Is Bond Hill safe?
Cincinnati, Ohio · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Bond Hill as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Bond Hill
“Go with care. While primarily a quiet, residential mid-century neighborhood with close-knit community pockets, visitors should remain alert along major commercial thoroughfares like Reading Road. It is generally peaceful during the day, though property crime and sporadic violent incidents warrant standard urban caution.”
Local community development corporations and the city have recently targeted Reading Road and surrounding corridors for commercial revitalization and pedestrian infrastructure improvements.
About the area
Bond Hill is a historic, centrally located Cincinnati neighborhood characterized by established brick homes, community parks, and industrial corridors along the highway. Located just north of Norwood and adjacent to the Norwood Lateral expressway, it functions primarily as an affordable residential enclave rather than a major entertainment destination.
- Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Working-Class
- Mid-Century Architecture
Walking and biking in Bond Hill
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 42/100
Dedicated cycling lanes and Cincy Red Bike stations are limited within Bond Hill, making road biking better suited for experienced urban cyclists on side streets.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Centrally located with direct access to I-75 and the Norwood Lateral (SR 562)
- Affordable housing stock with well-maintained single-family brick homes on residential side streets
- Active community council advocating for ongoing neighborhood investments and public services
Cons
- Property crime rates and vehicle thefts are higher than the national and state averages
- Pockets of elevated poverty and commercial vacancy along key arterial roads
- Limited commercial dining, retail, and entertainment options within walking distance
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is relatively low compared to downtown districts, though occasional panhandling and unhoused individuals may be seen near highway underpasses and commercial strip centers along Reading Road.
What Bond Hill is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and uneventful as residents commute to work and local schools open.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Generally quiet with standard vehicular traffic along Reading Road and Langdon Farm Road.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down quickly on residential streets, though caution is advised at transit stops and gas stations.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet but higher risk for property theft and occasional disturbances; late-night walking is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Operated by the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA/Metro), Bond Hill is served by bus routes such as Route 43 (Reading Road) and Route 4, providing direct access to Downtown Cincinnati without rapid rail service.
Street parking is widely available and free on almost all residential streets, while businesses and community facilities provide dedicated surface parking lots.
Things to do in Bond Hill
- Visit the Maketewah Country Club grounds and surrounding classic mid-century architecture
- Utilize the recreation facilities and community programming at the Bond Hill Community Center
- Attend local community events and browse resources at the Bond Hill Branch Library
Local favorites
- Maketewah Country Club · Private Golf & Country Club · 4.6★ (165)Historic championship golf course and banquet venue tucked in the heart of the neighborhood.
- Richie's Chicken & Soul Food · Soul Food Restaurant · 4.1★ (520)Longstanding local counter-serve favorite known for spicy fried chicken and classic Southern sides.
- Bond Hill Branch Library · Public Library · 4.6★ (95)Essential neighborhood hub offering community meeting spaces, public computing, and extensive collections.
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.
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