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Is Grace safe?

Asheville, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly

87out of 100

Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.

VibeLoco rates Grace as “Go”.

Gogo's take on Grace

“Go. Grace is one of the safest and most stable residential pockets in North Asheville, offering visitors a peaceful environment with easy access to neighborhood dining and scenic lakefront walking. You can explore with confidence at virtually any hour with standard personal awareness.”

The Merrimon Avenue road diet and safety improvement project added dedicated bike lanes, turn lanes, and improved crosswalks, significantly calming traffic through the neighborhood corridor.

About the area

Grace is an established, tree-lined neighborhood in North Asheville centered around the historic Grace Episcopal Church and the northern stretch of Merrimon Avenue. It blends mid-century and historic homes on quiet, hilly streets with convenient access to local eateries and Beaver Lake.

  • Family-Friendly
  • Quiet Residential
  • Tree-Lined
  • Suburban Feel

Walking and biking in Grace

Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 46/100

Asheville currently lacks a citywide bike-share system, but recent road restriping on Merrimon Avenue added bike lanes providing access toward the Reed Creek and Glenn's Creek greenways.

Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice

Pros

  • Violent crime rates are exceptionally low compared to Asheville citywide averages.
  • High median household incomes, low poverty rates, and high homeownership maintain a well-kept neighborhood environment.
  • Convenient access to neighborhood bistros, grocers, and Beaver Lake recreation within a short drive or walk.

Cons

  • Isolated incidents of opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins occur along commercial parking lots.
  • Hilly topography and intermittent sidewalks on residential side streets limit casual pedestrian connectivity.
  • Merrimon Avenue experiences moderate vehicle congestion during morning and evening rush hours.

Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in Grace compared to downtown Asheville, with only occasional transient foot traffic along the Merrimon Avenue bus route and no significant encampments in the residential areas.

What Grace is like at each time of day

Morning · 5a – 11a
Peaceful and serene, filled with dog walkers, runners, and light commuter traffic heading toward downtown.
Afternoon · 11a – 5p
Active along the Merrimon retail strip with shoppers and diners, while side streets stay exceptionally calm and secure.
Evening · 5p – 10p
A relaxed, community-centered vibe as locals fill neighborhood patios and restaurants, remaining very safe to walk.
Late night · 10p – 5a
Quiet and dark with minimal pedestrian traffic; crime remains low, though unlit side streets require basic nocturnal awareness.

Transit, parking and getting around

Asheville Rides Transit (ART) operates the N1 and N2 bus routes along Merrimon Avenue, providing regular direct service into the Downtown ART Station; the city does not have a rail or BRT network.

Parking is simple and free, with dedicated off-street lots at almost all businesses on Merrimon Avenue and unrestricted curbside parking along residential side streets.

Things to do in Grace

  • Explore the quiet walking trails and wildlife viewing at the adjacent Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary.
  • Visit the historic 1905 stone architecture and peaceful grounds of Grace Episcopal Church.
  • Sample local craft beer, scratch-made dining, and artisan ice cream along the North Merrimon corridor.

Local favorites

  • Luella's Bar-B-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.6★ (2750)
    Beloved local smokehouse serving slow-cooked pulled pork, smoked meats, and scratch-made Southern sides.
  • Avenue M · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (850)
    Warm neighborhood bistro offering creative comfort food, craft cocktails, and a dog-friendly patio.
  • The Hop Ice Cream Cafe · Ice Cream Shop · 4.8★ (1100)
    Asheville staple dishing out inventive dairy and vegan handcrafted ice cream flavors in a cheery shop.

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.