Is Hillside (NJ) safe?
Hillside, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Hillside (NJ) as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Hillside (NJ)
“Go with care. Hillside is predominantly a quiet, working-class residential township with safe interior neighborhoods, though its borders along major corridors require standard urban awareness. Visitors stopping for local dining or passing through residential areas should feel secure during the day and early evening.”
About the area
Bordering Newark, Elizabeth, and Union Township, Hillside offers a dense suburban feel characterized by single-family colonial homes, diverse cultural pockets, and bustling commercial strips along Liberty Avenue and Route 22. It functions largely as a residential commuter town for the greater New York and Newark metropolitan areas.
- Suburban-Urban Mix
- Commuter Town
- Culturally Diverse
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Hillside (NJ)
Walk score: 68/100 · Bike score: 52/100
There is no municipal bike-share system in Hillside, and dedicated on-street bike lanes are sparse; cyclists generally share roadways with vehicular traffic or use nearby county park paths.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Residential interior streets maintain solid homeownership and relatively low violent crime rates compared to adjacent urban cores
- Median household income exceeds $80,000, supporting stable neighborhood maintenance
- Convenient regional positioning with rapid highway and airport access
Cons
- Commercial corridors along Route 22 and North Broad Street experience elevated rates of property crime and vehicle thefts
- Spillover property crime along the northeastern border with Newark
- Limited walkable town-center amenities, creating dependence on busy automobile thoroughfares
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the township's residential sections. Occasional unhoused individuals or panhandling can be seen near major retail plazas along Route 22 and transit stops along the Newark border.
What Hillside (NJ) is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Morning hours are peaceful and active with school children, dog walkers, and commuters heading toward transit links.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons are generally safe with regular residential foot traffic and moderate retail activity along primary avenues.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings are calm in the residential tracts, though commercial strips and highway adjacent plazas see busier traffic and warrant basic situational awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights are quiet across neighborhood streets, but unlit areas and commercial borders near major highways should be navigated with caution.
Transit, parking and getting around
NJ Transit operates several bus lines through the township, including routes 26, 37, 65, and 107 connecting directly to Newark Penn Station and Manhattan's Port Authority Bus Terminal. The nearest passenger rail station is Union Station on the Raritan Valley Line, located approximately 1.5 to 2 miles west.
Street parking is readily available throughout residential neighborhoods, though overnight permit restrictions may apply for non-residents. Commercial strips provide small surface lots and standard metered curbside parking.
Things to do in Hillside (NJ)
- Explore the quiet green spaces, sports courts, and walking paths at Conant Park
- Sample authentic Portuguese, West African, and Caribbean cuisines along Liberty Avenue
- Visit the nearby historic grounds and floral displays at Evergreen Cemetery
Local favorites
- Valenca Restaurant · Portuguese & Spanish Restaurant · 4.3★ (1100)A popular, traditional dining room offering classic Iberian steaks, seafood paella, and sangria.
- Chickies Halal Joint · Halal Restaurant · 4.6★ (550)A bustling spot serving seasoned chicken platters, burgers, and comfort sides with late-night options.
- Sweet Avenue Bake Shop · Bakery · 4.6★ (320)A dedicated bakery known for creative vegan and allergen-friendly cupcakes, cookies, and pastries.
Neighborhoods near Hillside (NJ)
Common questions about Hillside (NJ)
Is Hillside (NJ) safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is Hillside (NJ) a good place to live?
On safety, Hillside (NJ) scores 70/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is Hillside (NJ)?
Walk score 68/100 and bike score 52/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Hillside (NJ) are safer?
Unionburg (80), Elmora (76) score higher nearby.
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