Is Fivemile safe?
Elkview, West Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Fivemile as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Fivemile
“Go. Fivemile is a quiet, rural Appalachian hollow community in Elkview where visitors face very little threat of violent crime. The primary challenges are narrow, unlit mountain roads and complete car dependency rather than personal safety concerns.”
About the area
Fivemile is a scenic, residential rural hollow nestled in the hills of northern Kanawha County along Fivemile Creek. The area features spacious wooded lots, single-family homes, and a peaceful, slow-paced atmosphere just minutes from the Elk River.
- Rural Hollow
- Quiet & Wooded
- Car-Dependent
- Tight-Knit
Walking and biking in Fivemile
Walk score: 8/100 · Bike score: 14/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes, greenways, or bike-share programs in the area, and narrow curvy roads with blind turns make road cycling hazardous.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low rates of violent crime and low neighborhood disturbance
- High rate of homeownership with established, long-term residents
- Peaceful, quiet natural scenery with immediate access to Appalachian woodland settings
Cons
- Narrow, winding roads with limited shoulders, steep grades, and poor nighttime visibility
- Complete lack of commercial amenities within walking distance
- Prone to localized flash flooding along low-lying creek beds during severe storms
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in the Fivemile area, with social services and shelters located further south in urban Charleston.
What Fivemile is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with mist over the creek and light commuter traffic heading toward US-119.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet with minimal road activity and high general safety across the hollow.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and residential as residents return home, though roads darken quickly without street lighting.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-black and tranquil; extremely safe from street crime, though wildlife and dark roads require caution.
Transit, parking and getting around
Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority (KRT) operates limited bus service along the US-119 corridor in Elkview (Route 21), but no direct transit penetrates the Fivemile hollow, necessitating private vehicles.
Ample free private driveway and property parking is standard across the area; street parking is minimal and not recommended due to narrow roadways.
Things to do in Fivemile
- Enjoy kayaking, canoeing, or fishing along the nearby Elk River Water Trail
- Explore the scenic country driving routes winding through Kanawha County hollows
- Visit nearby Coonskin Park in Mink Shoals for hiking trails, disc golf, and picnic shelters
Local favorites
- Tudor's Biscuit World (Elkview) · Breakfast Restaurant · 4.3★ (680)Beloved West Virginia chain serving hearty homemade biscuit sandwiches and breakfast platters.
- Gino's Pizza & Spaghetti House (Elkview) · Pizza Restaurant · 4.1★ (320)Regional favorite offering classic pub pizzas, baked subs, and pasta dishes.
- Elk River Bar & Grill · American Restaurant & Bar · 4.4★ (190)Casual local riverside spot serving burgers, cold beer, and comfort fare.
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.