Is Hollywood-Rose Hill safe?
Columbia, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Hollywood-Rose Hill as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Hollywood-Rose Hill
“Go. Hollywood-Rose Hill is one of Columbia's safest, most stable, and picturesque historic residential neighborhoods. Violent crime is rare, making it an excellent and secure area for visitors exploring near the USC campus or Five Points.”
About the area
Hollywood-Rose Hill is an established, tree-canopied neighborhood featuring well-preserved 1920s Spanish Colonial, Tudor, and Craftsman architecture. Located just southeast of the University of South Carolina, it offers a peaceful, upscale residential enclave buffered from heavy commercial traffic.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet Residential
- Suburban-In-City
Walking and biking in Hollywood-Rose Hill
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 60/100
Neighborhood streets are low-speed and pleasant for bicycling, though dedicated bike infrastructure is concentrated on surrounding arterial roads connecting to the USC campus.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than Columbia citywide benchmarks.
- High median household income, strong owner-occupancy, and well-maintained historic housing stock.
- Quiet, low-traffic residential streets nestled directly adjacent to popular dining corridors.
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins occur along edges near student corridors.
- Lacks direct retail inside the neighborhood interior, requiring a short walk or drive to commercial strips.
- Some residential blocks lack continuous concrete sidewalks.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is essentially non-existent within the interior residential blocks, though individuals experiencing homelessness may occasionally be seen along nearby commercial segments of Rosewood Drive.
What Hollywood-Rose Hill is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with morning joggers, dog walkers, and light resident commuter traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very calm and secure, with pleasant tree-shaded sidewalks ideal for casual strolls.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and residential, feeling secure as neighbors unwind and walk before dusk.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally very tranquil and safe, though standard caution regarding isolated vehicle prowling applies.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by The COMET bus system, with local routes operating along perimeter thoroughfares like Rosewood Drive and Harden Street; Columbia does not have a rail transit network.
On-street parking is free, unrestricted, and easily accessible throughout most residential side streets, with private driveways standard for residences.
Things to do in Hollywood-Rose Hill
- Take a self-guided architectural walking tour to view unique 1920s Spanish Revival and Craftsman homes.
- Relax or let kids play beneath the mature canopy at Hollywood Park.
- Stroll a few blocks north or south to explore the independent shops and eateries of Rosewood and Five Points.
Local favorites
- Il Giorgione · Italian Restaurant · 4.6★ (680)Charming neighborhood trattoria offering authentic wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta, and Italian wines.
- Rosewood Market & Deli · Grocery & Cafe · 4.6★ (740)Beloved local market serving organic produce, health-conscious groceries, and a popular hot lunch bar.
- Drip Coffee · Coffee Shop · 4.7★ (1250)Specialty coffee shop on nearby Saluda Avenue serving pour-overs, espresso drinks, and light breakfast fare.
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.