Is Mount Airy safe?
Cincinnati, Ohio · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Mount Airy as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Mount Airy
“Go with care. Mount Airy is most famous for its massive, 1,459-acre urban forest and recreation amenities, which are safe, popular, and scenic during daylight hours. Exercise standard situational awareness regarding property crime and vehicle break-ins along commercial strips and park parking areas.”
Recent municipal efforts have centered on trail upkeep and increased park ranger patrols to address recurring vehicle break-ins at Mt. Airy Forest trailheads.
About the area
Mount Airy is a heavily wooded, topographically hilly neighborhood on Cincinnati's northwest side defined by Mt. Airy Forest. The area combines quiet mid-century residential pockets with busier commercial corridors along Colerain Avenue and North Bend Road.
- Wooded & Green
- Car-Dependent
- Outdoor Recreation
- Suburban Feel
Walking and biking in Mount Airy
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 32/100
There are no Cincy Red Bike bike-share stations in Mount Airy; while hilly terrain and lack of on-street lanes make road cycling difficult, Mt. Airy Forest offers designated off-road mountain bike trails.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Direct access to Mt. Airy Forest, featuring extensive hiking, mountain biking, an arboretum, and disc golf
- Quiet, leafy single-family residential pockets with stable owner-occupancy off the main corridors
- Convenient highway connectivity to I-74 and downtown Cincinnati via major arterials
Cons
- Elevated rates of vehicle break-ins and opportunistic property theft near park lots and strip centers
- Higher concentration of poverty (around 20%) and rental density in apartment complexes along Colerain Avenue
- Limited walkable commercial amenities, requiring a vehicle for most daily errands
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low throughout the residential zones and deep park trails. Occasional unhoused individuals or panhandlers are seen near major bus stops and gas stations along the Colerain Avenue commercial corridor.
What Mount Airy is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and safe with dog walkers, hikers, and commuters moving through residential streets and park access ways.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Pleasant in park recreation areas, though traffic picks up significantly along retail corridors like Colerain Avenue.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm in residential neighborhoods; visitors should pack up from forest trailheads before dark.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Park grounds are closed and unlit; foot traffic drops sharply and walking along major commercial strips is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Go Metro (SORTA) provides bus service through the neighborhood via Route 17 along Hamilton Avenue and Routes 19 and 20 serving Colerain Avenue and North Bend Road. There is no rapid transit or passenger rail connection.
Parking is abundant and free throughout Mt. Airy Forest lots, public park facilities, neighborhood shopping centers, and along residential side streets.
Things to do in Mount Airy
- Explore the universally accessible structure at Everybody's Treehouse inside Mt. Airy Forest
- Hike or trail run through the Mt. Airy Forest Arboretum and miles of forested paths
- Play a round at the championship-caliber 18-hole Mt. Airy Disc Golf Course
Local favorites
- Putz's Creamy Whip · Ice Cream Shop · 4.8★ (2850)Historic, beloved seasonal soft-serve institution operating near the neighborhood border since 1938.
- Everybody's Treehouse · Park Attraction · 4.8★ (460)A whimsical, fully wheelchair-accessible treehouse structure nested deep in the Mt. Airy woods.
- Mt. Airy Forest Disc Golf Course · Recreation · 4.7★ (340)A heavily wooded, scenic 18-hole disc golf course drawing enthusiasts from across the Tri-State.
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.
Add this score to your site
Writing about Mount Airy? Copy this code to show its live safety score on your blog or listing.