Is Hillside Heights safe?
Newark, Delaware · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Hillside Heights as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Hillside Heights
“Go. Hillside Heights is a stable, quiet suburban community in Greater Newark with low violent crime and high rates of homeownership. Visitors staying here or visiting residents can expect a secure, predictable environment where basic suburban situational awareness is more than sufficient.”
About the area
Hillside Heights is an established mid-century residential neighborhood located just east of central Newark and the University of Delaware. Made up primarily of single-family ranch and split-level homes on mature, tree-lined lots, it provides a quiet suburban backdrop close to major arterial corridors. The area is heavily car-dependent, with shopping and dining situated along nearby Possum Park Road and Capitol Trail.
- Suburban / Quiet
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Hillside Heights
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 42/100
No dedicated bike-share system exists here, but local roadways connect via Possum Park Road to the Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail leading directly into downtown Newark.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than regional and national averages
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes with well-kept properties
- Solid middle-to-upper-middle household income levels and low local poverty
- Quiet neighborhood streets with virtually no through-traffic congestion
Cons
- Isolated from direct walkable commercial amenities, requiring a car for most errands
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins
- Pedestrian infrastructure lacks continuous sidewalks along adjacent perimeter arterials
Homelessness: Homelessness is not a notable presence within the residential streets of Hillside Heights. Occasional unhoused individuals or panhandlers may be seen along the commercial corridors of Kirkwood Highway and Capitol Trail.
What Hillside Heights is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very peaceful with residents walking dogs and heading out for standard morning commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with light residential traffic and school buses navigating the streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential setting with low foot traffic and minimal street disturbance.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet; remains safe, though streets have limited sidewalk illumination.
Transit, parking and getting around
DART First State operates local bus routes (such as Route 6 and Route 33) along nearby Capitol Trail and Possum Park Road. Newark Train Station (serving SEPTA Regional Rail and Amtrak) is approximately 3 miles southwest.
Extremely easy; almost all homes feature private driveways, and residential street parking is free, unrestricted, and widely available.
Things to do in Hillside Heights
- Hike or mountain bike the forested trails at nearby Middle Run Valley Natural Area
- Pick up fresh local pastries and treats from historic Bing's Bakery just down the road
- Enjoy craft beers and comfort food at nearby neighborhood gathering spots in Possum Park Mall
Local favorites
- Two Stones Pub Newark · Gastropub · 4.6★ (1620)Popular local hub known for craft draft selections, elevated pub fare, and friendly service.
- Margherita's Pizza · Pizza Restaurant · 4.4★ (460)Neighborhood staple serving New York-style pizzas, cheesesteaks, and classic Italian subs.
- Bing's Bakery · Bakery · 4.6★ (980)Delaware's oldest bakery offering traditional cakes, pastries, cookies, and custom baked goods.
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.