Is George Mason safe?
Fairfax, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates George Mason as “Go”.
Gogo's take on George Mason
“Go. George Mason is an exceptionally safe suburban and collegiate area in Fairfax County with very low violent crime and active security patrols. Standard personal awareness is all that is needed, mainly regarding unattended belongings in public facilities or navigating busy vehicular thoroughfares like Braddock Road.”
About the area
Centering around the main campus of George Mason University and peaceful surrounding residential subdivisions, this area offers a mix of collegiate vitality and Northern Virginia suburban quietude. Visitors primarily come for cultural events, collegiate athletics, or academic conferences set within expansive, well-kept grounds.
- Collegiate
- Suburban
- Safe & Quiet
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in George Mason
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 58/100
The neighborhood features dedicated campus bike lanes and rental stations, with easy links to the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail system.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are remarkably low, ranking among the safest suburban university districts in the nation.
- Backed by Fairfax County's high median household income, low poverty, and exceptionally well-funded public services.
- Dual police coverage from both the George Mason University Police Department and Fairfax County Police.
- Extensive network of well-lit pathways, emergency call stations, and clean campus infrastructure.
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property theft, including unattended electronics, bicycles, and car break-ins in parking lots.
- High-speed arterial roadways like Route 123 (Ox Road) and Braddock Road can be hazardous for pedestrians.
- Limited independent retail and dining options directly in the neighborhood without driving into central Fairfax City.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in this neighborhood, with no encampments or panhandling around campus facilities or residential areas.
What George Mason is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Vibrant and very safe as students, faculty, and resident joggers move along illuminated paths and neighborhood streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy and secure across academic quads, libraries, and parking facilities with frequent campus shuttle circulation.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and safe, with event traffic around performance venues and well-monitored campus grounds.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and generally empty outside residence halls; safe to walk, supported by university blue-light emergency poles.
Transit, parking and getting around
Fairfax Connector buses and free Mason Shuttles serve the area, connecting directly to the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metrorail Station (Orange Line) located about 4 miles north.
Ample parking is available in multi-level campus garages such as the Mason Pond and Rappahannock River decks ($3-$5 per hour), while adjacent residential streets often require county permit decals.
Things to do in George Mason
- Attend a concert, dance performance, or symphony at the GMU Center for the Arts.
- Watch a Division I college basketball game or touring performance at EagleBank Arena.
- Stroll around Mason Pond and explore the manicured campus grounds and arboretum.
Local favorites
- EagleBank Arena · Arena · 4.5★ (3200)Major 10,000-seat multi-purpose university arena hosting GMU Patriots basketball games, concerts, and touring shows.
- Center for the Arts · Performing Arts Theater · 4.7★ (680)Premier cultural venue presenting world-class orchestral, theater, and global dance performances.
- The Rathskeller · American Restaurant · 4.2★ (150)Long-running campus hangout in the Student Union Building serving classic pub food, burgers, and beer.
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.