Is Juno safe?
Leicester, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Juno as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Juno
“Go. Juno is a quiet, semi-rural community nestled along Leicester Highway that poses virtually no violent safety concerns for visitors. The primary hazards here are narrow mountain roads, fast-moving rural traffic, and a lack of pedestrian infrastructure rather than criminal activity.”
Buncombe County has focused regional recovery efforts on infrastructure, culverts, and road stability along mountain transit corridors following Hurricane Helene.
About the area
Juno serves as the semi-rural gateway between West Asheville and rural Leicester in Buncombe County. The area is defined by rolling pastoral hills, family-owned homesteads, small roadside businesses, and scenic mountain views.
- Rural / Pastoral
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
- Scenic
Walking and biking in Juno
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 18/100
There is no bike-share program or dedicated greenway infrastructure in Juno; cycling on narrow, curvy roads without paved shoulders requires extreme caution.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low violent and property crime rates compared to the urban core of Asheville
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes fostering a stable, quiet community
- Peaceful, scenic countryside setting with quick driving access to West Asheville amenities
Cons
- High-speed vehicular traffic along two-lane NC-63 with narrow shoulders and poor lighting
- Complete lack of sidewalks and crosswalks makes foot transit hazardous
- Sparse commercial infrastructure and longer emergency response times standard for unincorporated county zones
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not an active factor in Juno, as social services and shelters are concentrated in downtown Asheville several miles to the east.
What Juno is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and clear with steady commuter traffic along NC-63 and zero criminal safety concerns.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet country atmosphere with active farm stands and safe, tranquil side roads.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and quiet as local businesses wind down, remaining safe for motorists and residents.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-black country conditions where the main risks are reduced visibility and wandering wildlife rather than crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
There is no fixed-route public transit in Juno; the Asheville Rides Transit (ART) network does not extend into this unincorporated section of Buncombe County, making a personal vehicle essential.
Free and abundant off-street surface parking is available at all commercial properties, farm stands, and community venues.
Things to do in Juno
- Take a scenic rural drive through the rolling hills and farmland of the French Broad River basin
- Sample traditional Carolina-style smoked meats and Southern sides at local roadside barbecue joints
- Shop for local produce, plants, and mountain goods at neighborhood farm stands and country markets
Local favorites
- Big J's Bubba-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.5★ (490)Down-home roadside joint serving generous portions of smoked pulled pork, ribs, and classic Southern sides.
- Hot Dog King · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (360)Longtime casual stop offering quick-service burgers, chili dogs, and crinkle-cut fries.
- Leicester Community Market · Farmers Market · 4.7★ (85)Seasonal gathering featuring regional produce, baked goods, artisan crafts, and local plants.
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.