Is Brentwood safe?
Chantilly, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Brentwood as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Brentwood
“Go. Brentwood in Chantilly is a quiet, exceptionally safe suburban community characterized by manicured residential streets and minimal crime. Visitors and residents face little to no safety concerns beyond standard precautions against opportunistic property theft in parked vehicles.”
About the area
Brentwood is an established, affluent residential enclave nestled in Chantilly within western Fairfax County. It features single-family homes, townhouses, and adjacent commercial centers along the Route 50 corridor, offering convenient access to Dulles Airport and Northern Virginia business hubs.
- Quiet Suburb
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Safe & Well-Maintained
Walking and biking in Brentwood
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 42/100
While dedicated bike lanes within the neighborhood are limited, nearby Ellanor C. Lawrence Park and surrounding county greenways offer paved multi-use trails for recreational cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are extraordinarily low and far below national and state medians.
- High median household incomes, low poverty rate, and well-maintained housing infrastructure.
- Peaceful, family-oriented neighborhood environment with responsive Fairfax County public safety services.
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent with limited pedestrian infrastructure along major bordering arterials.
- Occasional isolated property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins or package theft.
- Heavy commuter traffic congestion during peak hours along Route 50 and Route 28.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in Brentwood, with no established encampments or visible panhandling present in the residential zones.
What Brentwood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very calm and quiet as residents commute, with occasional joggers and dog walkers moving through the neighborhood in complete safety.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Peaceful residential atmosphere with clear visibility and low local vehicular traffic within the subdivision streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and secure, with families outdoors and well-lit residential streets allowing for worry-free evening strolls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely tranquil and safe, though sidewalks outside the subdivision along major roads lack pedestrian activity.
Transit, parking and getting around
Fairfax Connector buses run along major nearby corridors like Route 50, providing connecting routes to the Silver Line Metrorail at Innovation Center or Dulles Airport stations located a short drive away.
Parking is abundant and free throughout the area, with private driveways, residential street parking, and large surface lots at all commercial plazas.
Things to do in Brentwood
- Explore the nearby Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Smithsonian Air and Space Museum) just minutes away.
- Enjoy outdoor recreation, walking paths, and sports fields at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.
- Tour historic Sully Historic Site to learn about 18th-century Northern Virginia heritage.
Local favorites
- Pho Chinatown · Vietnamese Restaurant · 4.5★ (750)Popular local spot serving hearty bowls of traditional beef pho and Vietnamese classics in a casual setting.
- Megabites Eatery · American Cafe & Deli · 4.7★ (680)Beloved neighborhood cafe offering generous breakfast platters, gourmet sandwiches, and fresh coffee.
- Mustang Sally Brewing Company · Brewery & Taproom · 4.6★ (510)Spacious craft brewery nearby featuring rotating artisanal beers and community events.
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.