Is Ansonborough safe?
Charleston, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Ansonborough as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Ansonborough
“Go. Ansonborough is one of Charleston's safest, quietest, and most affluent historic neighborhoods, offering exceptionally low violent crime and beautifully preserved residential streets. Basic awareness is all that is needed, particularly late at night when walking near the busier nightlife corridors along Market and East Bay streets.”
About the area
Ansonborough is a prestigious, primarily residential neighborhood in downtown Charleston known for its lush private gardens, brick sidewalks, and handsome 18th- and 19th-century homes. It offers a tranquil retreat while sitting steps away from the city's finest dining, cultural venues, and shopping corridors.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Affluent Residential
- Quiet & Peaceful
- Architectural Charm
Walking and biking in Ansonborough
Walk score: 92/100 · Bike score: 78/100
The neighborhood's flat terrain is easy to navigate by bicycle, with Holy City Bike Share stations located nearby on Calhoun and Meeting streets, though historic cobblestone and narrow streets require careful riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low rates of violent crime and strong residential security
- Affluent economic profile with high median household incomes and exceptionally high property values
- Immaculate walkability with immediate proximity to the Gaillard Center and downtown attractions
Cons
- Periodic petty property crimes like bicycle theft and vehicle break-ins near busy commercial boundaries
- Low-lying streets are susceptible to tidal flooding and heavy storm run-off
- Heavily restricted street parking with aggressive enforcement of residential permit zones
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually nonexistent on the interior residential blocks of Ansonborough. A modest presence of unhoused individuals and panhandling can occasionally be observed along the commercial edges of Calhoun Street and near the Charleston City Market.
What Ansonborough is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene as residents walk dogs beneath moss-draped live oaks with virtually no safety concerns.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Pleasantly active with light walking tour foot traffic and residents, feeling completely safe and secure.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and well-lit by gas lanterns; very safe for evening strolls to and from nearby downtown restaurants.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet residential streets remain generally safe, though standard caution is advised near the noisier fringes bordering Market Street bars.
Transit, parking and getting around
CARTA serves the perimeter via the free downtown DASH shuttle routes (Routes 210 and 211) and local bus lines along Calhoun and Meeting streets, providing quick links across the peninsula.
On-street parking is predominantly restricted to residential permit holders with strict two-hour visitor limits; paid parking is easiest at the Gaillard Center Garage or the East Bay / Prioleau garage.
Things to do in Ansonborough
- Take an architectural walking tour down historic Hasell and Anson Streets to view antebellum single houses
- Attend a world-class symphony, ballet, or touring production at the nearby Charleston Gaillard Center
- Explore the historic gardens and boutique accommodations along George Street
Local favorites
- Zero Restaurant + Bar · Fine Dining · 4.8★ (520)Celebrated tasting menu destination set in the courtyard of a boutique historic 1804 carriage house.
- Cru Cafe · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (2150)Acclaimed gourmet comfort food served in a cozy, classic 18th-century yellow single house.
- Anson Restaurant · Seafood Restaurant · 4.5★ (1280)Sophisticated Lowcountry dining specializing in local seafood and coastal classics on Anson Street.
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.