Is Hallowell safe?
Olney, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Hallowell as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Hallowell
“Go. Hallowell is an exceptionally safe, affluent planned community in Olney with negligible violent crime and well-maintained surroundings. Visitors will find a tranquil, family-oriented neighborhood with safe paths and scenic suburban green spaces.”
About the area
Hallowell is a master-planned residential neighborhood in Olney, Maryland, centered around Lake Hallowell and featuring a mix of townhomes and single-family houses. It offers a peaceful suburban setting with tree-lined streets, community walking paths, and close proximity to Olney's main dining and shopping corridors.
- Quiet / Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Green / Scenic
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Hallowell
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 42/100
There are no municipal bike-share stations like Capital Bikeshare in the neighborhood, but paved multi-use paths connect through Hallowell and link toward surrounding parkland and schools.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Extremely low rates of violent and property crime well below state and national averages
- Affluent economic profile with high homeownership and median household incomes exceeding $140,000
- Well-maintained community parklands and walking paths surrounding Lake Hallowell
- Close proximity to strong public schools, healthcare facilities, and regional amenities
Cons
- Car-dependent design requiring a vehicle for almost all daily errands and dining
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as thefts from unlocked vehicles
- Limited nightlife and entertainment options within the immediate subdivision
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Hallowell, with no encampments or panhandling observed in the residential areas or surrounding neighborhood parks.
What Hallowell is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Bright and peaceful with neighbors walking dogs, jogging along the lake, and school buses moving through quiet streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and residential with minimal through-traffic and people utilizing the community trail network.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and comfortable with residents returning home and safe conditions for late evening walks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and silent with virtually no street foot-traffic, remaining exceptionally safe throughout the night.
Transit, parking and getting around
Montgomery County Ride On bus routes (such as Routes 52 and 53) run along nearby Georgia Avenue and Route 108, connecting commuters to the Glenmont Metro Station (Red Line) approximately 6 miles south.
Parking is readily available, free, and straightforward with dedicated driveways, community bays, and open residential street parking throughout the subdivision.
Things to do in Hallowell
- Walk or jog the scenic paved trail looping around Lake Hallowell
- See a professional play or musical production at the nearby Olney Theatre Center
- Enjoy sports facilities, tennis courts, and a skate park at Olney Manor Recreational Park
Local favorites
- GrillMarx Steakhouse & Raw Bar · Steakhouse · 4.5★ (1250)Polished local steakhouse serving hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, and craft cocktails in Olney.
- Olney Theatre Center · Performing Arts Theater · 4.7★ (620)Historic regional theater complex presenting plays, musicals, and community arts programs.
- Cava Mezze · Mediterranean Restaurant · 4.5★ (890)Lively neighborhood spot serving traditional Greek small plates and modern Mediterranean dishes.
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.