Is Franklin safe?
Vienna, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Franklin as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Franklin
“Go. Franklin in Vienna is an exceptionally safe, affluent suburban community characterized by quiet residential streets, well-kept single-family homes, and negligible violent crime. Visitors will find a peaceful residential environment located just minutes from the dining and retail hubs of Vienna and Tysons. Standard precautions like locking parked vehicles are sufficient.”
About the area
Franklin is a tranquil, leafy residential enclave located in the Vienna area of Fairfax County, Virginia. It features spacious homes, mature trees, and excellent access to regional amenities and top-tier parks. While largely residential and car-oriented, it offers a secure, welcoming base for exploring Northern Virginia and the DC metro area.
- Suburban / Peaceful
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Franklin
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 48/100
While neighborhood streets generally lack dedicated bike lanes, low traffic speeds make cycling easy, providing direct access to the 45-mile paved Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low rates of violent and property crime well below state and national averages
- Affluent economic profile with high median household incomes and strong homeownership rates
- Close proximity to premier parks, quality schools, and regional multi-use trails
Cons
- Car-dependent layout with sparse commercial venues within immediate walking distance
- Occasional opportunistic thefts from unlocked vehicles reported in suburban Fairfax County
- Limited direct public transit options inside the interior residential blocks
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in this residential neighborhood, with community social services and shelters located in broader Fairfax County urban centers.
What Franklin is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents jogging, walking dogs, and departing on morning commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet and safe with minimal traffic on interior residential roadways.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm atmosphere with neighbors strolling and well-lit residential properties.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and dark with virtually no pedestrian foot traffic and minimal safety concerns.
Transit, parking and getting around
Fairfax Connector buses run along major nearby corridors like Route 123 (Maple Avenue), connecting riders to the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metrorail station (Orange Line) approximately 5 to 10 minutes away by car or bus.
Street parking is free and widely available on residential streets, and commercial areas in Vienna provide ample free surface parking lots.
Things to do in Franklin
- Bike, run, or walk along the nearby Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad Regional Park trail
- Explore the extensive floral displays and walking paths at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
- Tour local heritage exhibits and shop for artisan goods at the Freeman Store and Museum in historic Vienna
Local favorites
- The Vienna Inn · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (2150)Long-running local landmark known for chili dogs, comfort food, and a classic neighborhood tavern atmosphere.
- Bazin's on Church · Contemporary American Restaurant · 4.6★ (680)Upscale bistro offering seasonal American cuisine and an extensive wine list in a cozy brick setting.
- Caboose Tavern · Brewpub · 4.5★ (1420)Lively brewery directly off the W&OD trail serving craft beers and farm-to-table gastropub bites.
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.