Is Pompton Lakes safe?
Pompton Lakes, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Pompton Lakes as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Pompton Lakes
“Go. Pompton Lakes is a quiet, family-friendly suburban community with very low rates of violent crime and a relaxed small-town feel. Visitors can explore the downtown district and surrounding parks without safety concerns.”
About the area
Pompton Lakes is a historic borough in northern Passaic County characterized by tree-lined residential neighborhoods and scenic waterways. Its compact downtown along Wanaque Avenue features casual dining, local shops, and accessible community parks.
- Suburban Calm
- Family-Friendly
- Scenic Waterfronts
- Small-Town Vibe
Walking and biking in Pompton Lakes
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 46/100
There is no public bike-share system, but residential streets and paths in local parks offer pleasant, low-stress cycling opportunities.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than both New Jersey and national averages
- Strong economic profile with a median household income exceeding $100,000 and low poverty
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes and well-maintained properties
Cons
- Low-lying areas near the rivers can experience occasional localized flash flooding during extreme storms
- Isolated opportunistic car break-ins reported occasionally in residential driveways
- Limited late-night commercial activity and subdued evening vibrancy
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually nonexistent in the borough, with no permanent encampments or active panhandling in commercial zones.
What Pompton Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers, dog-walkers, and commuters heading out along Ringwood and Wanaque avenues.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with steady foot traffic around downtown eateries, retail storefronts, and local parks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and comfortable, centered around neighborhood restaurants and family activities with negligible safety concerns.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low activity and dark residential streets, remaining safe though mostly quiet and car-dependent.
Transit, parking and getting around
NJ Transit operates direct express and local bus service into Manhattan and Newark via routes 194 and 197; the nearest rail access is NJ Transit's Mountain View Station in neighboring Wayne, roughly 5 miles south.
Free or low-cost street parking and municipal surface lots are widely available throughout the downtown shopping corridor and public parks.
Things to do in Pompton Lakes
- Walk or picnic along the waterfront trails at Hershfield Park
- Stroll and browse local small businesses along Wanaque Avenue downtown
- Kayak or fish at the scenic Pompton Lake and surrounding municipal boat launches
Local favorites
- Beef Trust Kitchen & Bar · Gastropub · 4.6★ (380)A cozy, popular local gathering spot serving craft cocktails, elevated burgers, and pub classics.
- Lakeside Diner · Diner · 4.4★ (510)A classic New Jersey diner offering generous breakfast portions and hearty homestyle comfort food.
- Frank's Pizza & Restaurant · Pizza / Italian · 4.5★ (420)Longstanding neighborhood staple known for crisp traditional New York-style pies and pasta dishes.
Neighborhoods near Pompton Lakes
Common questions about Pompton Lakes
Is Pompton Lakes safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Pompton Lakes a good place to live?
On safety, Pompton Lakes scores 86/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Pompton Lakes?
Walk score 58/100 and bike score 46/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Pompton Lakes are safer?
Pines Lake (94), Oakland (NJ) (94), Franklin Lakes (94) score higher nearby.
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