Is Hillendale safe?
Parkville, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Hillendale as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Hillendale
“Go with care. Hillendale is a largely quiet, working-class suburban residential community in Baltimore County with convenient retail plazas. While violent crime against visitors is uncommon, opportunistic property crimes and occasional incidents near apartment corridors make basic nighttime situational awareness necessary.”
Recent Baltimore County police reports in the Hillendale area primarily focus on vehicle thefts, catalytic converter thefts, and occasional isolated disputes near apartment complexes.
About the area
Hillendale is an established post-war suburban community situated just north of the Baltimore City boundary in Parkville. Dominated by brick townhomes, low-rise apartment communities, and strip retail centers, it serves primarily as a commuter base with close proximity to Towson and northeast Baltimore.
- Suburban
- Working-Class
- Brick Townhomes
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Hillendale
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 44/100
There are no municipal bike-share stations or dedicated on-street bike lanes, though recreational cycling is accessible a short drive away at Loch Raven Reservoir.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Established residential streets with a solid core of working-class homeowners
- Close proximity and easy driving access to Towson Town Center, colleges, and regional medical facilities
- Abundant everyday suburban retail, grocery stores, and casual dining options nearby
Cons
- Higher rates of vehicle break-ins and auto thefts compared to outer Baltimore County suburbs
- Spillover property crime and occasional loitering around strip mall parking lots and busy bus stops
- Very few cultural attractions or destination entertainment spots within the neighborhood
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within residential pockets, with occasional panhandling observed near busy shopping centers and transit stops along Loch Raven Boulevard.
What Hillendale is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are calm and quiet as residents commute to work and students head to neighborhood schools.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons bring steady activity to commercial shopping plazas along Taylor Avenue, while residential streets stay quiet.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings are peaceful in the residential sectors, though standard caution is advised around busy strip-mall parking lots.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights see virtually no pedestrian foot traffic, and walking alone after midnight is not recommended due to vehicle and property crime risks.
Transit, parking and getting around
Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) provides service via CityLink Green and LocalLink 53 buses connecting to Towson and downtown Baltimore; there are no light rail or subway stations within walking distance.
Street parking is free and readily available along residential roads, and commercial centers offer large, free surface parking lots.
Things to do in Hillendale
- Enjoy community walking paths and athletic fields at Hillendale Park
- Browse local international grocers and retail plazas along Loch Raven Boulevard
- Take a short drive to the scenic trails and waterside vistas at nearby Loch Raven Reservoir
Local favorites
- El Salto Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (1450)Longstanding neighborhood favorite known for hearty Mexican platters, chimichangas, and margaritas.
- Silver Spring Mining Company · American Restaurant · 4.3★ (1620)Casual, rustic Maryland eatery famous for classic crab cakes, ribs, and comfort food.
- Kiku Sushi · Japanese Restaurant · 4.4★ (630)Unassuming local strip-mall staple turning out fresh sushi rolls, sashimi, and bento specials.
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.