Is Garton Development safe?
Camden, Delaware · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Garton Development as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Garton Development
“Go. Garton Development is a peaceful, established residential community in Camden just south of Dover. Visitors and residents experience very low violent crime and a calm suburban setting, though basic vehicle precautions apply as with any suburban area.”
About the area
Garton Development is a quiet, mid-century to modern single-family neighborhood located in the town of Camden in Kent County. The community features mature trees, wide residential roads, and quick access to the commercial amenities along US Route 13. It offers a classic, low-density small-town Delaware atmosphere with strong family roots.
- Quiet Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Tree-Lined
Walking and biking in Garton Development
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 42/100
There are no dedicated municipal bike lanes within the subdivision or bike-share hubs, but residential streets are low-speed and navigable for casual neighborhood cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to broader Kent County urban centers
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes with well-kept properties
- Quiet residential streets with minimal through-traffic
- Convenient driving access to shopping, dining, and Dover Air Force Base
Cons
- Car-dependent with virtually no walkable retail within the subdivision interior
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle theft or property trespass typical of roadside suburbs
- Limited street lighting along some internal neighborhood sections
- Close proximity to busy traffic corridors along US-13 during peak hours
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within the residential streets of Garton Development, with social services and shelters centered further north in downtown Dover.
What Garton Development is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very calm and safe, with residents walking dogs and children waiting for school buses along neighborhood streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Peaceful and secure with light local traffic and standard suburban activity.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential winding down with minimal street activity and safe conditions for walking.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and low activity; perfectly safe for residents, though standard awareness of surroundings is sensible.
Transit, parking and getting around
DART First State operates local bus routes (such as Route 104) along the adjacent US-13 and Camden-Wyoming Avenue corridors, but there is no passenger rail service in Kent County.
Ample free driveway and street parking is available throughout the subdivision with no metered zones or parking permits required.
Things to do in Garton Development
- Walk the shaded nature trails and explore the historic Howell Mill nature area at nearby Brecknock County Park
- Pick seasonal fresh fruit and grab local cider donuts at nearby Fifer Orchards
- Stroll around the historic district and scenic mill ponds in adjacent Wyoming
Local favorites
- Tre Sorelle Dolce · Ice Cream Shop · 4.8★ (850)Beloved local ice cream and mini-golf spot offering artisan Italian ice, gelato, and family fun.
- The Camden Diner · Diner · 4.3★ (620)Classic American diner serving hearty breakfasts, club sandwiches, and home-style comfort foods.
- Hall's Family Restaurant · Family Restaurant · 4.5★ (410)Unassuming roadside eatery serving generous portions of traditional breakfast and comfort fare.
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.