Is Five Forks safe?
Burke, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Five Forks as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Five Forks
“Go. Five Forks in Burke is an exceptionally safe, quiet, and affluent suburban residential enclave in Fairfax County. There are virtually no violent crime concerns for visitors, making it an ideal, stress-free residential destination.”
About the area
Five Forks is a mature, tree-lined suburban neighborhood situated within the planned community landscape of Burke, Virginia. It features peaceful cul-de-sacs, detached single-family homes, and convenient access to regional parks and commuter rail connections.
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet Suburb
- Wooded / Green
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Five Forks
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 41/100
While commercial bike-share docks are not prevalent, the area has good access to local multi-use asphalt trails connecting into the Pohick Stream Valley and Cross County Trail networks.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Extremely low violent and property crime rates well below national and state averages
- High median household income exceeding $150,000 with exceptionally low poverty and vacancy rates
- Well-maintained infrastructure, abundant green space, and excellent public park connectivity
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent with minimal commercial amenities within direct walking distance
- Limited public transit frequency outside of peak weekday commuter hours
- Minor suburban property crimes such as occasional unlocked vehicle trespassing
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in this residential area, with social services coordinated primarily through county centers in Fairfax and Annandale.
What Five Forks is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with neighborhood joggers, dog walkers, and commuters heading out with zero safety concerns.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and residential, with pleasant tree-shaded sidewalks and children playing outside safely.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and family-oriented with residents returning home and very light neighborhood vehicular traffic.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely tranquil and dark; streets are quiet, well-lit at major intersections, and safe for walking.
Transit, parking and getting around
Transit is provided by Fairfax Connector bus routes with regional rail service available at the nearby Rolling Road or Burke Centre Virginia Railway Express (VRE) stations roughly 1.5 to 2.5 miles away.
Parking is completely free, easy, and plentiful on residential driveways, curbs, and dedicated shopping center surface lots.
Things to do in Five Forks
- Explore the nearby walking and paved running trails along the Pohick Stream Valley Park
- Spend a day fishing, disc golfing, or riding the miniature train at adjacent Burke Lake Park
- Browse local goods and produce at the seasonal Burke Farmers Market located by the VRE station
Local favorites
- Anita's New Mexico Style Mexican Food · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (1150)A beloved Northern Virginia staple known for New Mexico-style breakfast burritos and green chile dishes.
- Spartans Family Restaurant · Greek & American Diner · 4.5★ (1420)Popular local gathering spot serving hearty Greek specialties, gyros, and classic comfort diner foods.
- Rafagino · Italian Restaurant · 4.6★ (520)Cozy neighborhood Italian trattoria dishing out classic pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and wine.
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.