Is North Barnaby safe?
Temple Hills, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates North Barnaby as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on North Barnaby
“Go with care. North Barnaby is a quiet, primarily residential community in Prince George's County, but its proximity to major transit corridors and the D.C. border brings elevated rates of property crime and occasional spillover violent incidents. Visitors should remain alert, lock vehicles, and stick to well-lit areas after dark.”
Prince George's County police have maintained focused patrols in the surrounding corridor to address regional vehicle break-ins and package thefts.
About the area
North Barnaby is an established mid-century suburb situated in Temple Hills near the southeastern border of Washington, D.C. The area is characterized by modest single-family brick homes, garden-style apartment complexes, and neighborhood retail centers along Saint Barnabas Road.
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet Residential
- Commuter Hub
Walking and biking in North Barnaby
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 36/100
Dedicated bike lanes are virtually non-existent on main thoroughfares, though recreational cycling is accessible nearby on the Henson Creek Trail and Oxon Run trails.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Established residential blocks with active, long-term homeowners and stable neighborhood cohesion
- Close proximity to the Capital Beltway (I-495) and easy access into Washington, D.C.
- Higher household car access (over 85%) and convenient suburban driveway parking compared to the urban core
Cons
- Property crime rates, particularly auto theft and catalytic converter theft, are above national medians
- Lacks vibrant walkable entertainment and dining within immediate interior residential streets
- Commercial strips along major corridors experience occasional nighttime disturbances
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in the residential interior of North Barnaby, though occasional unhoused individuals and panhandlers can be seen near retail plazas and transit stops on major arterials.
What North Barnaby is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents walking dogs and commuting along neighborhood collector streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Relatively calm across residential lanes, with commercial traffic picking up around shopping plazas on Saint Barnabas Road.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet in residential areas, though vigilance is advised around retail parking lots and bus stops as darkness falls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are largely empty; walking alone late at night is not recommended due to limited lighting and sporadic property crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
The area is served by WMATA Metrobus routes (such as the D12 and D14) and Prince George's County TheBus. The nearest rail hub is the Southern Avenue Metrorail Station (Green Line), situated approximately 1.5 miles northwest.
Parking is straightforward and free throughout North Barnaby, with ample curbside street parking on residential roads and large surface lots in adjacent shopping plazas.
Things to do in North Barnaby
- Enjoy outdoor recreation and walking paths at nearby Oxon Run Park along the D.C.-Maryland border
- Explore historic agriculture and nature trails at Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm a short drive away
- Sample local soul food, Caribbean fare, and Maryland seafood along the Saint Barnabas Road corridor
Local favorites
- Topolino Restaurant · Italian Restaurant · 4.3★ (1280)Longstanding local staple serving classic Italian-American pasta dishes, thin-crust pizza, and seafood.
- Silvestre Chicken · Peruvian Restaurant · 4.4★ (560)Casual, popular counter-serve eatery known for Peruvian rotisserie chicken, yuca fries, and plantains.
- Fisherman's Catch · Seafood Market & Carryout · 4.2★ (310)Local neighborhood spot offering seasoned steamed blue crabs, fried fish platters, and shrimp baskets.
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.