Is Fairland Heights safe?
Colesville, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Fairland Heights as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Fairland Heights
“Go. Fairland Heights is a peaceful, established suburban neighborhood characterized by single-family homes and quiet residential streets. Violent crime is rare, making it generally very safe for visitors during normal daytime and evening hours. As with many outer suburban communities near major thoroughfares, routine precautions against vehicle break-ins are all that is typically required.”
About the area
Fairland Heights is a tranquil residential enclave situated between Colesville and Fairland in eastern Montgomery County. It features mature tree canopy, well-kept yards, and direct access to major regional parkland and commuter corridors like Route 29.
- Suburban / Quiet
- Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Fairland Heights
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 34/100
There is no local docked bike-share system, but cyclists have easy access to the multi-use paved and natural surface trails running through Fairland Regional Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to national benchmarks and urban hubs
- High homeownership rate and stable, well-maintained housing stock
- Strong median household incomes well above national averages
- Immediate access to regional parks and extensive outdoor recreation
Cons
- Car break-ins and property-related thefts occur periodically along nearby commercial fringes
- Limited street lighting and sidewalks on several interior residential loops
- Heavily reliant on personal vehicles with limited commercial activity inside neighborhood borders
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within Fairland Heights, though occasional panhandling can be observed around major shopping strip malls along US-29.
What Fairland Heights is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Crisp and quiet with residents jogging, walking dogs, and commuting without safety concerns.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and peaceful with minimal vehicle traffic and safe neighborhood streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential atmosphere; pleasant for neighborhood strolls before dark.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic and quiet; generally safe, though dim lighting makes situational awareness advisable.
Transit, parking and getting around
Montgomery County Ride On buses (such as Routes 10 and 39) operate along major peripheral roads, connecting riders to the Silver Spring or Glenmont Metro stations on the Red Line, which are roughly a 15-to-20-minute drive or bus ride away.
Residential street parking and private driveways are ample and free throughout the neighborhood, with no metered zones or parking garages.
Things to do in Fairland Heights
- Hike and bike the scenic wooded trails at nearby Fairland Regional Park
- Play a round of golf or practice on the driving range at Northwest Golf Course
- Enjoy outdoor picnics and sports courts at Pilgrim Hills Local Park
Local favorites
- Cuba de Ayer · Cuban Restaurant · 4.6★ (890)A beloved local gem serving authentic Cuban classics like ropa vieja and lechon asado.
- Full Key Restaurant · Chinese Restaurant · 4.2★ (750)Popular neighborhood spot known for traditional Hong Kong-style barbecue and noodle soups.
- Cloverly Beer & Wine · Beverage Store · 4.4★ (110)Convenient, well-stocked local retailer offering craft beers, international wines, and spirits.
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.