Is Bostetter safe?
Hagerstown, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Bostetter as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Bostetter
“Go. Bostetter is a peaceful, semi-rural community on the eastern outskirts of Hagerstown with very low violent and property crime rates. While there is little commercial bustle directly inside the neighborhood, visitors will find it exceptionally safe, quiet, and easily navigated by car.”
About the area
Bostetter is a small census-designated community located east of Hagerstown along Maryland Route 64 (Jefferson Boulevard). It features a mix of mid-century single-family homes, spacious parcels, and surrounding agricultural vistas. It offers a tranquil country atmosphere while remaining just minutes from urban conveniences.
- Quiet / Residential
- Semi-Rural
- Car-Dependent
- Peaceful
Walking and biking in Bostetter
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 22/100
There are no bike-share stations or dedicated bike lanes in Bostetter; riding is limited to narrow roadway shoulders alongside vehicle traffic.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low incidence of violent and property crime compared to central Hagerstown
- High rate of owner-occupied housing with well-maintained properties and minimal vacancy
- Peaceful suburban-rural atmosphere with quick driving access to Interstate 70 and US-40
Cons
- High car dependency with virtually no sidewalks or walkable retail cores
- Sparse street lighting along secondary roads after dark
- Very few dining, lodging, or cultural attractions situated directly within the CDP boundaries
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in Bostetter. Support services, shelters, and encampments are situated several miles west in downtown Hagerstown.
What Bostetter is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very safe and calm, with quiet residential streets and light commuter traffic heading toward Hagerstown.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and relaxed, characterized by routine residential activities and minimal foot traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and secure, though roadways become dim quickly due to sparse street lighting.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely peaceful with negligible street crime, though nocturnal wildlife and unlit roads require cautious driving.
Transit, parking and getting around
Washington County Transit (County Commuter) operates regional bus routes in the Hagerstown metro, but service does not directly extend into Bostetter; there are no passenger rail or BRT connections nearby.
Parking is completely effortless and free, with ample space in private driveways, residential properties, and business surface lots.
Things to do in Bostetter
- Shop for fresh local produce and seasonal treats along the Jefferson Boulevard agricultural corridor
- Take a scenic drive toward the Catoctin and South Mountain ranges just to the east
- Attend community events and agricultural shows at the nearby Washington County Agricultural Education Center
Local favorites
- Cronise Market Place · Farm Market · 4.7★ (620)A popular roadside market offering fresh local produce, baked goods, cider, and seasonal plants.
- Hoffman's Quality Meats · Butcher Shop · 4.8★ (410)A long-standing local butcher shop known for custom cuts, sausages, smoked meats, and deli items.
- Bonnie's at the Red Run · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (380)A cozy, nearby tavern and restaurant serving hearty American comfort classics and seafood.
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.