Is Oakhurst safe?
Decatur, Georgia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Oakhurst as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Oakhurst
“Go. Oakhurst is one of the safest and most welcoming neighborhoods in the Atlanta metropolitan area, marked by exceptionally low violent crime and active neighborhood engagement. Visitors can stroll through the village center and residential streets with ease day or evening.”
About the area
Oakhurst is a picturesque, historic neighborhood in the southwestern corner of the City of Decatur. Centered on the intimate Oakhurst Village and Harmony Park, it offers tree-canopied streets lined with Craftsman bungalows and independent eateries.
- Family-Friendly
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Village Vibe
- Community-Focused
Walking and biking in Oakhurst
Walk score: 72/100 · Bike score: 78/100
Neighborhood streets are bicycle-friendly and connect readily to the Stone Mountain Trail and PATH network running along College Avenue.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low violent crime rate supported by dedicated City of Decatur municipal police and public services.
- High median household income exceeding $140,000 with a well-maintained, high-value owner-occupied housing stock.
- Vibrant pedestrian presence around Harmony Park creating continuous natural surveillance.
- Convenient proximity to green spaces, nature centers, and community events.
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle larceny and porch package theft.
- Very quiet late-night scene with virtually no open establishments after midnight.
- Limited off-street parking options during peak weekend dining hours.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Oakhurst, with no encampments or panhandling in the village commercial district.
What Oakhurst is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and bustling with joggers, dog walkers, and families heading to local schools and bakeries.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Relaxed and welcoming with plenty of outdoor patio diners and visitors strolling through neighborhood parks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Active and very safe with vibrant dining crowds gathering around the village square until moderate hours.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet with low foot traffic, remaining safe but noticeably dark along tree-shaded side streets.
Transit, parking and getting around
MARTA heavy rail serves the area via East Lake Station on the Blue Line, situated about a 10-to-15-minute walk north of Oakhurst Village, along with connecting MARTA bus Route 19.
On-street parking is generally free and accessible on side streets, though spaces directly surrounding the village commercial strip fill quickly during peak dinner hours.
Things to do in Oakhurst
- Relax and enjoy open-air community gatherings or live acoustic performances at Harmony Park.
- Explore native plants, chickens, and nature trails at the Wylde Center Oakhurst Garden.
- Dine on pet-friendly outdoor patios throughout Oakhurst Village along East Lake Drive.
Local favorites
- The Universal Joint · Bar & Grill · 4.5★ (1450)A lively neighborhood hub set in a restored filling station offering pub fare and an open patio.
- Steinbeck's Ale House · Gastropub · 4.6★ (580)Intimate neighborhood tavern serving inventive pub grub and a curated craft beer selection.
- Mojo Pizza N Pub · Pizza Restaurant · 4.4★ (620)Laid-back community pizzeria delivering hand-tossed pies, calzones, and craft brews.
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.