Is Totowa safe?
Totowa, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Totowa as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Totowa
“Go. Totowa is a quiet, affluent Passaic County suburb with exceptionally low violent crime rates and stable residential neighborhoods. Visitors have little to worry about regarding personal safety, though standard precautions against vehicle theft or shoplifting apply around commercial shopping centers along Route 46.”
About the area
Totowa is a classic North Jersey suburban community characterized by manicured residential streets, corporate parks, and active commercial shopping plazas along Route 46 and Union Boulevard. It provides a peaceful base for exploring Passaic County while remaining convenient to major North Jersey transit arteries.
- Suburban Quiet
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Retail Hub
Walking and biking in Totowa
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are no bike-share systems or dedicated protected bike lanes in Totowa, and narrow suburban streets alongside high-speed commercial corridors make cycling purely recreational on quiet neighborhood blocks.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are well below state and national averages.
- Strong economic foundation with median household incomes well over $110,000 and low poverty rates.
- High rates of owner-occupied housing and well-maintained properties throughout residential sections.
- Proactive local police department providing rapid response times.
Cons
- Commercial retail corridors along Route 46 experience occasional retail theft and vehicle break-ins.
- Heavily car-dependent layout with fast-moving highway traffic that is dangerous for pedestrians.
- Bordering high-density urban areas like Paterson means awareness is needed when moving across municipal lines.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Totowa, with no encampments or panhandling hotspots in the borough.
What Totowa is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with locals jogging through residential streets and steady commuter traffic heading toward Route 46 and I-80.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy commercial activity around shopping centers and plazas, maintaining a very safe and bustling suburban environment.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet in residential zones with lively crowds at local dining spots and commercial plazas; very safe for evening dining.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Calm and sleepy across the borough, with minimal street activity and low safety risk aside from occasional traffic enforcement.
Transit, parking and getting around
NJ Transit bus routes including the 196, 197, and 712 provide regional connections, but rail travelers must drive 5 to 10 minutes to neighboring Little Falls or Wayne/Route 23 stations on the Montclair-Boonton Line.
Parking is abundant and largely free across the borough, with sprawling shopping plaza lots and hassle-free residential street parking subject only to standard overnight winter regulations.
Things to do in Totowa
- Shop and dine along the bustling Route 46 commercial retail corridor.
- Enjoy outdoor recreation, sports fields, and walking paths at Totowa PAL Recreation Complex.
- Visit neighboring Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park just minutes to the northeast.
Local favorites
- Roberts Scratch Kitchen · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (420)Popular local spot serving gourmet comfort food, steaks, and craft cocktails in a modern dining room.
- Spiga Italian Cuisine · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (380)Upscale Italian venue known for house-made pasta, refined entrees, and BYOB dining.
- The Bethwood · Event Venue & Banquet Hall · 4.4★ (1150)Longstanding landmark venue with manicured grounds and classic event spaces.
Neighborhoods near Totowa
Common questions about Totowa
Is Totowa safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Totowa a good place to live?
On safety, Totowa scores 84/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Totowa?
Walk score 48/100 and bike score 38/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Totowa are safer?
Great Notch (91), Singac (90), Cedar Falls Manor (90) score higher nearby.
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