Is Barham safe?
Wake Forest, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Barham as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Barham
“Go. Barham is a quiet, exceptionally safe residential enclave in Wake Forest with minimal crime and a calm suburban ambiance. Visitors will find virtually no safety concerns during normal travel, though you will need a car to access commercial amenities.”
About the area
Barham is a peaceful suburban residential community situated in eastern Wake Forest, North Carolina. Characterized by single-family subdivisions, mature trees, and spacious lots, the area offers a relaxed residential atmosphere within easy driving distance of historic downtown Wake Forest.
- Suburban / Quiet
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Tree-Lined
Walking and biking in Barham
Walk score: 18/100 · Bike score: 25/100
Wake Forest features developing greenway paths like the Dunn Creek Greenway nearby, though Barham itself relies mainly on shared residential roads with no bike-share program.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates well below both national and North Carolina state averages
- High rates of homeownership and well-maintained residential properties
- High median household incomes and low poverty levels typical of Wake County suburbs
- Proximity to Wake Forest's parks, greenways, and historic district
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent with minimal direct pedestrian infrastructure
- Limited commercial or dining options within immediate walking distance
- Minor property crimes like unlocked vehicle theft occasionally reported across the broader suburban corridor
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Barham or the surrounding residential sections of Wake Forest.
What Barham is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant with residents walking dogs and low traffic on residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and safe, with standard suburban school and commuter movement.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and tranquil as families return home; very safe for neighborhood walks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and dark with minimal activity and negligible safety risk.
Transit, parking and getting around
GoRaleigh provides limited local bus service in Wake Forest via the Wake Forest Loop (Route WFX / WFL), but coverage does not directly serve the interior of Barham; personal vehicle travel is necessary.
Ample free driveway and street parking is available throughout the neighborhood, and commercial areas in Wake Forest offer free surface parking lots.
Things to do in Barham
- Stroll or jog along nearby neighborhood greenway connections and local parks like Holding Park
- Explore the historic downtown Wake Forest district, located just minutes away by car
- Visit the Wake Forest Farmers Market nearby on South White Street for fresh local goods
Local favorites
- Norse Brewing Company · Brewery & Scandinavian Pub · 4.6★ (1150)Popular nearby brewpub serving craft beers and Nordic-inspired comfort fare.
- Shorty's Famous Hot Dogs · American Diner · 4.6★ (1320)Historic, family-run institution serving classic hot dogs since 1916.
- Over the Falls · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (1280)Casual neighborhood eatery serving sandwiches, pizza, and tavern fare.
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.