Is College Park safe?
College Park, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates College Park as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on College Park
“Go with care. College Park is generally safe and active, anchored by the sprawling University of Maryland campus and a revitalized commercial strip. Visitors should remain alert late at night along Route 1 and near transit hubs where opportunistic theft and occasional robberies occur.”
Recent municipal initiatives have focused on pedestrian safety upgrades and expanded joint police patrols along the Baltimore Avenue commercial corridor.
About the area
College Park is an energetic college town blending historic residential neighborhoods with modern student living and research hubs. The area is dominated by the University of Maryland's red-brick campus, collegiate athletics, and a growing mix of dining along Baltimore Avenue.
- College Town
- Bustling Campus
- Transit-Connected
- Lively Dining
Walking and biking in College Park
Walk score: 65/100 · Bike score: 72/100
Veo shared e-bikes and e-scooters are readily available throughout town, directly connecting to the extensive Paint Branch Trail and Anacostia Tributary Trail System.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- High security presence with overlapping patrols from University of Maryland Police (UMPD) and Prince George's County Police
- Continuous economic investment bringing new mixed-use developments, dining, and public infrastructure along Route 1
- Extensive network of well-maintained emergency blue-light phones and illuminated pathways on campus grounds
Cons
- Elevated property crime rates including bicycle theft, vehicle break-ins, and off-campus apartment burglaries
- Occasional late-night muggings and street robberies near transit stops and unlit off-campus side streets
- Congested vehicular traffic and pedestrian conflict points along the multi-lane Baltimore Avenue corridor
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low, with occasional individuals seeking assistance near the College Park Metro Station and along busy Route 1 retail intersections; local services are coordinated via Prince George's County outreach.
What College Park is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are calm and safe, filled with students, faculty, and joggers navigating campus pathways and trail connections.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons are busy and secure with steady foot traffic around campus plazas and Route 1 storefronts.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings are lively around student bars and restaurants, generally safe for walking in groups along illuminated main roads.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights require heightened vigilance near closing bars and darker perimeter streets where alcohol-related incidents and opportunistic thefts peak.
Transit, parking and getting around
College Park is served by WMATA via the College Park-U of Md Metro Station (Green Line and MARC Camden Line), supported by Metrobus lines 83 and 86, TheBus, and the free Shuttle-UM campus bus system.
Public garage parking is available at the Downtown College Park Garage on Knox Road and campus visitor decks for $1.50 to $3.00 per hour, while residential side streets require strict neighborhood permits.
Things to do in College Park
- Tour the iconic McKeldin Mall and visit the historic Memorial Chapel on the University of Maryland campus
- Explore early flight history and aircraft exhibits at the College Park Aviation Museum
- Bike, run, or birdwatch along the trails surrounding nearby Lake Artemesia
Local favorites
- The Board and Brew · Board Game Cafe · 4.6★ (1250)Popular cafe and gathering spot offering craft coffee, draft beers, comfort food, and an extensive board game library.
- Marathon Deli · Greek Deli · 4.7★ (1100)Long-running campus staple celebrated for generous gyros, seasoned fries, and authentic Greek quick bites.
- The Hall CP · American Restaurant & Event Venue · 4.3★ (850)Spacious venue combining indoor and outdoor dining, craft cocktails, live entertainment, and community workspaces.
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.