Is Mayfair safe?
Birmingham, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Mayfair as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Mayfair
“Go. Mayfair is an exceptionally peaceful and affluent residential enclave in Homewood, just south of downtown Birmingham. Violent crime is extremely rare, making it one of the safest and most family-friendly neighborhoods in the entire metropolitan area.”
About the area
Nestled in Homewood along Shades Creek, Mayfair features leafy residential streets lined with mid-century cottages, newly built craftsman homes, and manicured lawns. It offers rapid access to popular parks, the Shades Creek Greenway, and the boutique dining districts of central Homewood and Mountain Brook.
- Suburban / Quiet
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Affluent Enclave
Walking and biking in Mayfair
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 48/100
Direct access to the popular multi-use Shades Creek Greenway provides great recreational riding, though dedicated on-street bike lanes are rare on surrounding roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low rates of violent and property crime compared to both state and national averages
- High median household income exceeding $110,000 with very high homeownership rates
- Direct access to the Shades Creek Greenway for recreation and walking
- Well-maintained infrastructure, active neighborhood watch, and responsive local municipal services
Cons
- Suburban street layout requires a vehicle for most daily commercial errands
- Occasional opportunistic crimes of opportunity like unlocked car break-ins
- Through-traffic congestion along bordering corridors like Lakeshore Drive during peak commute hours
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within Mayfair; unhoused individuals and support services are concentrated several miles north in downtown Birmingham.
What Mayfair is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with frequent dog walkers, joggers, and residents heading to school or work.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet on residential streets, with steady recreational activity along the greenway.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and comfortable, with families spending time in front yards and neighborhood streets feeling very safe.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and low-activity residential streets where standard suburban awareness is all that is required.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is very limited; the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA MAX) operates bus lines nearby along main arterials like Greensprings Highway, but service is infrequent and car travel dominates.
Plentiful, free residential street parking and private driveways throughout the neighborhood with no parking decks or meter fees.
Things to do in Mayfair
- Walk or jog along the scenic, shaded paved path of the Shades Creek Greenway (Lakeshore Trail)
- Enjoy outdoor recreation and tennis courts at nearby Homewood Patriot Park
- Browse local boutiques and artisanal bakeries in nearby Downtown Homewood along 18th Street South
Local favorites
- Sam's Deli & Grill · Mediterranean & Deli · 4.6★ (380)Longtime casual neighborhood spot serving hearty sandwiches, gyros, and Mediterranean specialties.
- SOHO Social · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (1150)Lively nearby gathering place offering elevated pub fare, craft beers, and patio seating.
- Savage's Bakery · Bakery · 4.5★ (820)Historic nearby Homewood institution renowned for custom cakes, pastries, meltaway cookies, and coffee.
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.