Is Five Points safe?
Raleigh, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Five Points as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Five Points
“Go. Five Points is one of Raleigh's most charming and safe historic neighborhoods, offering a relaxed village atmosphere just north of downtown. Visitors can comfortably explore its independent shops, historic theater, and neighborhood restaurants at almost any hour.”
About the area
Centering on the five-way intersection of Glenwood Avenue, Fairview Road, and Whitaker Mill Road, Five Points is a historic, affluent enclave characterized by tree-lined streets and 1920s bungalow architecture. It features a cozy commercial hub with boutique dining, bakeries, and local retail bordered by quiet residential lanes.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Village Vibe
- Dining Hub
Walking and biking in Five Points
Walk score: 64/100 · Bike score: 58/100
There are no dedicated Cardinal Bikeshare stations directly in Five Points, but cyclists can connect to the Capital Area Greenway System via Crabtree Creek Trail just north of the area.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are exceptionally low compared to city and national averages.
- Very high median household income and high rates of homeownership foster well-maintained properties.
- Pleasant, walkable commercial district surrounded by safe, picturesque residential streets.
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like unlocked vehicle break-ins occur along busy corridors.
- Heavy vehicular traffic and complex pedestrian crossings at the central five-way intersection.
- Limited late-night commercial activity leaves commercial sidewalks quiet after midnight.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in Five Points, with no encampments or panhandling hot spots in the neighborhood.
What Five Points is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with locals walking dogs, jogging, and picking up morning coffee.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Pleasantly busy with shoppers, brunch crowds, and neighborhood foot traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Lively around the core restaurants and theater with a safe, relaxed social scene.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and largely deserted as dining spots close, remaining very safe with minimal incident.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by GoRaleigh, primarily via Route 2 along Glenwood Avenue providing direct access to downtown Raleigh; there is no local passenger rail service.
Free on-street parking is readily available along side residential streets and designated commercial stalls, though spots directly adjacent to the main intersection can fill during peak dinner hours.
Things to do in Five Points
- Catch an indie movie, live show, or screening at the historic Rialto Theatre.
- Browse local gifts, specialty pantry items, and Southern fare at NOFO @ the Pig.
- Stroll through the adjoining historic Hayes Barton neighborhood to view preserved 1920s architecture.
Local favorites
- NOFO @ the Pig · Southern Restaurant & Gift Shop · 4.5★ (1150)A neighborhood staple housed in a former grocery store serving Southern comfort dishes with an eclectic upstairs boutique.
- The Rialto Theatre · Historic Movie Theater · 4.7★ (680)An iconic 1940s cinema and performance venue hosting classic films, indie screenings, and community events.
- Hayes Barton Pharmacy · Diner & Soda Fountain · 4.6★ (890)A nostalgic retro diner famous for its classic soda fountain lunches and massive dessert cakes.
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.