Is Highland West safe?
Pike Creek, Delaware · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Highland West as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Highland West
“Go. Highland West in the greater Pike Creek valley is an exceptionally quiet, safe, and family-oriented suburban community. Violent crime is exceedingly rare, and the main concern for visitors or residents is standard occasional property crime like unlocked car rummaging.”
About the area
Highland West is an established suburban neighborhood nestled in the scenic rolling hills of the Pike Creek area of New Castle County. Dominated by mature trees, tidy residential streets, and convenient shopping centers along Limestone Road and Kirkwood Highway, it provides a peaceful residential base close to regional parks and nature reserves.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet
- Car-Dependent
- Tree-Lined
Walking and biking in Highland West
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 34/100
There is no municipal bike-share program; while neighborhood streets are low-speed, arterial connectors lack dedicated bike lanes, though off-road recreation is easily accessible at Carousel Park and Delcastle.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly below-average violent and property crime rates compared to national benchmarks
- High median household income and high rates of homeownership foster well-maintained properties
- Proximity to regional outdoor spaces like Carousel Park and White Clay Creek State Park
Cons
- Suburban design with limited continuous sidewalks makes getting around without a car difficult
- Occasional opportunistic theft from vehicles parked in driveways overnight
- Limited public transit and lack of active nightlife or dining directly within the residential tract
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within Highland West. Occasional individuals experiencing homelessness may be seen near high-traffic retail junctions along Kirkwood Highway, but no encampments exist in the neighborhood.
What Highland West is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, joggers, and school-bound traffic navigating quiet residential avenues.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with light local traffic and service vehicles in the neighborhood.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential winding down with families at home and minimal through-traffic.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and silent with low illumination; safe but best navigated with a flashlight due to limited streetlights.
Transit, parking and getting around
DART First State operates local bus routes (such as Route 18) along nearby primary corridors like Kirkwood Highway and Limestone Road, but access directly into Highland West residential loops is limited.
Parking is abundant and free throughout the area, consisting primarily of private driveways, residential curbside parking without meters, and generous shopping center surface lots.
Things to do in Highland West
- Explore the walking trails, equestrian facilities, and fishing ponds at nearby Carousel Park & Equestrian Center
- Hike, fish, or birdwatch along the extensive trail systems in nearby White Clay Creek State Park
- Play a round of golf or practice at the nearby Delcastle Golf Club
Local favorites
- Two Stones Pub Pike Creek · Gastropub · 4.6★ (980)Popular regional pub offering craft drafts, artisanal burgers, and upscale pub fare.
- Taqueria Los Taquitos · Mexican Restaurant · 4.7★ (320)Authentic casual spot renowned for generous street tacos, tortas, and flavorful salsas.
- Pike Creek Valley Running · Sporting Goods · 4.8★ (85)Specialty running and fitness retailer serving the local athletic community with gear and footwear.
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.