Is Wilmington Island safe?
Savannah, Georgia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Wilmington Island as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Wilmington Island
“Go. Wilmington Island is one of the safest, most affluent residential communities in the Savannah metropolitan area. Visitors heading here for marsh views, boating, or neighborhood dining will encounter minimal safety risks beyond basic personal awareness.”
About the area
Wilmington Island is a relaxed, upscale suburban coastal island community located between historic Savannah and Tybee Island. Characterized by tidal marshes, live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and quiet residential subdivisions, it serves primarily as a tranquil bedroom community for families and retirees.
- Suburban / Coastal
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet & Residential
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Wilmington Island
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are no bike-share stations or dedicated multi-use greenways connecting to mainland Savannah; riding is best kept to quiet neighborhood loops.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are exceptionally low compared to the Savannah city average
- High median household income above $90,000 and low poverty rate under 6%
- High rate of homeownership and well-maintained residential properties
- Active patrol and quick response times from the Chatham County Police Department
Cons
- Car-dependent with limited street lighting and sidewalks along secondary roads
- Isolated incidents of opportunistic unlocked vehicle thefts in residential driveways
- Vulnerable to coastal flooding and tropical storm road closures along access causeways
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence on Wilmington Island, as social services and shelters are concentrated in downtown Savannah.
What Wilmington Island is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents jogging, dog walking, and commuting along tree-lined neighborhood streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe, with moderate traffic along Johnny Mercer Boulevard and busy commercial plazas.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and family-oriented, with diners frequenting local strip malls and marina restaurants without safety concerns.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet due to limited streetlights in residential areas, but crime risks remain very low.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is virtually nonexistent on the island; Chatham Area Transit (CAT) does not operate regular fixed-route bus services directly through Wilmington Island neighborhoods.
Parking is completely free, ample, and easy to find across shopping center lots, marinas, and residential driveways.
Things to do in Wilmington Island
- Launch a kayak or boat from local marinas to explore the Wilmington River and surrounding salt marshes
- Play a round of golf surrounded by tidal marshlands at the historic Savannah Country Club
- Sample fresh coastal seafood and Southern cuisine at casual waterfront and neighborhood eateries
Local favorites
- Lili's Restaurant & Bar · New American · 4.7★ (680)Acclaimed neighborhood bistro serving elevated seafood and global-inspired comfort fare.
- Papa's Bar-B-Q & Seafood · Seafood & Barbecue · 4.5★ (1250)Longtime, family-friendly staple known for classic Georgia barbecue and fried coastal seafood platters.
- Castaways · Seafood Restaurant · 4.6★ (520)Casual island dining spot featuring craft draft beers and fresh local catch.
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.