Is Oakland safe?
Newark, Delaware · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Oakland as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Oakland
“Go. Oakland is a quiet, settled residential community on the western edge of Newark that offers a safe and calm environment for visitors. Violent crime is rare, making the area comfortable to navigate day or night, though standard suburban awareness regarding vehicle lockups is recommended.”
About the area
Oakland is an established suburban neighborhood in Newark, Delaware, situated close to the University of Delaware campus and the Maryland state line. It features single-family homes, tree-lined residential streets, and convenient access to local parks and major shopping corridors along Elkton Road.
- Suburban / Residential
- Quiet / Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Oakland
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 62/100
Biking is practical with relatively flat terrain, connecting easily to the Newark bikeway network and the Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low rates of violent crime compared to statewide and national averages
- High rate of homeownership and well-maintained residential lots
- Close proximity to University of Delaware amenities, parks, and regional transit hubs
- Quiet neighborhood atmosphere with minimal through-traffic
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property theft and vehicle break-ins typical of university border areas
- Limited commercial options directly within the residential core, requiring short trips for dining and retail
- Sidewalks are intermittent across some interior neighborhood streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically nonexistent within the residential streets of Oakland, with only occasional individuals seen near commercial strip plazas along major thoroughfares like Elkton Road.
What Oakland is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant with residents walking dogs and heading to work or school.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with light residential traffic and clear visibility throughout the neighborhood.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet suburban streets with relaxed neighborhood activity and ample residential lighting.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally very calm and secure, though poorly lit street corners suggest sticking to well-lit paths.
Transit, parking and getting around
DART First State operates local bus routes (such as Route 16 and Route 33) along nearby Elkton Road, connecting to downtown Newark and the Newark Regional Transportation Center (Amtrak / SEPTA) about 1.5 miles away.
Street parking in the residential areas is free and plentiful, though check posted signs for municipal parking restrictions near campus corridors.
Things to do in Oakland
- Take a nature walk or run along the paved trails of the nearby Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail
- Explore the shops and casual eateries at Suburban Plaza along Elkton Road
- Spend an afternoon relaxing or picnicking at nearby Phillips Park
Local favorites
- Taqueria Los Primos · Mexican Restaurant · 4.6★ (520)Authentic Mexican spot known for flavorful street tacos, burritos, and generous portions.
- Border Cafe · Tex-Mex Restaurant · 4.4★ (1650)Lively staple serving up Cajun and Tex-Mex favorites with festive decor near the corridor.
- Drip Cafe · Cafe & Brunch · 4.7★ (1280)Bright neighborhood breakfast spot serving artisanal coffee, creative pancakes, and scratch-made sandwiches.
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.