Is North Hills safe?
Vienna, West Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates North Hills as “Go”.
Gogo's take on North Hills
“Go. North Hills is a peaceful, affluent residential enclave that is exceptionally safe for visitors and residents alike. Crime rates are among the lowest in the Mid-Ohio Valley region, making it an ideal, worry-free stop if you are staying in or visiting the Vienna-Parkersburg area.”
About the area
North Hills is an incorporated residential suburban community tucked along the hills just northeast of Vienna and Parkersburg. Characterized by well-manicured single-family homes, mature trees, and quiet cul-de-sacs, it offers a tranquil retreat from the commercial corridors along Grand Central Avenue.
- Quiet Suburb
- Family-Friendly
- Wooded / Scenic
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in North Hills
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 18/100
There is no bike-share program and no dedicated bike lanes in the immediate area; cycling is generally limited to neighborhood streets with steep hills.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime is virtually nonexistent and property crime rates are well below state and national averages
- High median household income exceeding $95,000 with a homeownership rate near 95%
- Quiet, low-traffic residential streets with well-kept properties and active neighborhood watch
Cons
- Strictly residential with zero commercial venues within the town boundaries, requiring a car for all errands
- Winding, hilly terrain with limited street lighting and no continuous sidewalks
- Dependent on neighboring Vienna and Wood County for emergency services and amenities
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not present in North Hills. Any unhoused populations or support shelters in the region are concentrated closer to downtown Parkersburg.
What North Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with occasional joggers and dog walkers navigating the neighborhood roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with very light local traffic and standard suburban activity.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential setting where families are out in yards, remaining completely safe after sunset.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and quiet with almost no vehicular or pedestrian traffic; safe but requiring headlights or a flashlight.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by the Easy Rider (Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority), but routes run along Grand Central Avenue and Murdoch Avenue in Vienna and Parkersburg, offering no direct service inside North Hills.
Driveway and private garage parking are standard; informal on-street parking is permitted on most residential streets with zero parking fees or meters.
Things to do in North Hills
- Stroll or jog along the quiet, tree-canopied residential lanes of North Hills
- Visit the nearby Jackson Memorial Park in Vienna for walking trails, sports courts, and a community pool
- Explore the nearby McDonough Wildlife Refuge for peaceful wooded nature hikes
Local favorites
- Holl's Swiss Chocolatier · Chocolatier / Confectionery · 4.9★ (320)Renowned family-owned shop crafting authentic Swiss truffles and gourmet chocolates nearby in Vienna.
- Colombo's Italian Restaurant · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (1650)Longstanding local institution serving hearty pasta dishes, pizza, and classic Italian-American entrees.
- The Original Pizza Place · Pizza Restaurant · 4.6★ (980)Popular regional favorite famous for Sicilian thick-crust pizzas and classic parlor atmosphere.
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.