Is Center Hill safe?
Atlanta, Georgia · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Center Hill as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Center Hill
“Go with care. Center Hill is a quiet, historically residential Westside community that offers access to emerging green spaces, but it borders thoroughfares with elevated crime statistics. Visitors should stick to daylight hours and exercise standard urban awareness.”
Recent Atlanta Police Department Zone 1 initiatives have focused on curbing vehicle break-ins and commercial corridor property crimes along Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway.
About the area
Center Hill is a mature residential neighborhood in Northwest Atlanta characterized by rolling hills, tree-lined streets, and mid-century single-family homes. While largely removed from major tourist hubs, it offers easy proximity to Westside Park, the Proctor Creek Greenway, and ongoing West Atlanta revitalizations.
- Residential
- Hilly & Wooded
- Developing
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Center Hill
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are currently no municipal bike-share stations in Center Hill, but cyclists have convenient access to the Proctor Creek Greenway paved multi-use trail just north and east.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Immediate proximity to the Proctor Creek Greenway and the 280-acre Westside Park.
- Active neighborhood association prioritizing community preservation and park upkeep.
- Lower density and quieter residential street grid compared to dense urban core neighborhoods.
Cons
- Violent and property crime rates remain higher than national and statewide benchmarks.
- Lower median household income and pockets of older, distressed housing stock.
- Limited walkable commercial amenities, requiring travel to neighboring districts for dining and retail.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior residential streets, but occasional unhoused individuals and panhandling can be observed along the Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway transit stops and commercial plazas.
What Center Hill is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and quiet as residents start their commutes, making it comfortable for neighborhood walks and jogging along residential roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Generally tranquil throughout the interior blocks, though situational awareness is recommended around main perimeter corridors.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down quickly on residential avenues; stick to well-lit areas and avoid walking alone along commercial corridors after dark.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Walking is discouraged late at night due to poor lighting on some residential streets and elevated property crime risk.
Transit, parking and getting around
MARTA operates bus routes 51 and 58 along Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway and adjacent corridors, providing direct connections to the Bankhead and Hamilton E. Holmes rail stations located about 1.5 to 2 miles away.
Free street parking is widely available and easy to find on residential streets throughout the neighborhood, with no paid meters or parking garages required.
Things to do in Center Hill
- Spend time outdoors at Center Hill Park, featuring walking paths, sports courts, and a community pavilion.
- Walk or jog along the nearby Proctor Creek Greenway trail connecting toward the Westside Reservoir Park.
- Visit neighboring Anderson Park for open green fields, tennis courts, and historic neighborhood views.
Local favorites
- JJ Fish & Chicken · Seafood & Wings Restaurant · 3.9★ (720)Neighborhood staple serving generous platters of fried catfish, seasoned wings, and classic comfort sides.
- A&D Buffalo Style Wings · Chicken Wings Restaurant · 4.3★ (320)Counter-serve takeaway spot known for crispy buffalo wings, combo platters, and crinkle-cut fries.
- China Cafeteria · Chinese Restaurant · 4.0★ (210)Long-standing, no-frills carryout counter serving classic Chinese-American combo meals and fried rice.
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.