Is Lake Grove safe?
Brookhaven, New York · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Lake Grove as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Lake Grove
“Go. Lake Grove is a safe, stable Long Island suburban village centered around quiet residential neighborhoods and a prominent retail corridor. Violent crime is rare, and visitors generally only need to practice basic situational awareness in busy retail parking lots.”
About the area
Lake Grove is an incorporated village in central Suffolk County, Long Island, recognized primarily as the home of Smith Haven Mall and extensive retail shopping. It features peaceful residential streets with single-family homes, low crime, and easy access to major Long Island thoroughfares.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Shopping Hub
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Lake Grove
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There is no municipal bike-share system, and dedicated bike lanes are scarce along high-speed corridors like Route 347 and Route 25.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are exceptionally low compared to state and national benchmarks.
- High median household income above $125,000 paired with a poverty rate under 4%.
- High homeownership rate with well-maintained single-family properties and clean public spaces.
Cons
- Elevated rate of property crimes and shoplifting localized around commercial centers and mall parking lots.
- Heavily car-dependent layout with fast-moving traffic on Route 347 and Route 25 creating pedestrian hazards.
- Limited late-night dining or social scene outside chain establishments.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in Lake Grove, with occasional panhandling near major commercial intersections along Middle Country Road, but no encampments are present.
What Lake Grove is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very calm and safe as residential neighborhoods wake up and commuter traffic picks up on main routes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Brisk commercial activity around shopping plazas and schools with safe conditions throughout.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Popular dining spots and mall corridors stay active and secure while neighborhood streets become quiet.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Subdued and generally safe, with virtually no foot traffic once commercial centers close.
Transit, parking and getting around
Suffolk County Transit (SCT) operates bus routes such as the 3D, S60, and S62 connecting at the Smith Haven Mall transit hub, but the nearest Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) stations at Ronkonkoma and Stony Brook require a 10-to-15-minute drive.
Parking is completely free and abundant in expansive surface lots throughout the mall and retail plazas, while residential streets offer hassle-free parking.
Things to do in Lake Grove
- Shop, dine, and catch entertainment inside Smith Haven Mall.
- Spend an afternoon outdoors at the Lake Grove Memorial Park and Village Meeting Hall grounds.
- Explore diverse dining options along the Middle Country Road (Route 25) commercial strip.
Local favorites
- Village Idiot Pub - Lake Grove · Pub / American · 4.4★ (1150)A casual local tavern serving pub fare, craft beers, and hosting community events.
- The Cheesecake Factory · American Restaurant · 4.2★ (3100)High-volume classic dining spot located at Smith Haven Mall featuring an extensive menu.
- Takumi Restaurant · Japanese Restaurant · 4.6★ (820)Upscale Japanese eatery known for fresh sushi, sashimi, and hibachi dishes.
Neighborhoods near Lake Grove
Common questions about Lake Grove
Is Lake Grove safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Lake Grove a good place to live?
On safety, Lake Grove scores 87/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Lake Grove?
Walk score 42/100 and bike score 38/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Lake Grove are safer?
Head of the Harbor (95), Nesconset (94), Saint James (Smithtown) (93) score higher nearby.
Add this score to your site
Writing about Lake Grove? Copy this code to show its live safety score on your blog or listing.