Is Ben Hill Forest safe?
Atlanta, Georgia · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Ben Hill Forest as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Ben Hill Forest
“Go with care. Ben Hill Forest is primarily a quiet, established residential neighborhood in Southwest Atlanta that sees little tourist traffic. While the residential interior streets are generally calm, the broader surrounding commercial corridors along Campbellton Road experience elevated levels of property crime and occasional violent incidents.”
Southwest Atlanta's Zone 4 has seen increased Atlanta Police Department focus on Campbellton Road retail corridors to curb repeat property offenses and late-night commercial disturbances.
About the area
Ben Hill Forest is a mid-century suburban residential pocket in Southwest Atlanta characterized by modest brick ranch homes, rolling wooded lots, and a strong sense of long-term community. It is heavily car-dependent and largely devoid of commercial attractions, serving primarily as a quiet residential enclave. Visitors generally only pass through when visiting local residents or nearby green spaces.
- Quiet Residential
- Wooded Suburb
- Car-Dependent
- Established Community
Walking and biking in Ben Hill Forest
Walk score: 24/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes or bike-share stations in the neighborhood, and hilly, narrow streets mean cycling is primarily recreational on local side roads rather than practical for commuting.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Predominantly quiet single-family residential streets with established homeownership
- Generous mature tree canopy and spacious suburban lot sizes
- Close proximity to outdoor recreation at Ben Hill Park and Cascade Springs Nature Preserve
- Convenient highway access to I-285 and Langford Parkway (GA-166)
Cons
- Above-average property crime and motor vehicle theft rates compared to national averages
- Proximity to higher-crime commercial corridors along Campbellton and Fairburn Roads
- Virtually no walkable commercial amenities, requiring a vehicle for everyday errands
- Limited street lighting and lack of continuous sidewalks on several interior residential streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within the interior residential streets of Ben Hill Forest, though occasional individuals experiencing homelessness or panhandling may be seen near shopping centers on the major Campbellton Road corridor.
What Ben Hill Forest is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet as residents commute out; safe for walking dogs or jogging along the residential roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm neighborhood activity with occasional delivery trucks and local traffic; general situational awareness is sufficient.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Subdued residential atmosphere; streets quickly empty out as dusk falls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet due to sparse streetlighting; walking alone is not recommended, and vehicle break-in risks increase.
Transit, parking and getting around
MARTA operates local bus routes (such as Route 83 and Route 162) along the perimeter roads like Campbellton Road and Fairburn Road, connecting riders to the Oakland City or H.E. Holmes rail stations roughly 15 to 20 minutes away.
Parking is exceptionally easy and free throughout the neighborhood, with ample private driveways and unrestricted on-street parking along residential roads.
Things to do in Ben Hill Forest
- Visit Ben Hill Park for youth sports, community tennis courts, and walking paths
- Hike the forested trails and see historic civil war earthworks at nearby Cascade Springs Nature Preserve
- Tour the outdoor recreation amenities and community programming at the Ben Hill Recreation Center
Local favorites
- Q Time Restaurant · Soul Food Restaurant · 4.2★ (1280)A longstanding neighborhood staple serving hearty Southern comfort classics and cafeteria-style soul food.
- Jamrock Restaurant · Jamaican Restaurant · 4.3★ (840)Popular local counter-serve spot offering authentic jerk chicken, oxtail, and classic Caribbean sides.
- Supreme Fish Delight · Seafood Restaurant · 4.1★ (460)Neighborhood quick-service counter known for fried fish sandwiches, wings, and classic sides.
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.