Is Chevy Chase safe?
Lexington, Kentucky · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Chevy Chase as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Chevy Chase
“Go. Chevy Chase is one of Lexington's safest, most affluent, and picturesque historic neighborhoods. Violent crime is extremely rare, making it an exceptionally secure area for walking, dining, and exploring at almost any hour.”
About the area
Chevy Chase is an established, tree-shaded neighborhood just southeast of downtown Lexington and the University of Kentucky campus. It features 1920s-era bungalows, brick cottages, and a charming commercial corner packed with local eateries, boutique retail, and neighborhood taverns.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Walkable Dining Hub
- Upscale Residential
Walking and biking in Chevy Chase
Walk score: 68/100 · Bike score: 72/100
Chevy Chase features low-stress residential streets suitable for cycling, with direct access to nearby on-street bike lanes connecting to the University of Kentucky and the Town Branch Commons trail system.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than city and national benchmarks
- High median household income, strong homeownership, and well-maintained properties
- Active pedestrian presence around the Euclid and High Street commercial hub
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like unlocked vehicle break-ins
- Traffic congestion during school hours and peak commuting times on Richmond Road and Euclid Avenue
- Narrower residential side streets with limited pedestrian sidewalk lighting at night
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically nonexistent within the residential core of Chevy Chase, with no encampments or concentrated service facilities nearby.
What Chevy Chase is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, joggers, and patrons grabbing coffee or breakfast pastries.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Bustling and safe with steady shopper foot traffic, lunch patrons, and neighborhood residents.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Lively yet relaxed atmosphere around neighborhood restaurants and pubs, feeling very secure on foot.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Calm and quiet on residential streets with modest pub crowds; generally safe, though standard caution applies.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by Lextran, with Route 11 (Richmond Road) and Route 3 (Tates Creek) providing direct daytime bus connections to downtown Lexington.
Free on-street parking is widely available along residential streets, though commercial areas rely on small dedicated business lots that can fill quickly during peak dining hours.
Things to do in Chevy Chase
- Browse local boutiques, gift shops, and bakeries along the Euclid Avenue and High Street corridor
- Walk the quiet, tree-lined residential streets admiring historic 1920s and 1930s architecture
- Enjoy classic regional dishes, craft beers, and patio seating at neighborhood cafes and bistros
Local favorites
- Bourbon n' Toulouse · Cajun Restaurant · 4.8★ (1650)Laid-back, vibrant counter-service staple serving hearty Cajun and Creole dishes.
- Wheeler Pharmacy · Diner / Pharmacy · 4.7★ (380)Historic neighborhood pharmacy featuring a beloved, old-school lunch counter and soda fountain.
- Chevy Chase Inn · Bar · 4.5★ (420)Lexington's oldest continuously operating tavern, serving classic drinks in an unpretentious dive setting since 1933.
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.