Is Chatham safe?
College Park, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Chatham as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Chatham
“Go. Chatham is a peaceful, established residential enclave in northern College Park that is very safe for visitors. Violent crime is uncommon, and the neighborhood offers a tranquil suburban atmosphere close to regional trail systems and university amenities.”
About the area
Chatham is a quiet, tree-canopied residential neighborhood in North College Park featuring mid-century single-family homes and well-tended yards. It borders the historic Rhode Island Avenue corridor and offers quick access to the University of Maryland and regional transit links while maintaining a secluded neighborhood feel.
- Suburban Quiet
- Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Residential
Walking and biking in Chatham
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 74/100
Direct access to the Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail and Anacostia Tributary Trail System, with Capital Bikeshare docking stations positioned along Rhode Island Avenue.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rate than Prince George's County and national averages
- High homeownership rate and stable, well-maintained housing stock
- Direct proximity to the Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail and Paint Branch greenway
- Strong median household income above $100,000 with very low neighborhood poverty
Cons
- Susceptible to occasional opportunistic property crimes such as vehicle break-ins and package theft
- Entirely residential with minimal retail or dining within the immediate tract borders
- Street lighting can be sparse on some interior residential cut-throughs
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within the residential streets of Chatham, though occasional unhoused individuals may be seen along the commercial stretches of Route 1 (Baltimore Avenue).
What Chatham is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant with residents walking dogs, jogging, and commuting toward the Metro.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet, sunlit residential streets with minimal vehicle traffic and a very safe environment for walking.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm neighborhood setting where residents walk before dark; safety remains high.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic and quiet streets; while safe from violent crime, standard personal safety awareness is recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Served by Prince George's County TheBus Route 17 and WMATA Metrobus routes 83 and 86 along Rhode Island and Baltimore Avenues, with the Greenbelt Metro Station (Green Line and MARC Camden Line) located about 1.5 miles north.
Curbside residential street parking is free and readily available throughout the neighborhood, though visitors should observe occasional residential permit restrictions near major corridors.
Things to do in Chatham
- Walk, run, or cycle along the paved Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail connecting North College Park to Hyattsville
- Attend community events, youth games, or exercise at nearby Duvall Field
- Visit the nearby College Park Aviation Museum and historic airfield just a short drive south
Local favorites
- Proteus Bicycles & Proteus Brews · Bicycle Shop & Cafe · 4.8★ (385)Popular local bike shop and community gathering hub serving specialty espresso drinks and cyclist gear.
- MOM's Organic Market · Grocery Store · 4.6★ (620)Regional organic grocer providing sustainable produce, bulk foods, and eco-friendly home goods.
- Hollywood Farmers Market · Farmers Market · 4.7★ (115)Seasonal weekend market featuring local Maryland farm produce, baked goods, and artisan crafts.
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.