Is Centercrest safe?
Birmingham, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Centercrest as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Centercrest
“Go with care. Centercrest is primarily a working-class residential neighborhood with very little commercial or tourist activity. While the interior residential streets are relatively calm during daylight hours, visitors should remain cautious, particularly around commercial corridors and after dark.”
About the area
Centercrest is a mid-century residential neighborhood located in northeastern Birmingham, bordering Center Point. It is largely characterized by modest single-family ranch homes, mature trees, and car-oriented suburban street layouts. Outside of residential life and proximity to regional thoroughfares, there are few visitor-oriented attractions within the neighborhood boundaries.
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet Residential
- Suburban
- Working-Class
Walking and biking in Centercrest
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 24/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes, greenways, or bike-share hubs in Centercrest, making cycling difficult and confined to low-speed residential streets.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Primarily residential enclave with higher homeownership stability than inner-city Birmingham neighborhoods
- Lower concentration of violent street crime compared to Birmingham's central core
- Convenient driving access to Interstate 59 and retail corridors along Center Point Parkway
Cons
- Elevated property crime rates, including vehicle theft and break-ins, relative to national suburban averages
- Below-average median household income and limited public amenity investment
- Complete lack of pedestrian infrastructure such as connected sidewalks and crosswalks
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low within the interior residential streets of Centercrest, though occasional panhandling occurs near major commercial intersections and bus stops along Center Point Parkway.
What Centercrest is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and quiet with regular commuter traffic; residential streets feel safe for short neighborhood walks.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Generally tranquil throughout residential roads, though nearby commercial corridors become busy.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity drops off sharply at dusk; walking along dimly lit streets requires elevated situational awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are largely deserted; walking after midnight is not recommended due to limited visibility and risk of property crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by MAX Transit (BJCTA), with limited fixed-route bus service (Route 25) operating along Center Point Parkway and US-11; frequency is sparse and a car is essential for getting around.
Parking is ample and free throughout Centercrest, consisting of private residential driveways and unrestricted on-street curbside parking.
Things to do in Centercrest
- Visit the nearby Don Hawkins Recreation Center and Roebuck Golf Course just south of the neighborhood
- Take a short drive north to hike the trails at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve
- Explore local comfort food spots along the Center Point Parkway corridor
Local favorites
- Jake's Soul Food Cafe · Southern / Soul Food · 4.3★ (680)Beloved local establishment serving hearty portions of oxtails, fried chicken, and traditional Southern sides.
- Taqueria Juarez · Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (210)Casual, authentic taco spot known for flavorful street tacos, tortas, and fresh salsas.
- Wings Plus · Fast Casual / Wings · 4.1★ (340)Neighborhood staple offering a variety of seasoned wings, Philly cheesesteaks, and combo platters.
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.