Is Market Square South safe?
Ellicott City, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Market Square South as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Market Square South
“Go. Market Square South is an exceptionally safe and prosperous suburban enclave in Ellicott City. Violent crime is rare, and visitors need only exercise routine caution against vehicle theft in commercial retail lots.”
About the area
Market Square South is an established, affluent suburban neighborhood located near the Route 40 commercial corridor in Howard County. It is characterized by well-kept townhomes, single-family developments, and easy access to vibrant multicultural dining and everyday shopping centers.
- Suburban Safe
- Affluent
- Dining Corridor
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Market Square South
Walk score: 44/100 · Bike score: 36/100
Dedicated on-street bike lanes are sparse along high-speed commercial arterials, though paved multi-use paths and mountain biking trails are accessible nearby at Patapsco Valley State Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Part of Howard County, which consistently reports some of the lowest violent and property crime rates in Maryland.
- Strong economic foundation with median household incomes well exceeding $130,000 and poverty rates below 4%.
- High rates of owner-occupied housing and well-maintained public infrastructure and municipal services.
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic theft from motor vehicles in busy strip mall parking plazas along Route 40.
- Pedestrian navigation across multi-lane arterials like Baltimore National Pike can be hazardous due to heavy vehicle traffic.
- Residential side streets feature minimal late-night illumination and limited foot traffic.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Market Square South, with only occasional and sporadic panhandling near major commercial intersections.
What Market Square South is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very calm and safe, marked by school transit, commuter traffic, and residents walking dogs in residential tracts.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active and secure commercial bustle in retail plazas, with steady vehicle flow and safe suburban shopping environments.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Lively dining traffic around strip malls and quiet, safe residential streets with negligible crime risk.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Exceptionally quiet with minimal foot traffic; residential areas remain very safe, though retail strips mostly shut down.
Transit, parking and getting around
Transit service is managed by the Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland (RTA), primarily via Route 405 along US-40, though service frequency is limited and travel by personal vehicle is the primary mode of transit.
Parking is abundant and universally free across large shopping center surface lots and residential driveways.
Things to do in Market Square South
- Explore the Korean Way corridor along Route 40 to experience authentic regional Asian cuisine, bakeries, and markets.
- Take a short five-minute drive into Historic Ellicott City for boutique shopping, local cafes, and historic architecture.
- Enjoy outdoor walking trails and athletic facilities at nearby Worthington Park and Centennial Park.
Local favorites
- Bare Bones Grill & Brewery · American Restaurant & Brewery · 4.3★ (1650)Longstanding local staple known for craft brews, slow-cooked ribs, and classic American tavern comfort food.
- Shin Chon Garden · Korean BBQ Restaurant · 4.3★ (860)Revered dining destination serving authentic tabletop Korean barbecue, banchan, and traditional hot pots.
- EC Diner · Diner · 4.3★ (2150)Classic American diner offering expansive menus featuring all-day breakfast, comfort foods, and hearty desserts.
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.