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Is University Heights (North)-Fordham safe?

The Bronx, New York · safety score updated nightly

54out of 100

Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.

VibeLoco rates University Heights (North)-Fordham as “Caution”.

What makes up this score?

Recent news

Gogo's take on University Heights (North)-Fordham

“Go with care. While daytime visits to cultural landmarks like Bronx Community College are generally manageable, visitors should stay vigilant against petty theft, robbery, and street harassment. Avoid walking alone late at night, especially around major transit hubs and secluded side streets.”

About the area

University Heights (North)-Fordham is a dense, high-energy residential and commercial enclave in the West Bronx known for its historic campus architecture and bustling shopping corridors. The area has rich cultural character and heavy pedestrian activity, alongside persistent economic hardship and elevated property and violent crime rates.

  • Dense Urban
  • Bustling Retail Hub
  • Historic Architecture
  • Transit-Heavy

Walking and biking in University Heights (North)-Fordham

Walk score: 96/100 · Bike score: 62/100

Citi Bike docks are distributed across major intersections, though dedicated protected bike lanes are sparse, and connection to the Bronx River Greenway requires navigating heavy arterial traffic.

Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice

Pros

  • Home to the landmarked Hall of Fame for Great Americans on the Bronx Community College campus
  • Continuous daytime pedestrian traffic along main avenues creates natural vigilance
  • Excellent connectivity via frequent MTA subway lines, regional buses, and Metro-North

Cons

  • Violent crime and robbery rates in the surrounding 46th and 52nd precincts remain well above the national median
  • Poverty rates exceed 30%, with significant local economic and infrastructural stress
  • Elevated risk of package theft, street muggings, and late-night property offenses

Homelessness: Visible homelessness is noticeable, especially near the Fordham Road commercial strips, under subway overpasses along Jerome Avenue, and around major transit entrances where panhandling is common.

What University Heights (North)-Fordham is like at each time of day

Morning · 5a – 11a
Streets are crowded with students and commuters heading to transit; overall safety is decent if you stay mindful of personal belongings.
Afternoon · 11a – 5p
High pedestrian density along Fordham Road and University Avenue creates an active, noisy environment with low violent crime risk but higher pickpocketing exposure.
Evening · 5p – 10p
Commercial traffic slows down and side streets become dimly lit, requiring heightened situational awareness.
Late night · 10p – 5a
Activity shifts to isolated groups near 24-hour bodegas; solo walking is not recommended due to heightened robbery and assault risks.

Transit, parking and getting around

MTA provides dense service with the 4 train at Burnside Ave and 183rd St, the B/D trains at Fordham Rd, plus the high-frequency Bx12 Select Bus Service along Fordham Road.

Street parking is notoriously difficult and heavily contested; paid garage spots are limited and typically charge $20 to $35 per day.

Things to do in University Heights (North)-Fordham

  • Tour the historic Stanford White-designed architecture and the Hall of Fame for Great Americans at Bronx Community College
  • Browse the lively retail stores and street vendors along the historic Fordham Road shopping district
  • Visit St. James Park for community recreation, tennis courts, and neighborhood sports games

Local favorites

  • Liberato Restaurant · Dominican Restaurant · 4.1★ (1150)
    Longtime local spot serving hearty Dominican staples, mofongo, and fresh roasted meats.
  • Tepache Mexican Grill · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (320)
    Popular casual eatery known for generous portions of authentic tacos, burritos, and cemitas.
  • Aqueduct Bakery · Bakery · 4.4★ (180)
    Neighborhood bakery offering fresh Latin American pastries, espresso, and customized cakes.

Neighborhoods near University Heights (North)-Fordham

More: all The Bronx neighborhoods · safest neighborhoods in New York

Common questions about University Heights (North)-Fordham

Is University Heights (North)-Fordham safe to walk at night?

Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.

Is University Heights (North)-Fordham a good place to live?

On safety, University Heights (North)-Fordham scores 54/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.

How walkable is University Heights (North)-Fordham?

Walk score 96/100 and bike score 62/100. Most errands can be done on foot.

Which areas near University Heights (North)-Fordham are safer?

Inwood (Manhattan) (72), Kingsbridge Heights-Van Cortlandt Village (68), Bedford Park (61) score higher nearby.

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