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Is Konnoak Hills safe?

Winston-Salem, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly

62out of 100

Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.

VibeLoco rates Konnoak Hills as “Caution”.

Gogo's take on Konnoak Hills

“Go with care. Konnoak Hills is a largely quiet, working-class residential neighborhood in south Winston-Salem, though property crime and sporadic disturbances along nearby commercial thoroughfares require awareness. Daytime visits for local dining or residential stops are generally uneventful, but standard situational precautions are advisable after dark.”

Local coverage for South Winston-Salem has noted ongoing Winston-Salem Police Department operations aimed at curtailing recurring vehicle thefts and localized property crimes.

About the area

Konnoak Hills is an established mid-century neighborhood in South Winston-Salem dominated by single-family ranch homes and mature tree-lined lots. It offers swift access to Interstate 40 and US-52, placing visitors minutes from downtown, Old Salem, and Washington Park. The area carries a suburban, working-class atmosphere anchored by localized dining spots and auto-oriented retail along its outer edges.

  • Suburban
  • Residential
  • Working-Class
  • Car-Dependent

Walking and biking in Konnoak Hills

Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 34/100

There is no local bike-share program and on-street bike lanes are scarce, but cyclists can connect to the Salem Creek Greenway a short distance north.

Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice

Pros

  • Predominantly single-family residential character with relatively low violent crime on interior streets.
  • Convenient vehicle access to US-52 and I-40, facilitating fast commutes to downtown amenities.
  • Access to authentic and affordable family-run dining options along surrounding corridors.

Cons

  • Elevated property crime rates, specifically opportunistic vehicle break-ins and thefts.
  • Lower median household income and moderate neighborhood poverty compared to Forsyth County averages.
  • Sparse pedestrian infrastructure, lacking continuous sidewalks and street lighting on several residential blocks.

Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not prevalent in the residential heart of Konnoak Hills, though unhoused individuals and occasional panhandling can be seen near commercial nodes along US-52 and Peters Creek Parkway.

What Konnoak Hills is like at each time of day

Morning · 5a – 11a
Mornings are calm and quiet as residents commute, making it safe for walking and routine daytime activities.
Afternoon · 11a – 5p
Afternoons stay peaceful on residential side streets, though traffic builds up steadily on Konnoak Drive and major connectors.
Evening · 5p – 10p
Evenings are low-key, though limited street lighting means visitors should stay aware on dimly lit streets.
Late night · 10p – 5a
Late-night hours see very little foot traffic and carry higher risks for opportunistic property crime, so walking alone is discouraged.

Transit, parking and getting around

Winston-Salem Transit Authority (WSTA) operates bus routes such as Route 87 along perimeter corridors to the Clark Campbell Transportation Center downtown; there is no passenger rail service.

Street parking is free and widely available on residential streets, and nearby shopping plazas provide ample complimentary surface parking.

Things to do in Konnoak Hills

  • Explore the nearby historic grounds, trails, and Moravian bakeries at Old Salem Museums & Gardens just to the north.
  • Sample authentic regional Mexican street fare and traditional pastries along the nearby Sprague Street corridor.
  • Visit Washington Park nearby for recreation, dog park access, and shaded walking paths.

Local favorites

  • Kermit's Hot Dog House · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (1420)
    Long-standing local landmark famous for classic Carolina-style hot dogs, burgers, and hearty breakfast platters.
  • Ted's Famous Chicken · Southern Restaurant · 4.3★ (510)
    Beloved Southside staple known for southern-style fried chicken, tender baskets, and traditional comfort sides.
  • Taqueria El Rancho · Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (380)
    Popular casual eatery serving authentic street tacos, tortas, and freshly prepared house salsas.

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.