Is Harrington safe?
Harrington, Delaware · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Harrington as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Harrington
“Go. Harrington is a quiet, small rural-suburban hub that is generally safe for travelers, though standard awareness is advised along commercial corridors and around late-night entertainment venues. Most visits revolve around the state fairgrounds, raceway, or through-travel along Route 13 without safety concerns.”
About the area
Located in central Kent County, Harrington is best known as the home of the Delaware State Fairgrounds and Harrington Raceway & Casino. Outside of major event weeks, the town is a sleepy, working-class community centered around US-13 and historic rail lines.
- Small Town
- Car-Dependent
- Fairgrounds Hub
- Rural Edge
Walking and biking in Harrington
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 45/100
There is no bike-share program and limited dedicated cycling infrastructure, though residential side streets have low traffic volumes suitable for cautious riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime is low and largely non-random throughout residential neighborhoods
- Close community feel with active local police presence during major fair and casino events
- Abundant vehicle access with direct arterial connectivity via US Route 13
Cons
- Property crime and retail theft rates are elevated along the US-13 commercial corridor
- Household poverty rate exceeds the state average with pockets of aging rental stock
- High-speed highway traffic on DuPont Highway creates significant pedestrian safety hazards
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in Harrington, with no established encampments; occasional unhoused individuals may be noticed near motels or bus stops along the US-13 corridor.
What Harrington is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet, with light local traffic and commuters heading along Route 13.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active around shopping centers and dining plazas with standard daytime safety.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm in residential areas while the casino and event grounds maintain steady, well-lit activity.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally safe, though commercial parking lots along the highway become desolate and require standard caution.
Transit, parking and getting around
DART First State provides rural/intercity bus service (notably Route 117 and Route 303 connecting toward Dover and Milford). There is no passenger rail or BRT service in Harrington.
Parking is abundant and entirely free throughout town, with large surface lots at businesses and the casino complex, alongside easy street parking in residential areas.
Things to do in Harrington
- Catch live harness racing or gaming at Harrington Raceway & Casino
- Attend seasonal events, concerts, or the annual Delaware State Fair at the Fairgrounds
- Explore local railroad and agricultural heritage at the Harrington Historical Society Museum
Local favorites
- Rudy's Family Restaurant · Diner · 4.4★ (1150)A classic, long-running local staple serving generous portions of traditional American comfort food and breakfast.
- Sal's Italian Restaurant · Italian Restaurant · 4.3★ (480)A reliable neighborhood spot serving classic pizzas, baked pastas, and subs in a casual setting.
- Bonz Restaurant & Lounge · Steakhouse · 4.1★ (320)An upscale-casual steakhouse located inside the Harrington Raceway & Casino offering prime steaks and seafood.
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.