Is Chillum Heights safe?
Hyattsville, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Chillum Heights as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Chillum Heights
“Go with care. Chillum Heights is primarily a quiet, working-class residential neighborhood situated right on the Prince George's County and Washington, D.C. border. While daytime visits to residential streets and local green spaces are generally peaceful, visitors should exercise standard urban precautions, especially around commercial strips and bus transit hubs after dark.”
Prince George's County police have maintained increased patrols along the Riggs Road and Eastern Avenue corridors to address recurring regional spikes in auto thefts and property crime.
About the area
Chillum Heights is an established residential enclave featuring mid-century brick homes, garden apartments, and immediate access to both Northeast D.C. and Hyattsville. The community has a distinct multicultural atmosphere, with diverse local eateries and convenient suburban transit links.
- Suburban / Residential
- Diverse Community
- Border Neighborhood
- Car-Convenient
Walking and biking in Chillum Heights
Walk score: 62/100 · Bike score: 54/100
Capital Bikeshare docks are available near the nearby Metrorail stations, providing direct connections to the Sligo Creek Trail and Anacostia River Trail systems.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Relatively tranquil, tree-lined residential streets with established homeownership
- Close proximity to West Hyattsville Metro and major D.C. transit corridors
- Rich variety of authentic Central American and international specialty food markets nearby
Cons
- Higher rates of vehicle break-ins and opportunistic property theft compared to state averages
- Border commercial corridors experience periodic late-night loitering and street disturbances
- Limited walkable sit-down dining and entertainment directly within the residential core
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential neighborhood streets, though occasional panhandling and unhoused individuals are seen near major shopping plazas and transit stops on Riggs Road.
What Chillum Heights is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are calm and orderly as neighborhood residents commute and school buses circulate through residential blocks.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons are generally pleasant with moderate neighborhood foot traffic and active commercial plazas nearby.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings are quiet on residential streets, though heightened awareness is recommended near major transit stops and retail strip centers.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late-night foot traffic is minimal and generally discouraged due to diminished lighting and risks of opportunistic crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
Transit service is provided by WMATA Metrobus and Prince George's County TheBus lines, connecting riders quickly to the West Hyattsville (Green Line) and Fort Totten (Red/Green Line) Metro stations located 1.5 to 2 miles away.
Street parking is widely available and typically unrestricted on residential blocks, while nearby shopping centers offer free surface parking lots.
Things to do in Chillum Heights
- Enjoy the open green space, sports courts, and playground at Chillum Community Park
- Sample authentic pupusas and Latin American groceries along nearby Riggs Road
- Take a short drive to the Gateway Arts District in nearby downtown Hyattsville for galleries and craft breweries
Local favorites
- Pupuseria La Familiar · Salvadoran Restaurant · 4.4★ (1150)Popular local spot serving authentic handmade pupusas, tamales, and traditional Salvadoran comfort dishes.
- Taqueria Tres Reyes · Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (430)Unpretentious counter-serve eatery known for generous portions of authentic tacos, tortas, and burritos.
- Mega Mart Chillum · Supermarket · 4.1★ (1280)Bustling international supermarket featuring fresh produce, specialty Latin imports, and an in-house bakery.
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.