Is Norwood (The Bronx) safe?
The Bronx, New York · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Norwood (The Bronx) as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Norwood (The Bronx)
“Go with care. Norwood is a bustling, working-class neighborhood anchored by a major medical center that is generally manageable during daytime hours. Visitors should maintain standard urban situational awareness, stick to well-lit commercial corridors, and avoid quiet side streets and isolated park edges after dark.”
About the area
Norwood is a dense north-central Bronx neighborhood known for its historic multi-family apartment buildings and the sprawling Montefiore Medical Center complex. It offers convenient access to major regional green spaces, including Woodlawn Cemetery, Van Cortlandt Park, and the Williamsbridge Oval.
- Dense Urban
- Working-Class
- Medical Hub
- Transit-Oriented
Walking and biking in Norwood (The Bronx)
Walk score: 95/100 · Bike score: 64/100
Citi Bike docking stations are distributed throughout the neighborhood, offering easy connections to the Mosholu Parkway Greenway and the Bronx River Greenway path.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- High daily foot traffic and passive surveillance generated by the Montefiore Medical Center campus and local retail corridors.
- Immediate proximity to expansive public parkland including the Williamsbridge Oval and the Mosholu Parkway paths.
- Robust public transit connections with direct subway service into Midtown Manhattan.
Cons
- Violent and property crime rates in the 52nd Precinct remain elevated compared to NYC citywide averages.
- Economic challenges with local poverty rates exceeding 20% and significant pressure on housing affordability.
- Severe street congestion, frequent double-parking, and high ambient noise levels along main thoroughfares.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present, mostly concentrated around the Norwood-205th Street subway entrance and near the emergency department entrances of Montefiore Medical Center.
What Norwood (The Bronx) is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Brisk and lively with heavy foot traffic from hospital personnel, school commuters, and subway riders.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Bustling retail energy on East 204th Street and Bainbridge Avenue with moderate safety in active commercial zones.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pedestrian presence thins out after the evening commute; main streets stay moderately busy while residential blocks quiet down.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Street safety drops considerably due to sporadic robberies, loitering, and limited open storefronts; solo walking is not advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
Operated by the MTA, Norwood is anchored by the Norwood-205th St subway terminal (D train) and the nearby Mosholu Pkwy station (4 train), with extensive local bus connections including the Bx10, Bx16, Bx28, Bx30, and Bx34.
Street parking is notoriously competitive due to dense residential buildings and hospital employee traffic; paid garage parking is available near Montefiore Medical Center at typical rates of $15 to $30 per day.
Things to do in Norwood (The Bronx)
- Walk the track, visit the recreation center, or play sports inside the Williamsbridge Oval park.
- Tour the historic mausoleums and landscaped grounds of neighboring Woodlawn Cemetery.
- Sample diverse Dominican, Jamaican, and Italian baked goods along the East 204th Street commercial corridor.
Local favorites
- Palombo Pastry Shop · Bakery · 4.3★ (320)Longstanding neighborhood Italian bakery serving traditional cannoli, cookies, specialty cakes, and espresso.
- Princess Restaurant · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.3★ (275)No-frills counter-serve staple offering hearty Jamaican favorites like jerk chicken, oxtail, and curry goat.
- Bainbridge Bakery · Bakery & Cafe · 4.4★ (210)Local corner bakery popular for fresh breads, Latin pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and quick coffee.
Neighborhoods near Norwood (The Bronx)
Common questions about Norwood (The Bronx)
Is Norwood (The Bronx) safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Norwood (The Bronx) a good place to live?
On safety, Norwood (The Bronx) scores 61/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Norwood (The Bronx)?
Walk score 95/100 and bike score 64/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Norwood (The Bronx) are safer?
Kingsbridge-Marble Hill (72), Kingsbridge Heights-Van Cortlandt Village (68), Allerton (66) score higher nearby.
Add this score to your site
Writing about Norwood (The Bronx)? Copy this code to show its live safety score on your blog or listing.