Is Carters Hill safe?
Montgomery, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Carters Hill as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Carters Hill
“Go with care. While daytime visits along Carter Hill Road and trips to local restaurants are generally unproblematic, Montgomery's elevated property crime and isolated incidents of violence mean caution is necessary. Visitors should stick to active commercial areas during daylight hours and avoid unlit side streets after dark.”
Recent local news coverage in the Carter Hill corridor primarily involves recurring property crimes, vehicle thefts, and sporadic commercial lot disturbances common to Montgomery arterials.
About the area
Carters Hill is a transitional, vehicle-oriented corridor in central-east Montgomery spanning commercial strip plazas, student housing, and established residential pockets. Situated near Alabama State University and the historic Cloverdale neighborhood, it serves as a functional thoroughfare with local eateries, retail outlets, and neighborhood service businesses.
- Car-Dependent
- Commercial Strip
- College-Adjacent
- Transitional
Walking and biking in Carters Hill
Walk score: 46/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are no dedicated bike-share stations or protected cycling lanes in the immediate area, and the city greenway network does not directly connect here.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Convenient central location with rapid access to Alabama State University and downtown Montgomery
- Established residential pockets featuring mature tree canopy and traditional single-family homes
- Home to authentic local dining options and neighborhood-oriented retail services
Cons
- Property crime rates, including auto break-ins and commercial theft, run higher than national averages
- Census data indicates pockets of elevated poverty and higher housing vacancy rates compared to suburban peers
- Poor pedestrian infrastructure along high-speed corridors makes walking between destinations hazardous
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is occasionally present along major intersections and strip mall plazas on Carter Hill Road, though formal encampments are rare in this section of the city.
What Carters Hill is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Relatively calm and active with routine commuter traffic; safe for running errands and visiting commercial spots.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy vehicle flow along Carter Hill Road with open businesses; standard situational awareness is sufficient.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pedestrian foot traffic drops considerably as shops close, warranting increased caution in commercial parking lots.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets become quiet and poorly illuminated in several sections, making late-night walking inadvisable due to opportunist crime risks.
Transit, parking and getting around
The Montgomery Area Transit System (The M) operates bus routes such as Route 3 and Route 7 through the Carter Hill corridor, though service is infrequent and the region has no passenger rail or BRT lines.
Parking is straightforward and free in dedicated commercial surface lots and along most residential side streets, with no paid meters or parking decks present.
Things to do in Carters Hill
- Sample classic Southern comfort food at historic local dining establishments along Carter Hill Road
- Explore the campus grounds and sporting events at nearby Alabama State University
- Take a short drive to the adjacent Cloverdale district for historic architecture and community parks
Local favorites
- Mrs. B's On Carter Hill · Soul Food Restaurant · 4.4★ (320)A beloved Montgomery institution serving classic meat-and-three soul food plates, fried chicken, and homemade sides.
- Jalapeños Mexican Grill · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (415)A casual local staple offering generous portions of tacos, fajitas, and traditional Mexican favorites.
- Leroy Lounge · Cocktail Bar · 4.6★ (290)A cozy, craft-cocktail and beer outpost located on the edge of the corridor popular for relaxed evenings.
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.