Is Mount Vernon safe?
Cary, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Mount Vernon as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Mount Vernon
“Go. Mount Vernon is a quiet, exceptionally safe residential enclave in Cary with virtually no violent crime risks for visitors. The area is peaceful and family-oriented, requiring only routine suburban precautions such as locking parked vehicles.”
About the area
Mount Vernon is an established, tree-lined residential neighborhood nestled near central Cary, featuring mature landscaping and well-kept mid-to-late 20th-century single-family homes. It offers a tranquil, secluded atmosphere while remaining just minutes from Cary's revitalized downtown district and major shopping corridors.
- Quiet Residential
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Mount Vernon
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 48/100
While neighborhood streets do not have dedicated bike lanes, they connect quickly to the town's extensive multi-use trail network, including the Higgins Greenway and Hinshaw Greenway.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are near zero, mirroring Cary's standing as one of the safest municipalities in the country
- High homeownership rate and strong household incomes ensure well-maintained homes and grounds
- Close proximity to Cary's paved greenway system and community parks
- Low-traffic interior streets ideal for daytime walks and exercise
Cons
- Car-dependent layout with virtually no commercial amenities within direct walking distance
- Interior residential streets have limited streetlights, creating very dark nighttime conditions
- Occasional opportunistic thefts from unlocked vehicles reported along the outer perimeter
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in this residential neighborhood, with regional support services situated farther out in downtown Raleigh.
What Mount Vernon is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Bright, peaceful, and active with residents walking dogs and heading out for morning commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet and safe with light local traffic and occasional delivery vehicles.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and residential with families relaxing in yards and minimal through-traffic.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Exceptionally quiet and safe, though deeply dark due to sparse suburban streetlighting.
Transit, parking and getting around
GoCary provides bus service along surrounding corridors such as Maynard Road and Walnut Street (Routes 3 and 4), while the Cary Amtrak/transit depot in downtown Cary is about two miles away.
Parking is completely hassle-free, with private driveways and ample free on-street parking on residential roads without parking meters or permits.
Things to do in Mount Vernon
- Walk or bike through the neighborhood to connect with the nearby Higgins Greenway
- Spend an afternoon at the nearby Downtown Cary Park enjoying public art, gardens, and community events
- Explore the historic Cary Arts Center for local exhibitions, classes, and theatrical performances
Local favorites
- Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery · Bakery & Cafe · 4.7★ (1150)A beloved nearby community bakery serving specialty espresso, artisan pastries, and scratch-made sandwiches.
- Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen · Southern Restaurant · 4.6★ (2180)Upscale regional eatery offering farm-to-table Southern classics and craft cocktails in a relaxed setting.
- Ashworth Drugs · Pharmacy & Soda Fountain · 4.6★ (560)Historic downtown Cary landmark famous for traditional soda fountain milkshakes, hot dogs, and nostalgic charm.
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.