Is Setauket safe?
Brookhaven, New York · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Setauket as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Setauket
“Go. Setauket is an exceptionally safe, historic North Shore hamlet defined by coastal views, Colonial-era landmarks, and peaceful residential neighborhoods. Visitors face virtually no violent crime concerns, though exploring the area requires a vehicle.”
About the area
Setauket is an affluent, historic community in Brookhaven on Long Island's North Shore, renowned as the heart of George Washington's Revolutionary War Culper Spy Ring. It offers visitors scenic harbor views, preserved historic greens, and tree-lined suburban estates neighboring Stony Brook University.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Affluent Coastal
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Setauket
Walk score: 24/100 · Bike score: 36/100
There is no municipal bike-share system, but the paved 3.5-mile Setauket-to-Port Jefferson Station Greenway provides an excellent multi-use trail for cyclists.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent and property crime rates are exceptionally low and well below national averages.
- Affluent economic foundation with median household incomes well over $140,000 and high homeownership rates.
- Rich, well-preserved historic sites and pristine public green spaces like Frank Melville Memorial Park.
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent layout with winding, unlit residential roads that lack sidewalks.
- Limited commercial and dining options, with retail mostly confined to Route 25A strip centers.
- Minimal public transit access requiring a personal vehicle for convenient travel.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Setauket, and there are no encampments or panhandling in the area.
What Setauket is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with locals walking dogs around the parks and ponds under total safety.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and pleasant across historic greens and shopping plazas with virtually no safety concerns.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet suburban streets with low lighting, remaining completely secure for dining or strolling near parks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and silent with minimal activity; safety risk is limited almost entirely to navigating unlit roads.
Transit, parking and getting around
Suffolk County Transit provides sparse bus service along Route 25A via routes like the S60, while Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train access requires driving roughly 5 to 10 minutes to the nearby Stony Brook or Port Jefferson stations.
Free, easy parking is abundant in dedicated lots at parks, historic landmarks, and retail plazas, with no parking meters or parking garages in the area.
Things to do in Setauket
- Stroll around the mill pond and walking trails at Frank Melville Memorial Park.
- Explore the historic Setauket Village Green and the 1729 Caroline Church of Brookhaven.
- Walk, run, or cycle along the 3.5-mile Setauket-to-Port Jefferson Station Greenway.
Local favorites
- Se-Port Delicatessen · Deli · 4.7★ (1850)A legendary Long Island deli famous for massive, creative specialty hero sandwiches and quick service.
- Old Fields Restaurant · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (680)A cozy, rustic neighborhood tavern serving prime steaks, craft burgers, and specialty cocktails.
- The Country House Restaurant · Fine Dining · 4.6★ (750)An upscale restaurant housed in a historic 1710 home offering refined American fare and historic charm.
Neighborhoods near Setauket
Common questions about Setauket
Is Setauket safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Setauket a good place to live?
On safety, Setauket scores 93/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Setauket?
Walk score 24/100 and bike score 36/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Setauket are safer?
Old Field (97), Belle Terre (94) score higher nearby.
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