Is McKenney Hills safe?
Wheaton, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates McKenney Hills as “Go”.
Gogo's take on McKenney Hills
“Go. McKenney Hills is a safe, quiet, and established residential community in Montgomery County with very low violent crime rates. Visitors can comfortably explore the neighborhood and nearby parks, with typical safety precautions limited to standard vehicle security.”
Montgomery County Police Department records show low overall crime in the neighborhood, with occasional minor vehicle break-ins reflecting broader countywide suburban trends.
About the area
McKenney Hills is a tranquil mid-century residential enclave located just southwest of downtown Wheaton. It features leafy streets, single-family ramblers and split-levels, and seamless access to Sligo Creek Park. While strictly residential in character, it sits minutes away from Wheaton's diverse dining and retail hubs.
- Quiet Residential
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Suburban
Walking and biking in McKenney Hills
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 58/100
The neighborhood provides immediate access to the continuous, multi-use Sligo Creek Trail, with Capital Bikeshare stations available near the Wheaton Metro center and surrounding recreational facilities.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low incidence of violent crime compared to national and regional metro averages.
- Strong economic foundation with high homeownership rates and stable median household incomes exceeding $110,000.
- Direct adjacency to Sligo Creek Trail and well-maintained neighborhood parks.
Cons
- Sporadic opportunistic property crimes, including theft from parked vehicles.
- Suburban street layout with inconsistent sidewalks and limited nighttime street lighting in interior sections.
- Purely residential zoning requires traveling outside the immediate blocks for amenities and services.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within McKenney Hills' residential streets, though occasional unhoused individuals or panhandling can be observed around major commercial intersections and the transit center in downtown Wheaton.
What McKenney Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers heading toward Sligo Creek, dog walkers, and commuters heading out.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and residential with minimal through-traffic and children playing outdoors after school.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and comfortable for evening neighborhood strolls as residents return home.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet with virtually no foot traffic; exceptionally low risk, though normal suburban caution applies.
Transit, parking and getting around
Montgomery County Ride On buses (such as Routes 34 and 37) operate along boundary streets, providing quick connections to the Wheaton Metro Station on the WMATA Red Line, located approximately one mile north.
Residential street parking is plentiful, free, and generally unrestricted throughout the neighborhood's interior streets.
Things to do in McKenney Hills
- Walk, run, or cycle along the scenic paved paths of Sligo Creek Trail.
- Visit McKenney Hills Neighborhood Park for its playground, tennis courts, and open green space.
- Venture just north into downtown Wheaton for a self-guided international culinary tour.
Local favorites
- Ruan Thai Restaurant · Thai Restaurant · 4.5★ (860)Acclaimed neighborhood staple serving authentic central Thai curries and traditional street-food-style noodles.
- Los Chorros Restaurant · Salvadoran & Mexican Restaurant · 4.4★ (1150)Longtime local favorite celebrated for handmade pupusas, seafood dishes, and hearty Central American fare.
- Kantutas Restaurant · Bolivian Restaurant · 4.4★ (920)Vibrant dining spot known for traditional Bolivian salteñas, silpancho, and generous Andean platters.
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.