Is Bon Air safe?
Winston-Salem, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Bon Air as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Bon Air
“Go with care. Bon Air is primarily a working-class residential neighborhood with little in the way of traditional tourist attractions. Daytime visits to local parks or community facilities are generally uneventful, but visitors should maintain situational awareness after dark due to above-average property and violent crime rates in the broader sector.”
Local coverage intermittently highlights community engagement initiatives alongside occasional reports of gun-related offenses in Winston-Salem's northeast quadrant.
About the area
Bon Air is an established, modest residential community located in north-central Winston-Salem. It consists mostly of mid-century single-family homes, local churches, and quiet neighborhood streets. Its convenience lies in its direct proximity to University Parkway, US-52, and the downtown arts and entertainment district.
- Residential
- Working-Class
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
Walking and biking in Bon Air
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 31/100
There are no dedicated on-street bike lanes within Bon Air, but experienced cyclists can connect to the Salem Creek Greenway system closer to downtown.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Close proximity and quick vehicular access to downtown Winston-Salem and major transit corridors
- Generous street parking and low traffic congestion on interior neighborhood roads
- Established residential fabric with long-standing community institutions
Cons
- Property crime and violent crime rates sit above both state and national averages
- Elevated poverty rate and lower median household income compared to Forsyth County as a whole
- Minimal commercial amenities, dining options, or walkable retail within the neighborhood borders
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a prominent feature within the interior residential streets of Bon Air, though occasional individuals experiencing homelessness may be observed along major nearby commercial thoroughfares such as North Patterson Avenue.
What Bon Air is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are calm and sleepy, with minimal traffic as residents commute to work and school.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons are generally tranquil with light residential activity and neighborhood dog walkers.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down quickly at dusk; lighting can be uneven on side streets so caution is warranted.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights are very quiet, but higher regional crime rates make foot travel ill-advised after midnight.
Transit, parking and getting around
The Winston-Salem Transit Authority (WSTA) serves the neighborhood via fixed bus routes like Route 90 and Route 92, which connect residents to the Clark Campbell Transportation Center downtown.
Street parking is free, unrestricted, and easily accessible along most residential streets, with ample private driveways throughout.
Things to do in Bon Air
- Spend an afternoon enjoying the playground, basketball courts, and open fields at Blum Park
- Play a round of golf or walk the nature paths at nearby Winston Lake Park
- Catch a college basketball game or concert at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum located a short drive west
Local favorites
- Pulliam's Barbeque · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.5★ (960)A legendary local institution serving classic North Carolina pulled pork and renowned chili dogs.
- Putter's Patio & Grill · American Grill · 4.4★ (1850)Popular neighborhood sports eatery known for charbroiled steaks, burgers, and lively patio seating.
- Cagney's Kitchen · Diner · 4.2★ (1420)Casual family-style diner dishing out hearty Southern breakfast platters, comfort foods, and sandwiches.
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.