Is Emory Grove safe?
Gaithersburg, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Emory Grove as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Emory Grove
“Go. Emory Grove is a quiet, historically rich residential community in Gaithersburg that experiences low violent crime levels consistent with Montgomery County suburban averages. Visitors should exercise standard situational awareness regarding parked vehicles and property security, but personal safety risks are minimal.”
Montgomery County and the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) continue long-term community master planning to revitalize Emory Grove's historic core and improve public spaces.
About the area
Emory Grove is a historic suburban enclave in Gaithersburg, originally established in the 1870s as an African American community and camp-meeting site. Today, it combines quiet residential blocks, county parks, and active neighborhood revitalization efforts just minutes from the bustling Frederick Avenue commercial corridor.
- Historic Enclave
- Suburban Residential
- Quiet
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Emory Grove
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 48/100
Capital Bikeshare docks are accessible in surrounding Gaithersburg districts, with regional connections leading toward the Muddy Branch and Rock Creek multi-use trail networks.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly below national averages and typical for suburban Montgomery County.
- Well-maintained public parks and community recreation facilities.
- Proximity to extensive Montgomery County municipal services and police coverage.
Cons
- Occasional property crimes such as vehicle break-ins and package thefts reported in the wider area.
- Pedestrian connectivity is hindered by high-speed arterial roads like Midcounty Highway on the perimeter.
- Limited commercial dining or retail options directly inside the residential core.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is essentially absent within the residential neighborhood, with occasional individuals panhandling along the major retail intersections of North Frederick Avenue (MD-355).
What Emory Grove is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with commuters departing and residents walking dogs around neighborhood streets and parks.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Low-key suburban atmosphere with families and recreational users at Emory Grove Local Park.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential winding down; streets are generally safe to walk though lighting varies by block.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and deserted late at night, with minimal activity and low crime risk outside of potential opportunistic auto theft.
Transit, parking and getting around
Montgomery County Ride On bus routes (including Routes 60 and 61) operate along perimeter roads, offering connections to the Gaithersburg MARC Station and the Shady Grove Metro Station (Red Line), located about 2 miles away.
Street parking is free and readily available throughout residential lanes, and free parking is available at Emory Grove Local Park.
Things to do in Emory Grove
- Enjoy outdoor sports and recreation at Emory Grove Local Park.
- View the historic Emory Grove United Methodist Church and explore the community's historic markers.
- Take a short walk into the neighboring historic town of Washington Grove to explore its unique pedestrian avenues.
Local favorites
- El Andariego · Salvadoran & Mexican Restaurant · 4.4★ (1150)Popular neighborhood spot serving authentic pupusas, fajitas, and margaritas.
- Sardi's Pollo A La Brasa · Peruvian Chicken Restaurant · 4.4★ (2680)Local institution known for charcoal-broiled Peruvian rotisserie chicken and traditional sides.
- Tacos Barbon · Mexican Taqueria · 4.6★ (380)Laid-back eatery serving authentic street tacos, quesabirria, and fresh salsas.
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.