Is Washington safe?
Washington Township (Burlington County), New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Washington as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Washington
“Go. Washington Township in Burlington County is an exceptionally peaceful and safe rural municipality nestled in the heart of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Violent and property crime rates are well below state and national averages, making personal safety a non-issue for visitors. Your primary safety considerations will be outdoor hazards, navigating dark unpaved roads, and spotty cellular coverage.”
About the area
Occupying a vast, forested expanse of South Jersey, Washington Township encompasses historic river hamlets like Green Bank and Lower Bank alongside large portions of Wharton and Penn State Forests. It is a quintessential Pine Barrens community where life revolves around cranberry bogs, cedar swamps, and pristine waterways. Visitors primarily travel here for outdoor pursuits such as kayaking, camping, and exploring scenic wilderness trails.
- Rural / Forested
- Pine Barrens
- Outdoor Recreation
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Washington
Walk score: 8/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There are no municipal bike lanes or bike-share programs, but the township's extensive network of packed-sand forestry roads is popular for gravel, fat-tire, and mountain biking.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Near-zero violent crime rate with virtually no reported street crime or muggings
- High homeownership rate and stable rural community with low poverty
- Direct access to hundreds of acres of protected state forests and clean rivers
- Tranquil atmosphere completely removed from urban and suburban congestion
Cons
- Completely car-dependent with long driving distances to hospitals, groceries, and services
- Emergency response times can be prolonged due to the township's vast, isolated footprint
- Dimly lit rural routes and dirt forest roads present nighttime navigation and wildlife collision hazards
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Washington Township. There are no shelters, encampments, or panhandling hubs anywhere in this rural jurisdiction.
What Washington is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Crisp, quiet, and completely safe, with early-morning activity centered around paddlers launching and residents commuting.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very peaceful with light local traffic and outdoor enthusiasts enjoying rivers and forest trails.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and residential with little to no foot traffic; perfectly safe for relaxing around campgrounds or quiet homesteads.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-black and silent; entirely safe from street crime, though driving requires extra caution due to deer and winding unlit roads.
Transit, parking and getting around
There is no public fixed-route transit in Washington Township; NJ Transit does not run local buses through the area, and the nearest passenger rail stations (Atlantic City Rail Line in Hammonton or Egg Harbor City) are roughly a 20-minute drive away.
Parking is abundant, completely free, and uncomplicated, consisting primarily of gravel lots at state forest launches, campgrounds, and open roadside pull-offs.
Things to do in Washington
- Launch a canoe or kayak trip along the scenic, winding tea-colored waters of the Wading River
- Hike, birdwatch, or trail ride through the serene sand roads of Wharton State Forest
- Camp or enjoy outdoor family recreation at Wading Pines Camping Resort
Local favorites
- Mick's Pine Barrens Canoe & Kayak Rental · Canoe & Kayak Rental · 4.8★ (320)Longtime local outfitter providing watercraft rentals and shuttle services along the Wading and Oswego rivers.
- Wading Pines Camping Resort · Campground · 4.4★ (460)Sprawling, family-friendly campground along the river featuring cabins, RV sites, and outdoor recreation.
- Sweetwater Riverdeck · American Restaurant & Bar · 4.3★ (1150)Popular waterfront gathering spot just across the township line offering outdoor dining, drinks, and river views.
Neighborhoods near Washington
Common questions about Washington
Is Washington safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Washington a good place to live?
On safety, Washington scores 89/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Washington?
Walk score 8/100 and bike score 28/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Washington are safer?
Tabernacle (91), Shamong (91), Woodland (91) score higher nearby.
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