Is Forest Heights safe?
Oxon Hill, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Forest Heights as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Forest Heights
“Go with care. Forest Heights is a modest, primarily residential enclave just across the D.C. border that is relatively calm during daytime hours. Visitors should stay aware of their surroundings along main commercial corridors and avoid walking alone after dark due to above-average property crime and vehicle theft rates.”
Traffic enforcement and safety upgrades have been a major focus along the adjacent MD-210 corridor to address reckless driving and collision rates.
About the area
Forest Heights is an incorporated, close-in suburb in Prince George's County situated between Southeast Washington, D.C., and National Harbor. It features quiet, tree-lined residential streets with mid-century brick homes alongside busier commercial strips along Indian Head Highway.
- Quiet Residential
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Forest Heights
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 38/100
Bike-share options are scarce in the immediate municipality, but the nearby Oxon Run Trail provides multi-use paved path connections into D.C.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Established residential core with a high rate of long-term homeownership
- Direct proximity to major regional attractions including National Harbor and Tanger Outlets
- Active municipal police department dedicated to local town patrols
Cons
- Property crime and vehicle theft rates are higher than the national average
- Pedestrian infrastructure along arterial borders like MD-210 is hazardous
- Commercial strips on the periphery experience sporadic retail theft and late-night disturbances
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low within the interior residential blocks of Forest Heights, with occasional individuals seeking assistance near major intersections along MD-210 and shopping center plazas.
What Forest Heights is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with commuters heading out; walking residential streets is generally safe.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm neighborhood feel with steady local traffic along the perimeter commercial routes.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down quickly in residential zones, though strip mall parking lots remain busy and require basic awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets become very quiet; visitors should avoid walking alone and ensure vehicles are securely parked.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by WMATA (Metrobus) and Prince George's County TheBus, with routes connecting directly to the Southern Avenue Metro Station (Green Line), approximately 2 miles north.
Residential street parking is generally free and accessible, while local shopping centers offer ample free surface parking lots.
Things to do in Forest Heights
- Relax or walk your dog at Forest Heights Municipal Park
- Shop and dine at nearby Oxon Hill shopping plazas along Indian Head Highway
- Explore the nearby Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm historical site
Local favorites
- Topolino · Italian Restaurant · 4.2★ (1150)Longstanding local staple serving classic Italian-American entrees, pasta, and pizza.
- Sardi's Pollo a la Brasa · Peruvian Restaurant · 4.3★ (2300)Popular counter-service spot known for flavorful Peruvian rotisserie chicken and hearty sides.
- Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.1★ (380)Casual outpost providing Jamaican patties, jerk chicken, and traditional Caribbean stews.
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.