Is Elmsmere safe?
Mount Vernon, New York · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Elmsmere as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Elmsmere
“Go. Elmsmere is located on the leafy, affluent northern side of Mount Vernon and feels distinctly suburban and quiet compared to the city's denser southern sections. While visitors should practice standard suburban situational awareness, violent crime is low and the streets are generally peaceful.”
About the area
Elmsmere is a quiet, residential enclave characterized by single-family homes, mature trees, and proximity to the Fleetwood shopping district and Bronxville border. It serves primarily as a tranquil bedroom community for commuters heading into Manhattan or central Westchester County.
- Quiet Residential
- Tree-Lined
- Suburban Enclave
- Commuter-Friendly
Walking and biking in Elmsmere
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 42/100
There is no dedicated municipal bike-share system in the area, but cyclists can access the Bronx River Pathway nearby for off-street recreational riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Substantially lower violent and property crime rates than southern and central Mount Vernon
- High rates of owner-occupied single-family homes with well-manicured properties
- Close proximity to the amenities and Metro-North rail access in nearby Fleetwood
Cons
- Isolated residential streets with limited foot traffic and street lighting after dark
- Occasional spillover vehicle break-ins and property crimes typical of inner-ring suburbs
- Very few commercial businesses or dining options directly within the immediate neighborhood borders
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in this purely residential neighborhood, though occasional individuals may be seen near major transit hubs like the Fleetwood station.
What Elmsmere is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with dog walkers, joggers, and commuters heading toward Metro-North stations.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm residential atmosphere with minimal traffic and good street visibility.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and comfortable, though residential side streets quickly empty out as residents return home.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally safe but very dark and quiet; standard caution is recommended when walking alone.
Transit, parking and getting around
Bee-Line Bus routes operate along nearby corridors like Gramatan Avenue, while the Fleetwood Metro-North station (Harlem Line) is within a 15-to-20-minute walk, providing a 30-minute ride to Grand Central Terminal.
Street parking is generally accessible and free along residential roads, though overnight parking restrictions may require municipal permits depending on the specific street.
Things to do in Elmsmere
- Take a quiet architectural walk along tree-lined residential streets to view mid-century and pre-war homes
- Walk over to nearby Gramatan Avenue in Fleetwood for local dining, bakeries, and coffee shops
- Visit adjacent Hunt's Woods park for woodland walking paths and birdwatching
Local favorites
- Maggie Spillane's Ale House · Irish Pub & Rooftop Bar · 4.3★ (1150)Popular local gathering spot nearby on Gramatan Avenue featuring classic pub fare and a rooftop patio.
- Fleetwood Pastry Shop · Bakery · 4.5★ (420)Longstanding neighborhood bakery serving traditional Italian cookies, custom cakes, and fresh pastries.
- The Bayou Restaurant · Cajun / Creole Restaurant · 4.4★ (890)Lively Cajun eatery nearby offering po'boys, jambalaya, and live music nights.
Neighborhoods near Elmsmere
- Fleetwood (Mount Vernon) · Mount Vernon78
- Sunny Brae · Mount Vernon76
- Pinckney Heights · Mount Vernon70
- Chester Heights (New Rochelle) · New Rochelle86
- Pine Brook (New Rochelle) · New Rochelle90
- Parkside (Mount Vernon) · Mount Vernon71
More: all Mount Vernon neighborhoods · safest neighborhoods in New York
Common questions about Elmsmere
Is Elmsmere safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is Elmsmere a good place to live?
On safety, Elmsmere scores 76/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is Elmsmere?
Walk score 58/100 and bike score 42/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Elmsmere are safer?
Pine Brook (New Rochelle) (90), Chester Heights (New Rochelle) (86), Fleetwood (Mount Vernon) (78) score higher nearby.
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