Is Chevy Chase / Barnaby Woods safe?
Washington, Washington, D.C. · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Chevy Chase / Barnaby Woods as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Chevy Chase / Barnaby Woods
“Go. Chevy Chase and Barnaby Woods comprise one of the most affluent, tranquil, and exceptionally safe residential areas in the District of Columbia. Visitors can explore the charming Connecticut Avenue commercial strip or the quiet border of Rock Creek Park with virtually no safety concerns, exercising only basic urban vigilance.”
About the area
Tucked in the northwestern corner of Washington, D.C., Chevy Chase and Barnaby Woods are characterized by stately historic homes, canopy-lined streets, and proximity to Rock Creek Park. The neighborhood features a relaxed suburban feel with a small, village-like corridor of independent shops, bakeries, and classic neighborhood eateries along Connecticut Avenue NW.
- Affluent Residential
- Tree-Lined / Historic
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet & Peaceful
Walking and biking in Chevy Chase / Barnaby Woods
Walk score: 62/100 · Bike score: 58/100
Capital Bikeshare docks are located near Connecticut Avenue NW, offering convenient connections into the Rock Creek Park multi-use trail system.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- One of the lowest violent and property crime rates anywhere in Washington, D.C.
- Extremely strong socioeconomic profile with median household income well over $200,000 and high homeownership
- Direct, scenic access to Rock Creek Park trails and nature centers
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like unlocked vehicle break-ins or package thefts
- Limited rail transit access within the interior of Barnaby Woods
- Quiet residential streets lack significant late-night foot traffic and lighting
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically nonexistent in Barnaby Woods and Chevy Chase, with virtually no encampments or panhandling present in the neighborhood.
What Chevy Chase / Barnaby Woods is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and busy with dog walkers, joggers, and families walking to nearby schools in an extremely safe environment.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and residential with pleasant pedestrian activity near local cafes and along Connecticut Avenue.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and comfortable, with neighbors strolling to dinner along the commercial strip and well-lit residential avenues.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic and entirely serene, remaining exceptionally safe despite dark, tree-covered side streets.
Transit, parking and getting around
WMATA Metrorail access is available via Friendship Heights (Red Line), roughly a 15-to-25 minute walk west depending on your location, while WMATA Metrobus routes L2 and E4 provide direct service along Connecticut Avenue and McKinley Street.
Street parking is widely available and typically unrestricted or subject to simple two-hour residential permits on side streets, with metered street parking along Connecticut Avenue.
Things to do in Chevy Chase / Barnaby Woods
- Catch an indie or foreign film at the historic Avalon Theatre on Connecticut Avenue
- Explore the forested hiking and walking paths that lead directly into Rock Creek Park
- Browse local bestsellers and gifts at the neighborhood staple, Politics and Prose bookstore, located just south
Local favorites
- The Avalon Theatre · Movie Theater · 4.8★ (1150)Historic non-profit community cinema screening independent, foreign, and classic films.
- Bread & Chocolate · Bakery / Cafe · 4.4★ (320)Beloved neighborhood bakery serving classic European-style pastries, quiches, and coffee.
- Macon Bistro & Larder · French-Southern Restaurant · 4.5★ (510)Charming neighborhood bistro pairing French culinary traditions with Southern comfort cuisine.
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.