Is Essington safe?
Bowie, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Essington as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Essington
“Go. Essington is an established, quiet residential enclave within Bowie's master-planned Levitt community, offering high safety and low crime. While it has very little commercial activity within its borders, it is exceptionally secure and welcoming for visitors.”
About the area
Essington is a peaceful single-family residential neighborhood characterized by well-kept lawns, mature trees, and winding suburban streets. Situated in Bowie, Maryland, it provides a quiet home base within driving distance of Annapolis, Washington, D.C., and regional shopping hubs.
- Quiet Residential
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined Suburb
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Essington
Walk score: 22/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are no public bikeshare stations in the area, but neighborhood streets are low-stress for cycling and connect via local roads to the WB&A Multi-Use Trail.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly below regional and national averages.
- High rate of homeownership and solid household incomes fostering neighborhood stability.
- Quiet, low-traffic residential streets ideal for quiet walks and runs.
- Close proximity to regional parks, historic estates, and athletic complexes.
Cons
- Entirely car-dependent with virtually no dining or shopping within walking distance.
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as theft from unlocked vehicles.
- Limited public transit connectivity without relying on a personal vehicle.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Essington, and there are no encampments or panhandling in the neighborhood.
What Essington is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents walking dogs, jogging, and heading out on morning commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with light neighborhood vehicle traffic and well-manicured surroundings.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Subdued suburban atmosphere with residents relaxing in yards; very safe for evening strolls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and dark with virtually no pedestrian activity, maintaining a safe and peaceful environment.
Transit, parking and getting around
Transit in Bowie is serviced by Prince George's County TheBus and select WMATA Metrobus routes on major arterials like MD-450 and MD-197. The nearest commuter rail is the Bowie State MARC Station about a 10-minute drive away, while the New Carrollton Metro Station is roughly 15 minutes by car.
Parking is exceptionally easy, with free and unrestricted street parking alongside private residential driveways throughout the neighborhood.
Things to do in Essington
- Take a walk or relax at the nearby Buckingham Park and surrounding green spaces.
- Tour the historic Belair Mansion and Belair Stable Museum located just minutes away.
- Catch a Bowie Baysox minor league baseball game at Prince George's Stadium nearby.
Local favorites
- Rip's Country Inn · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (2150)Longtime local staple serving homestyle American comfort food, seafood, and baked goods.
- Jerry's Seafood · Seafood Restaurant · 4.5★ (1420)Celebrated regional restaurant famous for its signature all-jumbo-lump Crab Bomb.
- Old Bowie Town Grille · Bar & Grill · 4.4★ (1130)Casual eatery in nearby historic Bowie offering burgers, drafts, and regular live music.
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.