Is College Heights safe?
College Park, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates College Heights as “Go”.
Gogo's take on College Heights
“Go. College Heights is a quiet, leafy residential enclave directly adjacent to the University of Maryland campus that is generally very safe for visitors. While you should exercise standard situational awareness regarding opportunistic property crime near major student corridors, violent crime is rare.”
About the area
College Heights is an established, picturesque neighborhood featuring historic mid-century and colonial homes with mature tree canopy. Its proximity to the university makes it popular among faculty, researchers, and graduate students, offering a peaceful residential retreat right next to bustling campus amenities.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- University-Adjacent
- Quiet & Residential
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in College Heights
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 74/100
The area features excellent cycling connectivity via dedicated bike lanes and seamless access to the Northeast Branch Trail, with multiple Capital Bikeshare and Veo micromobility stations located on perimeter roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates than regional metro averages
- High household incomes and strong homeownership stability with negligible housing vacancy
- Active patrols by both Prince George's County Police and nearby University of Maryland Police
- Direct pedestrian and bike access to the UMD campus and the Anacostia River trail network
Cons
- Occasional vehicle break-ins and package thefts typical of college-adjacent neighborhoods
- Heavy student and commuter traffic on perimeter thoroughfares during peak hours
- Sparse commercial activity within the residential core, requiring trips out to Route 1
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within the residential interior of College Heights, though occasional panhandling occurs along the commercial strips of Route 1 (Baltimore Avenue).
What College Heights is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, joggers, and university staff commuting on foot or bike with negligible safety concern.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and pleasant with light neighborhood traffic and safe conditions throughout the residential grid.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential setting where residents walk after dark; well-lit streets ensure a comfortable environment.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Subdued and generally safe, though pedestrians should stick to well-lit paths and remain aware of isolated property theft risks.
Transit, parking and getting around
Transit is provided by WMATA and the UMD Shuttle-UM system. The College Park-UMD Metro Station (Green/Yellow Lines, MARC Camden Line) is roughly a 20-minute walk or short bus ride away, supplemented by Metrobus route 83 along Route 1.
Residential street parking is readily available, though some blocks require residential parking permits during school sessions. Commercial parking garages and metered lots are accessible along Route 1 and on campus for $3 to $5 per hour.
Things to do in College Heights
- Stroll along the historic, tree-lined residential streets to admire distinct 1930s-1950s architecture
- Connect directly to the Northeast Branch Trail for scenic walks and running
- Walk across Campus Drive to explore the University of Maryland's arboretum and campus mall
Local favorites
- The Board and Brew · Cafe & Board Game Lounge · 4.6★ (1250)Popular nearby spot featuring hundreds of board games, specialty espresso, craft beer, and casual eats.
- Vigilante Coffee Company · Coffee Roaster & Cafe · 4.7★ (1100)Renowned local micro-roastery serving artisanal pour-overs, acai bowls, and fresh pastries nearby.
- Busboys and Poets · American Restaurant & Bookstore · 4.5★ (3400)Vibrant community hub offering diverse comfort food, cocktails, and a curated bookstore in nearby Hyattsville.
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.