Is Knollwood safe?
Beltsville, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Knollwood as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Knollwood
“Go. Knollwood is a quiet, settled suburban enclave in Beltsville that poses little direct danger to daytime visitors or residents. Exercise basic urban-suburban caution along the adjacent Route 1 commercial corridor, where property crime and opportunistic vehicle theft are more common.”
About the area
Knollwood is an established residential neighborhood in Beltsville characterized by mid-century single-family homes, leafy residential streets, and quiet cul-de-sacs. Bordered by Route 1 and parkland along Little Paint Branch, it serves primarily as a tranquil bedroom community for workers commuting to the University of Maryland, NASA Goddard, and downtown Washington, D.C.
- Suburban / Leafy
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Knollwood
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 48/100
Dedicated bike lanes are scarce on main thoroughfares, but the neighborhood provides easy access to the Little Paint Branch Trail, connecting south toward College Park and the Anacostia Tributary Trail System; Capital Bikeshare docks are limited in the immediate vicinity.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes contributing to neighborhood stability
- Substantially lower violent crime rates compared to closer-in Prince George's County communities
- Direct proximity to Little Paint Branch Trail and regional park systems
Cons
- Vehicle break-ins and catalytic converter thefts occur intermittently along local streets
- Heavier traffic and pedestrian hazards along the Route 1 (Baltimore Avenue) perimeter
- Car-dependent layout with limited commercial amenities directly inside the residential core
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically nonexistent within the residential core of Knollwood, though occasional individuals asking for assistance may be seen near high-traffic retail centers and bus stops along Route 1.
What Knollwood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with neighbors walking dogs and commuters heading toward Route 1 or the I-95/I-495 corridor.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and family-oriented, with school buses dropping off children and light local traffic on residential streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet throughout the residential subdivisions, though traffic and activity pick up along the nearby dining corridors.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally safe and very quiet, though limited street lighting means staying aware of surroundings is recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Transit is provided by WMATA Metrobus (notably routes 83, 86, and C2) and Prince George's County TheBus along Route 1 and Powder Mill Road; the Greenbelt Metro and MARC commuter rail station is roughly a 10-minute drive or bus ride south.
Parking is exceptionally straightforward, with abundant free street parking along residential roads and large, free surface parking lots at neighborhood shopping plazas.
Things to do in Knollwood
- Walk, jog, or cycle along the Little Paint Branch Trail greenway
- Play tennis, basketball, or use the playground at Beltsville Community Center Park
- Explore the nearby grounds and agricultural vistas around the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center
Local favorites
- Swahili Village · Kenyan / African Restaurant · 4.3★ (1820)An acclaimed dining destination serving authentic East African specialties such as nyama choma and samaki.
- Sardi's Pollo A La Brasa · Peruvian Restaurant · 4.4★ (3250)A popular, fast-casual regional favorite known for charcoal-rotisserie chicken and savory sides.
- Old Hickory Grill · American / Barbecue Restaurant · 4.2★ (1140)A local fixture offering slow-smoked meats, ribs, and homestyle comfort foods in a relaxed setting.
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.