Is Long Branch safe?
Burke, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Long Branch as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Long Branch
“Go. Long Branch in Burke is an exceptionally safe, affluent, and peaceful suburban community in Fairfax County. Visitors will encounter virtually no street-level safety concerns, making it an ideal spot for quiet strolls and park visits.”
About the area
Long Branch is a tranquil, tree-filled residential enclave located within the suburban planned community of Burke. Dominated by single-family homes, townhouses, and parkland along the Long Branch stream, it offers a distinctly quiet and family-oriented environment.
- Quiet Suburb
- Family-Friendly
- Wooded / Nature Trails
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Long Branch
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 42/100
Capital Bikeshare stations are not present in this immediate neighborhood, but personal bikes have direct access to the scenic, paved Long Branch Stream Valley Trail connecting north toward Fairfax City.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low violent and property crime rates backed by strong Fairfax County public safety services
- High household incomes, strong homeownership rates, and well-maintained residential properties
- Direct access to lush stream valley parks, multi-use nature trails, and green spaces
- Peaceful, family-oriented community atmosphere with minimal commercial congestion
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent with minimal walkable retail, dining, or entertainment options
- Limited street lighting along residential side streets and trail paths after dark
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like unlocked vehicle larcenies common to quiet suburbs
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in this residential neighborhood, with no encampments or panhandling present.
What Long Branch is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, joggers, and school buses moving through neighborhood streets in broad daylight.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with light neighborhood traffic, children playing in yards, and people utilizing the park trails.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential wind-down with residents returning home from commutes; completely safe for evening walks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and quiet with very little vehicle traffic and zero street-level safety concerns.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is managed by Fairfax Connector and WMATA; the Burke Centre VRE commuter rail station is roughly a 5-to-10-minute drive away, while local buses (such as Fairfax Connector routes 306 and 310 nearby) provide connections to the Franconia-Springfield and Vienna Metrorail stations.
Parking is abundant and free throughout the area, utilizing private driveways, townhouse parking bays, and unmetered residential street parking.
Things to do in Long Branch
- Hike, jog, or birdwatch along the scenic, paved Long Branch Stream Valley Trail
- Enjoy sports courts, playgrounds, and open fields at Rutherford Park
- Take a short drive to Burke Lake Park for fishing, disc golf, and waterfront walking paths
Local favorites
- Spartans Family Restaurant · Greek / American Diner · 4.5★ (1420)A beloved neighborhood staple serving hearty Greek specialties, breakfast classics, and pizza.
- Rafagino · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (480)Cozy, relaxed trattoria known for traditional pastas, seafood dishes, and warm hospitality.
- Anita's New Mexico Style Mexican Food · New Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (1150)Popular local chain renowned for breakfast burritos and Southwestern specialties.
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.