Is Hillsborough Street safe?
Raleigh, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Hillsborough Street as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Hillsborough Street
“Go. Hillsborough Street is a vibrant, active university corridor anchored by North Carolina State University that is generally safe for visitors of all ages. Basic city awareness is recommended late at night around bars and entertainment venues, but overall violent crime rates are modest compared to other urban nightlife districts.”
Recent campus and municipal safety initiatives have expanded pedestrian crosswalks, lighting, and joint police patrols between Raleigh PD and NC State Police along the corridor.
About the area
Stretching along the northern edge of NC State's main campus, Hillsborough Street serves as the social and commercial spine of west Raleigh. The street features a lively mix of student hangouts, independent coffee shops, historic architecture, and modern mixed-use developments.
- College Town Energy
- Walkable Dining Hub
- Nightlife Heavy
- Historic / Tree-Lined
Walking and biking in Hillsborough Street
Walk score: 84/100 · Bike score: 81/100
The corridor features dedicated on-street bike lanes and connects directly to the Rocky Branch Trail and the Capital Area Greenway system, with several Cardinal Bikeshare docking stations placed along the avenue.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Dual patrol presence by Raleigh Police Department and NC State University Police
- High foot traffic and 'eyes on the street' during daytime and early evening hours
- Very low rates of violent crime compared to Raleigh's citywide averages
- Excellent pedestrian infrastructure with wide sidewalks and dedicated bike lanes
Cons
- Elevated rates of opportunistic property crime, such as vehicle break-ins and bicycle theft
- Late-night alcohol-fueled rowdiness and occasional street scuffles outside bars
- Heavy pedestrian and vehicular congestion during campus rush hours and sporting events
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low to moderate, with occasional individuals requesting assistance near convenience stores, bus stops, and around the Pullen Park entrance. Encampments are not prevalent directly along the main commercial strip.
What Hillsborough Street is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and busy with students, joggers, and commuters grabbing coffee in a very safe atmosphere.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- High daytime energy with heavy foot traffic, campus activity, and open storefronts offering a comfortable, low-stress environment.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Lively dining and social crowd; well-lit and comfortable to navigate on foot.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Crowded near bars and late-night eateries on weekends; generally safe, though alcohol-related disruptions and panhandling increase.
Transit, parking and getting around
GoRaleigh provides frequent bus service along Hillsborough Street via Route 4 and Route 100, alongside NC State's Wolfline campus shuttles. Raleigh Union Station (Amtrak) is located approximately 1.5 miles east in the Warehouse District.
Metered parallel street parking is available along Hillsborough Street and adjacent side streets using the Passport Parking app, alongside public hourly parking decks like the Dan Allen Deck and Hillsborough Street Deck ($2 to $15 depending on duration and events).
Things to do in Hillsborough Street
- Tour the historic Gregg Museum of Art & Design and stroll through its outdoor gardens
- Walk the scenic perimeter of NC State's North Campus and Memorial Belltower
- Browse independent reads and grab a local draft at Reader's Corner and nearby cafes
Local favorites
- Mitch's Tavern · Classic Pub / Tavern · 4.5★ (1150)Historic, second-floor campus watering hole famous for its classic wooden interior and appearance in Bull Durham.
- Jubala Coffee · Coffee Shop & Bakery · 4.7★ (920)Acclaimed specialty coffee house known for artisan pour-overs, sweet biscuits, and scratch-made waffles.
- Player's Retreat · Iconic Sports Bar & Grill · 4.6★ (2100)Legendary Raleigh institution serving award-winning burgers and an extensive whiskey list since 1951.
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.