Is Penn Acres safe?
New Castle, Delaware · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Penn Acres as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Penn Acres
“Go. Penn Acres is a quiet, established mid-century residential neighborhood in New Castle County that is generally safe for visitors. Most activity is strictly residential, though standard awareness of property theft is advisable near adjacent highway corridors.”
About the area
Penn Acres is a mature suburban community developed in the mid-20th century, located just off major transit corridors near historic New Castle. The area features modest single-family ranch and split-level homes, tree-lined residential streets, and a calm suburban vibe.
- Suburban
- Quiet / Residential
- Mid-Century
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Penn Acres
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 34/100
There are no local bike-share stations; the neighborhood lacks dedicated bike lanes, but low-speed residential streets connect to the broader New Castle cycling routes leading toward the Jack A. Markell (JAM) Trail.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes supporting neighborhood stability
- Low rates of violent crime within the interior residential blocks
- Close driving proximity to the historic district of Old New Castle and regional parks
Cons
- Higher risk of vehicle and opportunistic property theft near the commercial US-13 corridor
- Lacks dedicated pedestrian sidewalks on several residential streets
- Completely car-dependent with very few commercial amenities within walking distance
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within the residential interior of Penn Acres, though occasional panhandling occurs along the commercial strips and intersections of US Route 13.
What Penn Acres is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with residents walking dogs and heading out for morning commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and low-traffic throughout the neighborhood streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential winding-down with low activity and safe conditions.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally dark and quiet; safe overall, though standard suburban precautions regarding locked vehicles are recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
DART First State provides bus service along the perimeter corridors (such as Route 13 and Route 273), though headways can be long; Wilmington Train Station (Amtrak/SEPTA) is approximately 6 miles north.
Parking is abundant and hassle-free, with private driveways and unrestricted, free on-street parking along residential streets.
Things to do in Penn Acres
- Take a short drive to explore the cobblestone streets and museums in Historic New Castle
- Visit Battery Park on the Delaware River for waterfront walking paths and views
- Spend an afternoon enjoying sports fields and playgrounds at nearby Surratte Park
Local favorites
- Nora Lee's French Quarter Bistro · Cajun/Creole Restaurant · 4.5★ (1250)Popular nearby spot in Old New Castle serving Louisiana classics and live jazz.
- Jessop's Tavern · Tavern & Pub · 4.6★ (3100)Historic tavern nearby offering colonial-era fare and an extensive Belgian beer list.
- Arner's Restaurant · Diner / Bakery · 4.2★ (1600)Longstanding local diner nearby on Route 13 known for hearty breakfasts and house-made pies.
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.