Working-Class Urban
- Port-Adjacent
- Waterfront Park Access
- Industrial Mix
Walking and biking in Elizabethport
Walk score: 76/100 · Bike score: 52/100
There is no municipal bike-share system in Elizabethport, and dedicated cycling infrastructure is limited primarily to internal pathways within Veteran's Memorial Waterfront Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significant housing modernizations have replaced deteriorated public housing complexes with modern townhomes.
- Veteran's Memorial Waterfront Park and Elizabeth Marina provide scenic recreational green space along the Arthur Kill.
- Convenient access to regional logistics employment centers and Newark Liberty International Airport.
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates remain notably higher than New Jersey state medians.
- Poverty rate exceeds 25% with below-average median household income and high renter density.
- Heavy industrial presence generates frequent commercial truck traffic and localized air quality concerns.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low to moderate, with occasional individuals near transit stops and major commercial intersections along Elizabeth Avenue, but there are no large permanent encampments in the residential core.
What Elizabethport is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and routine as residents commute and industrial traffic ramps up; generally fine for walking.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy residential streets with children and shoppers out, though awareness of vehicular traffic is needed.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential areas contrast with lively corner restaurants, but pedestrian safety diminishes after dark.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Higher risk of street crime, loitering, and illicit activity; casual walking is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
NJ Transit operates several bus routes through the neighborhood (including the 24, 62, and 112). The Elizabeth NJ Transit rail station (Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line) is located about 1.5 to 2 miles west in Midtown Elizabeth.
On-street parking is highly congested on narrow residential side streets, often requiring permits or careful monitoring of alternate-side sweeping rules; dedicated public parking decks are largely absent in the immediate port area.
Things to do in Elizabethport
- Walk or jog along the waterfront promenade at Veteran's Memorial Waterfront Park and Elizabeth Marina.
- Sample authentic Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Portuguese cuisine at neighborhood eateries along 1st and 2nd Streets.
- Take in views of the working Arthur Kill shipping channel and Staten Island shoreline.
Local favorites
- Don Felix Bar & Restaurant · Latin American Restaurant · 4.1★ (1450)Lively Latin fusion venue serving steaks, seafood, and cocktails in a vibrant dining space.
- El Chevere Restaurant · Puerto Rican Restaurant · 4.3★ (270)Unassuming neighborhood staple serving classic Puerto Rican comfort food like pernil and mofongo.
- Tommy's Pizzeria · Pizza Restaurant · 4.2★ (310)Longstanding local counter-serve joint dishing out traditional New Jersey-style thin-crust pizza.
Neighborhoods near Elizabethport
Common questions about Elizabethport
Is Elizabethport safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Elizabethport a good place to live?
On safety, Elizabethport scores 58/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Elizabethport?
Walk score 76/100 and bike score 52/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Elizabethport are safer?
Bergen Point (78), Mariner's Harbor-Arlington-Graniteville (70), Port Richmond (64) score higher nearby.
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