Is Rutledge safe?
Bear, Delaware · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Rutledge as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Rutledge
“Go. Rutledge is a quiet, standard suburban residential development in Bear that is generally safe for visitors and residents alike. While it lacks commercial attractions within the subdivision itself, violent crime is rare, and basic suburban awareness regarding vehicle security is all that is typically needed.”
About the area
Rutledge is an established single-family residential subdivision situated off Route 71 in Bear, Delaware. The area is defined by quiet cul-de-sacs, mature trees, and single-family detached homes, surrounded by major New Castle County commuter corridors.
- Suburban Residential
- Quiet / Peaceful
- Family-Oriented
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Rutledge
Walk score: 22/100 · Bike score: 34/100
There are no bike-share programs in the immediate area; cycling is comfortable within the subdivision, but connecting to regional paths requires riding on busy roadways without dedicated bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low rate of violent crime compared to New Castle County urban cores
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes fostering neighborhood stability
- Proximity to Lums Pond State Park and regional shopping corridors along Route 40
Cons
- Car-dependent with virtually no retail or dining within the residential boundaries
- Occasional opportunistic property theft and vehicle break-ins common along nearby thoroughfares
- Limited street lighting along some interior residential loops
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within the Rutledge neighborhood, though occasional panhandling may occur around commercial strip malls along Route 40.
What Rutledge is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with school buses running, residents commuting, and dog walkers along neighborhood sidewalks.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and family-friendly, feeling very secure for casual outdoor walks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential winding down with minimal through traffic; very safe for evening strolls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely low activity with occasional vehicle movement; safe, though standard precautions against car break-ins apply.
Transit, parking and getting around
DART First State provides public bus service along nearby major routes like Route 40 and Route 71 (Routes 40 and 42), though service directly into the neighborhood is sparse; the Newark MARC/SEPTA rail station is about 15 minutes away by car.
Ample free residential parking is available in private driveways and along neighborhood curbed streets without meters or permits.
Things to do in Rutledge
- Take a walk or jog along the quiet suburban loop roads of the Rutledge community
- Explore hiking, kayaking, and camping at nearby Lums Pond State Park
- Visit Glasgow Park just minutes away for its paved walking loops, playground, and dog park
Local favorites
- Stewart's Brewing Company · Brewpub · 4.4★ (1150)Delaware's first brewpub serving craft beers and hearty American pub fare just north in Governors Square.
- El Toro Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (920)Popular local eatery serving traditional Mexican platters and margaritas along Pulaski Highway.
- Polidoro Italian Grill · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (560)Family-run spot known for classic pasta dishes, pizzas, and friendly neighborhood service.
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.