Is Haledon safe?
Haledon, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Haledon as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Haledon
“Go. Haledon is a quiet, predominantly residential borough that is generally safe for daytime visits and casual dining. While bordering higher-crime urban Paterson to the south calls for typical nighttime awareness along the perimeter, the community itself maintains active policing and stable residential neighborhoods.”
About the area
Haledon is a dense, diverse suburban borough in Passaic County nestled between Paterson and more affluent suburbs like North Haledon. It is best known for its rich labor history centered around the Botto House National Historic Landmark, alongside an array of local, multi-ethnic eateries along Belmont Avenue.
- Residential
- Historic
- Diverse
- Suburban-Urban Mix
Walking and biking in Haledon
Walk score: 68/100 · Bike score: 42/100
No public bike-share exists, and dedicated bike infrastructure is minimal due to hilly topography and narrow suburban roadways.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to neighboring urban centers in Passaic County.
- Strong neighborhood cohesion with an established owner-occupied housing base and active local police presence.
- Home to the nationally significant American Labor Museum (Botto House).
Cons
- Proximity to Paterson occasionally results in spillover property crimes such as vehicle break-ins and auto theft.
- Higher poverty rate (around 13%) and lower median household income than adjacent Bergen and northern Passaic County suburbs.
- Limited municipal parking infrastructure and congested two-lane thoroughfares during peak hours.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in Haledon, with individuals and social support services mostly concentrated in neighboring Paterson.
What Haledon is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and busy with local school commuters and neighborhood foot traffic grabbing breakfast along Belmont Avenue.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active and generally safe with standard suburban commercial activity and municipal park use.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm in residential quarters, though standard awareness is prudent around commercial parking lots and border roads.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet on interior residential streets, though caution is recommended near south-border corridors adjacent to Paterson.
Transit, parking and getting around
NJ Transit bus routes including the 703, 744, and 748 serve the borough, providing connections to the nearby Paterson Rail Station (Main/Bergen County Line) about 2 miles away.
Street parking is largely free along commercial avenues with some time limits, while residential streets may require resident permits overnight.
Things to do in Haledon
- Tour the historic Botto House and gardens at the American Labor Museum.
- Explore diverse international dining options along Belmont Avenue and Haledon Avenue.
- Relax or attend local community sports events at Braen Memorial Field and Roe Street Park.
Local favorites
- American Labor Museum (Botto House) · History Museum · 4.7★ (115)A landmark Victorian home celebrating labor history, the 1913 Paterson silk strike, and immigrant heritage.
- Jimmy Geez Sports Bar & Grill · Sports Bar · 4.3★ (840)Popular local gathering spot known for craft beers, wings, and classic pub fare in a lively setting.
- The Shepherd & the Knucklehead · Pub / Craft Beer Bar · 4.4★ (460)Longstanding neighborhood taproom featuring an extensive rotating craft beer list and casual bar bites.
Neighborhoods near Haledon
Common questions about Haledon
Is Haledon safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is Haledon a good place to live?
On safety, Haledon scores 71/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is Haledon?
Walk score 68/100 and bike score 42/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Haledon are safer?
Preakness (90), North Haledon (90), Hawthorne (NJ) (89) score higher nearby.
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