Is Lakewood safe?
Huntsville, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Lakewood as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Lakewood
“Go with care. Lakewood is an older, predominantly residential working-class neighborhood in North Huntsville that is generally calm during the day. While violent incidents are infrequent for casual visitors, elevated rates of property crime and opportunistic vehicle break-ins require basic street smarts.”
Local police patrols in North Huntsville continue to focus on curb-side vehicle thefts and isolated property crime incidents along commercial corridors near Memorial Parkway.
About the area
Lakewood is an established mid-century neighborhood in North Huntsville characterized by modest single-family ranch homes, local community parks, and bordering commercial strips along North Memorial Parkway. It offers an unpretentious, quiet suburban environment with convenient highway access to downtown Huntsville and Redstone Arsenal.
- Residential Suburb
- Working-Class
- Quiet
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Lakewood
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 41/100
The neighborhood lacks dedicated bike lanes and direct connection to major city greenways, though residential side streets see low vehicle speeds suitable for casual riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Centrally located with immediate, quick vehicle access to Memorial Parkway and Downtown Huntsville
- Quiet, low-traffic residential side streets around community parks and schools
- Relatively low severe violent crime rates directly within the residential core compared to denser urban hubs
Cons
- Above-average property crime and vehicle theft rates along bordering commercial strips and apartment complexes
- Household median income and housing maintenance levels lag behind South Huntsville and Madison averages
- Limited pedestrian infrastructure, with missing sidewalks on several internal streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior residential blocks, but occasional panhandling and unhoused individuals may be seen near bus stops and commercial plazas along North Memorial Parkway.
What Lakewood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents heading to work and children heading to local schools.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet suburban atmosphere with typical neighborhood traffic and open park spaces.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Streets become quiet early, though caution is recommended near commercial plazas and major intersections.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally deserted residential streets; keep vehicles locked and avoid walking unlit corridors alone.
Transit, parking and getting around
Huntsville Transit (Orbit) serves the periphery of the neighborhood via routes running along North Memorial Parkway and Sparkman Drive, though headways are typically 30 to 60 minutes with no rail service in the city.
Free and ample parking is readily available via private residential driveways and spacious retail surface lots throughout the neighborhood.
Things to do in Lakewood
- Enjoy the playground, green space, and walking paths at Lakewood Park
- Pick up fresh local produce and Southern staples at nearby regional markets along North Parkway
- Visit the adjacent North Huntsville public recreational facilities and sports fields
Local favorites
- Big Bowl Thai Cuisine · Thai Restaurant · 4.6★ (780)A popular local spot just outside Lakewood known for generous portions of authentic curries and noodle dishes.
- Tenders! - North Huntsville · Fast Food / Southern · 4.4★ (520)A local Huntsville institution serving classic fried chicken tenders, crinkle fries, and signature sauces.
- Betty Mae's Restaurant · Soul Food Restaurant · 4.6★ (960)Legendary nearby meat-and-three cafeteria serving scratch-made Southern comfort classics.
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.