Is Upper East Side safe?
Wilmington, Delaware · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Upper East Side as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Upper East Side
“Go with care. Upper East Side has historic rowhome charm and close proximity to the Brandywine River, but it suffers from above-average violent and property crime rates. Casual tourists should stick to daytime visits and maintain situational awareness.”
Local community initiatives and Wilmington police have focused increased patrols and youth programming in the area to address intermittent street violence and gun-related incidents.
About the area
Wilmington's Upper East Side is a densely settled, historic residential neighborhood made up primarily of brick rowhouses situated between downtown and the Brandywine River. While enriched by longstanding community roots and scenic river parkland nearby, it faces significant economic and safety challenges.
- Historic Rowhouses
- Urban Residential
- Working-Class
- River-Adjacent
Walking and biking in Upper East Side
Walk score: 74/100 · Bike score: 58/100
Dedicated on-street bike lanes are sparse, but the neighborhood provides direct access to the off-road Northern Delaware Greenway Trail along Brandywine Creek.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Immediate access to the scenic walking trails and recreational open spaces of the Brandywine River corridor
- Close proximity to Downtown Wilmington employment, dining, and cultural venues
- High transit accessibility and walkable street grid connecting directly to regional rail
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates consistently track higher than state and national averages
- Elevated poverty rates exceeding 25% with visible pockets of housing vacancy and deferred maintenance
- Very few commercial, dining, or retail options located directly within the interior residential blocks
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is uncommon within the purely residential interior streets, but individuals experiencing homelessness and occasional panhandling are present closer to downtown bus transfer points and fringe social service hubs.
What Upper East Side is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Generally calm and quiet as residents commute, making it reasonably safe for a brisk walk.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Moderate foot traffic and children returning from school, though standard urban vigilance is recommended.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity thins out quickly and visitor comfort drops; stick to well-lit perimeter thoroughfares.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Walking alone late at night is not recommended due to heightened risks of street robberies and illicit activity.
Transit, parking and getting around
DART First State operates frequent local bus routes (including Routes 2, 6, and 14) along nearby corridors, and the Wilmington Amtrak/SEPTA Regional Rail Station is about one mile south.
On-street parking on residential blocks is generally plentiful and free, though some streets have scheduled street-sweeping restrictions.
Things to do in Upper East Side
- Enjoy scenic river overlooks and open green space at Fletcher Brown Park
- Connect to the paved Brandywine Trail for walking, jogging, or biking along the river
- Tour the historic 1699 Old Swedes Church and burial ground located just to the south
Local favorites
- Old Swedes Historic Site · Historic Site · 4.6★ (185)Historic 1699 granite church, museum, and burial ground highlighting early colonial Swedish-American history.
- Milk & Honey Coffeehouse · Coffee Shop · 4.6★ (210)Community-focused gathering place serving specialty espresso, cold brews, and fresh baked goods.
- El Toro Restaurant & Meat Market · Mexican Restaurant · 4.4★ (340)Neighborhood Latin grocery and taqueria serving authentic street tacos, tortas, and prepared meats.
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.