Is Oakmont safe?
Wilmington, Delaware · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Oakmont as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Oakmont
“Go with care. Oakmont is a quiet, predominantly residential working-class enclave south of Wilmington that sees relatively low rates of serious violent crime compared to the urban core. Visitors have little reason to tour the interior residential streets, but general day-to-day daytime visits are manageable with standard situational awareness.”
About the area
Oakmont is an established mid-century residential community situated just south of the City of Wilmington in New Castle County. Bordered by major commercial arteries like Route 13 and Route 9, it features modest single-family homes, small local service shops, and straightforward suburban road layouts.
- Suburban / Residential
- Working-Class
- Quiet
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Oakmont
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 45/100
The neighborhood lacks dedicated bike lanes, but cyclists can connect to the Jack A. Markell Trail (JAM Trail) a short distance to the west for dedicated off-road riding to New Castle and Wilmington.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates than neighboring downtown Wilmington districts
- High rate of long-term owner-occupied residential properties
- Convenient proximity to I-95, I-295, and Route 13 transportation corridors
- Stable residential pocket insulated from high-density commercial traffic
Cons
- Elevated opportunistic property crime and vehicle break-in rates along bordering commercial strips
- Limited pedestrian infrastructure with missing sidewalks on select residential blocks
- Pockets of aging housing stock and deferred maintenance in adjacent unincorporated sectors
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential core of Oakmont, though occasional panhandling and unhoused individuals can be seen along nearby transit stops and shopping plazas on Route 13.
What Oakmont is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm as residents commute, making it safe for morning strolls or dog walking.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Remains quiet with low vehicular traffic, posing minimal safety concerns on residential streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down quickly; residential streets remain relatively safe, though lighting can be uneven.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally quiet, but pedestrian movement is sparse and walking alone near major highway edges is discouraged.
Transit, parking and getting around
DART First State provides bus service to the area via Route 13 and Route 15, connecting travelers directly to the Wilmington Transit Center and Amtrak/SEPTA rail station approximately 2 miles north.
Street parking is free and plentiful along residential roadways, with no metered zones or garage infrastructure needed.
Things to do in Oakmont
- Explore regional wildlife and walking paths at the nearby Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge
- Stroll along the revitalized Wilmington Riverfront just north across the Christina River
- Visit local ethnic eateries and specialty grocers along the Route 13 commercial corridor
Local favorites
- Helen's Sausage House · Breakfast & Brunch · 4.6★ (1150)Famed regional staple serving legendary, hefty pork sausage sandwiches and breakfast fare.
- Angelo's Luncheonette · Diner · 4.7★ (680)Classic neighborhood diner nearby offering hearty homestyle breakfasts, pancakes, and coffee.
- Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront · Seafood Restaurant · 4.5★ (3200)Sprawling, popular waterfront destination for fresh catches, oysters, and casual dining nearby.
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.