Is Ashland safe?
Huntsville, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Ashland as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Ashland
“Go. Ashland is a peaceful, well-kept residential neighborhood located just east of central Huntsville. Visitors can comfortably explore the area during daylight and evening hours with standard neighborhood awareness.”
About the area
Ashland is an established, tree-lined residential community offering mid-century homes and quiet streets near the foothills of Monte Sano Mountain. Its proximity to Five Points and Downtown Huntsville makes it a tranquil home base close to city amenities.
- Quiet Residential
- Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Ashland
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 48/100
There is no direct bike-share station inside Ashland, but neighborhood streets are low-stress for cycling with easy road connections toward the Five Points and Downtown bikeways.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low violent crime rates well below the national urban average
- High rates of homeownership and well-maintained single-family properties
- Convenient 5-minute drive to Downtown Huntsville and Five Points dining
- Quiet residential atmosphere with minimal through-traffic
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins
- Limited street lighting on some residential interior roads
- Minimal commercial amenities directly inside the neighborhood footprint
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within Ashland, though occasional unhoused individuals may be seen closer to major commercial corridors along Memorial Parkway.
What Ashland is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, joggers, and residents heading to work.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet residential streets with minimal traffic and high visibility.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and safe for neighborhood strolls, though lighting is suburban and dim in sections.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and generally safe, with standard precautions advised against vehicle theft.
Transit, parking and getting around
Huntsville Transit (Orbit) operates fixed-route bus lines along nearby major thoroughfares like Andrew Jackson Way, but service is infrequent and Huntsville has no passenger rail system.
Free and ample street parking is available throughout the neighborhood, and residential driveways are standard.
Things to do in Ashland
- Take a scenic walk through the shaded streets admiring classic mid-century architecture
- Hike nearby trailheads at Monte Sano State Park just a short drive up the mountain
- Visit neighboring Five Points for local coffee, dining, and historic district strolls
Local favorites
- Olde Towne Coffee Shoppe · Coffee Shop · 4.6★ (840)Beloved neighborhood staple in nearby Five Points serving specialty espresso drinks and fresh baked goods.
- 1892 East Restaurant & Tavern · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (1150)Upscale neighborhood bistro focusing on locally sourced ingredients, craft beer, and seasonal Southern fare.
- Thai Garden · Thai Restaurant · 4.4★ (690)Longstanding local favorite offering classic noodle dishes, curries, and vegetarian options in an unassuming setting.
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.