Is Brookland / Brentwood / Langdon safe?
Washington, Washington, D.C. · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Brookland / Brentwood / Langdon as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Brookland / Brentwood / Langdon
“Go with care. Brookland and its surrounding enclaves offer exceptional historical and religious architecture, arts, and neighborhood dining, but safety conditions vary by corridor. Visitors should stick to well-traveled university and retail corridors, especially after dark, while keeping an eye on property crime risks.”
Targeted police patrols have increased around the Rhode Island Ave and Brookland Metro corridors following localized spikes in auto thefts and evening commercial corridor robberies across Northeast D.C.
About the area
Brookland, often dubbed 'Little Rome' due to Catholic University and numerous Catholic institutions, is characterized by leafy residential streets, historic bungalows, and a modern arts district along Monroe Street. Adjacent Brentwood and Langdon blend quieter residential blocks with light industrial pockets and major transit hubs. While Brookland's core is vibrant and welcoming, adjacent thoroughfares experience typical urban property and opportunistic crime.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- College Town Charm
- Artsy
- Residential Enclave
Walking and biking in Brookland / Brentwood / Langdon
Walk score: 74/100 · Bike score: 82/100
Excellent access via Capital Bikeshare stations located near both Metro stops and direct connectivity to the paved Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) running straight into NoMa and Union Station.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- High institutional presence and campus security from Catholic University and nearby monasteries stabilize the Brookland core
- Median household income in residential Brookland exceeds $100,000 with high rates of educational attainment
- Direct access to the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) and dedicated Red Line rail infrastructure
Cons
- Property crime, notably vehicle break-ins and catalytic converter theft, remains elevated along perimeter streets
- Elevated violent crime rates near commercial strips and industrial borders along Rhode Island Ave NE and Brentwood Rd
- Isolated and poorly lit stretches near rail tracks and industrial yards between Brentwood and Langdon after business hours
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is generally low in residential Brookland but moderately concentrated near the Rhode Island Ave Metro station underpasses and Brentwood shopping plazas. Occasional small encampments form along railway embankments and bridge crossings.
What Brookland / Brentwood / Langdon is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and safe, with commuters, university students, and dog walkers filling 12th Street NE and campus paths.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Pleasant and lively around Monroe Street Market and monastery gardens, with standard urban awareness needed on arterial roads.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Dining corridors along 12th St and Monroe remain welcoming, though industrial pockets in Brentwood and Langdon become empty and quiet.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Best navigated with caution or rideshares; foot traffic drops significantly outside student hubs and opportunistic robberies occasionally occur.
Transit, parking and getting around
Served by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) via the Brookland-CUA and Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Red Line Metro stations, alongside major bus routes including the 80, H2, H4, and G8.
Residential street parking is readily available with Zone 5 permits, while visitors will find 2-hour unmetered spaces or paid public parking garages at Monroe Street Market starting around $3 to $5 per hour.
Things to do in Brookland / Brentwood / Langdon
- Tour the grand Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and its expansive crypt church
- Explore the rose gardens and replica Holy Land shrines at the Franciscan Monastery
- Browse local artist studios and attend community events along the Arts Walk at Monroe Street Market
Local favorites
- Menomale · Italian Restaurant · 4.6★ (920)Beloved local trattoria serving certified Neapolitan pizza and Italian craft beers.
- Right Proper Brewing Company (Brookland Production House) · Brewery · 4.7★ (460)Spacious community taproom featuring wild ales, draft pours, and patio seating.
- Busboys and Poets - Brookland · Bookstore & Cafe · 4.4★ (2350)Community hub offering comfort food, coffee, poetry readings, and a progressive bookshop.
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.