Is Fairknoll safe?
Colesville, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Fairknoll as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Fairknoll
“Go. Fairknoll is a peaceful, established suburban neighborhood in Colesville with very low rates of violent crime and a high standard of living. It is a completely safe area for visitors staying with family or seeking a quiet home base, though you will need a personal vehicle to get around efficiently.”
About the area
Fairknoll is a quintessential Montgomery County residential community featuring mid-century and later single-family homes set on generous, tree-shaded lots. Located just east of New Hampshire Avenue in Colesville, the neighborhood is peaceful, family-oriented, and strictly residential.
- Suburban / Quiet
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Fairknoll
Walk score: 22/100 · Bike score: 32/100
There are no dedicated on-street bike lanes within the subdivision, but recreational cyclists can access multi-use paths in the adjacent Northwest Branch park system; Capital Bikeshare is not present.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than both national and regional benchmarks.
- Strong socioeconomic stability with high homeownership rates and household incomes above the county median.
- Proximity to regional outdoor spaces like Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park.
Cons
- Lacks commercial venues within the neighborhood, requiring a vehicle for everyday errands.
- Occasional suburban property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins.
- Limited street lighting along interior cul-de-sacs after dark.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Fairknoll, with county support services and shelters located further south in downtown Silver Spring and Wheaton.
What Fairknoll is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents walking dogs and joggers heading toward nearby park trailheads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet suburban atmosphere with occasional delivery vehicles and light local traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and safe as commuters return home and families walk the residential loops.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Completely quiet and dark with minimal street activity, maintaining a secure though secluded environment.
Transit, parking and getting around
Montgomery County Ride On buses run along nearby corridors like New Hampshire Avenue, providing feeder connections to the Glenmont Metrorail Station (Red Line) approximately 4 miles away.
Driveway and street parking are free, abundant, and unrestricted throughout the entire neighborhood.
Things to do in Fairknoll
- Hike, jog, or birdwatch along the nearby Northwest Branch Stream Valley Trail.
- Enjoy playgrounds, open turf fields, and tennis courts at nearby Cloverly Local Park.
- Shop for native plants and garden supplies at Colesville Nursery.
Local favorites
- Silvestre Chicken · Peruvian Restaurant · 4.3★ (560)Popular local eatery serving charcoal-broiled Peruvian rotisserie chicken, plantains, and traditional sides.
- Mayflower Chinese Restaurant · Chinese Restaurant · 4.1★ (330)Longstanding neighborhood staple serving classic Chinese-American dishes and take-out favorites in Colesville Center.
- Cloverly Cafe · Cafe & Deli · 4.6★ (290)Cozy breakfast and lunch spot offering specialty coffee, sandwiches, and fresh pastries a short drive north.
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.