Is Westchester Square safe?
The Bronx, New York · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Westchester Square as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Westchester Square
“Go with care. Westchester Square is a bustling working-class commercial and transit hub in the East Bronx that is reasonably safe during daylight hours. Visitors should maintain street awareness around the central subway plaza and bus stops where loitering, petty theft, and occasional disorderly conduct occur, particularly after dark.”
About the area
Westchester Square serves as a major civic, medical, and shopping crossroads in the East Bronx, anchored by the elevated 6 subway line and historical sites. The immediate commercial plaza is high-energy and retail-dense, while surrounding residential streets feature quiet rowhouses and low-rise apartment buildings.
- Transit Hub
- Working-Class
- Historic Pocket
- Busy Commercial
Walking and biking in Westchester Square
Walk score: 93/100 · Bike score: 62/100
Citi Bike docking stations are available near the transit plaza, but dedicated bike lanes are scarce on East Tremont Avenue; cyclists must navigate heavy bus and commercial traffic to connect to the Hutchinson River Greenway.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to South Bronx neighborhoods, falling under the generally quieter NYPD 45th Precinct
- Active, pedestrian-heavy commercial district with constant daytime foot traffic
- Direct access to major medical facilities like Montefiore Westchester Square and civic landmarks
- Residential blocks off the main avenues offer stable, quiet multi-family housing
Cons
- Elevated rates of petty theft, retail larceny, and car break-ins along commercial avenues
- Poverty rates in the immediate vicinity hover near 20% with lower median household incomes relative to NYC averages
- Elevated subway corridor creates noise and dimly lit, congested sidewalk bottlenecks prone to loitering
- Noticeable drop in foot traffic and increased unease after local shops close late at night
Homelessness: Visible homelessness and individuals panhandling or lingering are moderately common around the Westchester Square subway station entrances and Owen Dolen Park, though formal encampments are uncommon.
What Westchester Square is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Vibrant and busy with commuters, school kids, and open storefronts, feeling generally safe and orderly.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- High pedestrian density with shoppers, hospital workers, and buses; standard urban awareness is sufficient.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Crowds thin out as retail closes, and loitering around the subway station increases, warranting extra vigilance.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets become quiet and desolate under the elevated train; walking alone is not recommended for unfamiliar visitors.
Transit, parking and getting around
MTA operates the Westchester Square–East Tremont Avenue subway station on the 6 line right at the neighborhood core, along with extensive bus transfers including the Bx4, Bx4A, Bx14, Bx21, Bx31, Bx40, and Bx42 routes.
Street parking is notoriously competitive along commercial stretches with metered spots strictly enforced; side residential streets have alternate-side parking rules, and public parking garages are limited.
Things to do in Westchester Square
- Visit the historic Huntington Free Library and Reading Room, built in 1891 and operating as a preserved private landmark library
- Explore the grounds of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, one of the oldest parish foundations in the Bronx dating back to 1700
- Browse local Latin American and Caribbean markets, bakeries, and retail along East Tremont Avenue
Local favorites
- Patricia's of Morris Park · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (1620)A nearby staple beloved across the area for wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas, and generous Italian classics.
- Emilio's Pizza · Pizza Restaurant · 4.4★ (480)Popular local counter-serve pizzeria serving classic Bronx slices, garlic knots, and hero sandwiches.
- Huntington Free Library · Historic Library · 4.8★ (45)A historic, non-circulating research library offering quiet community reading spaces and local history archives.
Neighborhoods near Westchester Square
Common questions about Westchester Square
Is Westchester Square safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Westchester Square a good place to live?
On safety, Westchester Square scores 63/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Westchester Square?
Walk score 93/100 and bike score 62/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Westchester Square are safer?
Pelham Bay-Country Club-City Island (82), Morris Park (76), Pelham Parkway-Van Nest (70) score higher nearby.
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