Is Highland Park safe?
Arlington, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Highland Park as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Highland Park
“Go. Highland Park is an exceptionally safe, quiet, and affluent residential enclave in Arlington. Visitors and residents can walk comfortably at virtually any hour with minimal safety concerns.”
About the area
Highland Park is a leafy, well-manicured suburban-style neighborhood located in northern Arlington County. It features quiet residential streets lined with single-family homes, mature trees, and easy access to nearby parks and dining hubs like Westover.
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet & Residential
- Tree-Lined
- Suburban Feel
Walking and biking in Highland Park
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 68/100
Capital Bikeshare stations are available at nearby parks and transit hubs, with convenient connection to the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) and Custis multi-use trails.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Extremely low violent and property crime rates compared to regional and national averages
- High median household incomes well exceeding $150,000 and low poverty rates below 3%
- Well-maintained public parks, clean infrastructure, and strong community engagement
Cons
- Primarily car-dependent residential streets with limited commercial retail inside the neighborhood boundaries
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like vehicle break-ins targeting unlocked cars
- High housing costs and limited short-term accommodation options for visitors
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in this purely residential neighborhood, with services centered in larger commercial corridors elsewhere in Arlington County.
What Highland Park is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers, dog walkers, and parents heading toward nearby schools.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm, quiet streets with light residential traffic and visitors enjoying local neighborhood parks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pleasant and very safe for evening strolls as residents return home from commutes.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dark with almost no foot traffic, maintaining a very secure atmosphere.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by Arlington Transit (ART) with ART 52 and Metrobus routes connecting to the East Falls Church and Ballston-MU Metrorail stations (Orange and Silver lines), located roughly 1 to 1.5 miles away.
Street parking is free and plentiful along most residential streets, though some blocks require residential permits during peak commuter hours.
Things to do in Highland Park
- Explore the playground and sports courts at adjacent Westover Park
- Stroll the shaded neighborhood streets to admire mid-century and custom craftsman homes
- Hop on the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail for cycling or jogging into Falls Church or D.C.
Local favorites
- Westover Market & Beer Garden · Grocery & Beer Garden · 4.5★ (1150)Neighborhood staple offering specialty groceries, butcher counter, and an expansive outdoor craft beer garden.
- Toby's Homemade Ice Cream · Ice Cream Shop · 4.8★ (780)Beloved local scoop shop serving rich, handcrafted ice cream flavors and espresso drinks.
- Lost Dog Cafe - Westover · Pizza & Sandwich Restaurant · 4.6★ (1420)Popular local eatery serving creative gourmet pizzas and sandwiches supporting animal rescue efforts.
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.