Is Swarthmore safe?
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Swarthmore as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Swarthmore
“Go. Swarthmore is an exceptionally safe, picturesque college town with virtually negligible violent crime and charming tree-lined streets. Visitors can explore the campus arboretum and local village center with complete peace of mind at almost any hour.”
About the area
Located in Delaware County just southwest of Philadelphia, Swarthmore centers on its prestigious namesake liberal arts college and Scott Arboretum. The borough offers a quiet, highly educated suburban environment filled with historic homes, manicured gardens, and a small downtown commercial strip.
- Collegiate / Academic
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Quiet & Residential
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Swarthmore
Walk score: 68/100 · Bike score: 62/100
While there is no dedicated municipal bike-share system, the borough features bike-friendly residential streets and access to scenic gravel and paved multi-use paths throughout the Crum Woods.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are near zero, with overall crime tracking far below state and national averages
- Median household income exceeds $130,000 with very low poverty and high homeownership
- Exceptional educational attainment, with over 80% of adult residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher
- Direct regional rail connection straight into Center City Philadelphia
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic bicycle theft and unlocked vehicle break-ins near the train station or campus perimeter
- Very quiet commercial district with virtually no nightlife or late-night dining options
- Navigating narrow residential streets during college move-in or graduation events can be congested
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually non-existent in Swarthmore. There are no encampments or regular panhandling, and services are concentrated in larger neighboring urban hubs like Chester and Upper Darby.
What Swarthmore is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with students, professors, and residents walking dogs or heading to the SEPTA station.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and vibrant with students on campus pathways and visitors strolling the Scott Arboretum gardens.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and very safe, with low traffic and families dining around Chester Road and Dartmouth Avenue.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Calm and deserted aside from campus safety patrols, remaining exceptionally safe for walking.
Transit, parking and getting around
SEPTA Regional Rail's Media/Wawa Line stops directly at Swarthmore Station in the heart of the village, providing a 30-minute ride to Center City Philadelphia. Local bus routes including SEPTA Route 109 also serve Chester Road.
Metered street parking and municipal permit lots are available around the town center and rail station, generally costing $1 to $1.50 per hour. Free residential street parking is common but often time-limited during weekday business hours.
Things to do in Swarthmore
- Stroll through the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College, featuring over 300 acres of landscaped campus gardens
- Hike the wooded, scenic trails along Crum Creek and through the Crum Woods
- Browse local books, gifts, and indie merchandise at the Swarthmore Campus and Community Store
Local favorites
- Broad Table Tavern · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (320)Farm-to-table dining and craft cocktails located inside the picturesque Inn at Swarthmore.
- Hobbs Coffee · Coffee Shop · 4.6★ (310)Cozy community hub serving artisanal espresso, loose-leaf teas, and breakfast pastries.
- Aria Mediterranean Cuisine · Mediterranean Restaurant · 4.7★ (165)Intimate eatery offering fresh Mediterranean kebabs, gyros, and vegetarian platters.
Neighborhoods near Swarthmore
Common questions about Swarthmore
Is Swarthmore safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Swarthmore a good place to live?
On safety, Swarthmore scores 94/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Swarthmore?
Walk score 68/100 and bike score 62/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Swarthmore are safer?
Swarthmore scores as high as or higher than its closest neighbors.
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