Is University of Delaware safe?
Newark, Delaware · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates University of Delaware as “Go”.
Gogo's take on University of Delaware
“Go. The University of Delaware campus and adjacent Main Street corridor are safe, well-maintained, and welcoming for visitors. Violent crime is rare, though standard college-town property crime, bike thefts, and lively weekend bar crowds are present.”
About the area
Centered around historic Georgian brick architecture and the lively Main Street commercial strip, the University of Delaware core is Newark's primary cultural and social anchor. Visitors can stroll along expansive tree-lined greens, explore campus museums, and access a wide array of walkable dining and retail options.
- College Town
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Walkable Dining Hub
- Lively
Walking and biking in University of Delaware
Walk score: 88/100 · Bike score: 85/100
Newark features extensive on-street bike lanes and direct connection to the Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail, which connects the campus north into White Clay Creek State Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Heavy security presence with dual coverage from Newark Police Department and the University of Delaware Police Department.
- Very low violent crime rate relative to national and state averages.
- Well-lit pedestrian network equipped with ubiquitous emergency blue-light call boxes.
- Well-maintained public realm with abundant campus amenities and green spaces.
Cons
- Elevated rates of opportunistic property crime, particularly unsecured bicycle thefts and unattended item theft.
- Rowdy weekend night crowds and noise along Main Street from student nightlife.
- Census economic metrics are skewed by a dense, non-earning undergraduate student population.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low on the university grounds, with occasional panhandling observed along the commercial portions of Main Street; the area is not characterized by encampments.
What University of Delaware is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Quiet and serene with faculty, students, and joggers moving across campus paths in a very safe environment.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Energetic and bustling with heavy foot traffic on Main Street and campus plazas, presenting excellent natural surveillance.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Active and well-lit with patrons dining out and attending campus events; safe for walking alone or in groups.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Campus greens remain secure with regular police patrols, though Main Street can experience alcohol-fueled disorderly conduct near closing time.
Transit, parking and getting around
DART First State provides local bus routes throughout Newark, while the free UD Shuttle circulates the campus; Newark Station (serving SEPTA Regional Rail and Amtrak) is located approximately one mile south.
Metered street parking is available on Main Street alongside municipal surface lots and UD parking garages (such as Trabant and Center on the Green) charging roughly $2 to $3 per hour.
Things to do in University of Delaware
- Stroll along The Green to admire classic Georgian Revival architecture and the iconic Memorial Hall.
- Visit the University of Delaware Botanic Gardens on South Campus to view diverse plant collections.
- Browse local boutiques, bookstores, and eateries along vibrant East Main Street.
Local favorites
- Caffe Gelato · Italian Restaurant · 4.6★ (2150)Fine-dining staple known for house-made pastas, extensive wine list, and artisanal gelato.
- Deer Park Tavern · Historic Pub & Grill · 4.3★ (2850)Storied historic venue offering classic pub fare, draft beer, and live entertainment.
- Klondike Kate's Restaurant & Bar · American Restaurant · 4.2★ (1420)Longstanding Main Street fixture serving burgers, nachos, and cocktails in a casual setting.
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.