Is North Knollwood safe?
Cary, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates North Knollwood as “Go”.
Gogo's take on North Knollwood
“Go. North Knollwood is an exceptionally safe, peaceful suburban neighborhood in Cary, known nationwide for its remarkably low crime rates and well-maintained residential environment. Visitors will encounter minimal safety risks, whether walking during the day or evening.”
About the area
North Knollwood is an established, tree-lined residential community situated in Cary, North Carolina, featuring mid-to-late 20th-century single-family homes on spacious lots. The neighborhood offers a quiet suburban refuge with close proximity to Cary's greenways, community parks, and shopping corridors along Chapel Hill Road and Maynard Road.
- Quiet Suburb
- Wooded & Leafy
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in North Knollwood
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 52/100
Cyclists can readily access Cary's extensive greenway network, including the nearby Black Creek Greenway, though dedicated bike-share stations are not present within the immediate neighborhood.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Extremely low violent and property crime rates significantly below national and state averages
- High median household incomes, strong homeownership, and negligible housing vacancy
- Quiet, mature residential streets with minimal through traffic
Cons
- Suburban layout necessitates a vehicle for most shopping, dining, and daily errands
- Incomplete sidewalk network on some interior residential cul-de-sacs
- Limited street lighting on secondary interior streets after dark
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually nonexistent in North Knollwood and surrounding residential subdivisions, with no encampments or panhandling present.
What North Knollwood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents walking dogs and morning joggers under the mature tree canopy.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Low-traffic and calm, feeling completely secure for outdoor activities or neighborhood walks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential ambiance as families return home, remaining very safe for evening strolls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely low-activity and tranquil, with very little vehicle or foot traffic and negligible safety concerns.
Transit, parking and getting around
GoCary provides localized bus service along major perimeter corridors like Maynard Road and Chapel Hill Road (Route 3 and Route 4), while regional rail access is available 5 to 10 minutes away at the Cary Amtrak Station in downtown Cary.
Driveways and private garages provide abundant parking throughout the neighborhood, and free, unrestricted curb parking is readily available along residential streets.
Things to do in North Knollwood
- Stroll or jog through the neighborhood's quiet, shaded residential loops
- Connect to the nearby Black Creek Greenway for extended walking and cycling
- Visit Godbold Park nearby for skateboarding, tennis, dog parks, and open green space
Local favorites
- La Farm Bakery · Bakery / Cafe · 4.6★ (3200)Acclaimed artisanal French bakery and cafe famous for traditional sourdough and brunch specialties.
- Ashworth Drugs · Pharmacy & Soda Fountain · 4.7★ (510)Historic downtown Cary staple featuring a vintage soda fountain serving hot dogs, milkshakes, and sodas.
- Bosphorus Restaurant · Turkish & Mediterranean · 4.7★ (1150)Casual, highly rated family-owned spot serving authentic Turkish flatbreads, kebabs, and baklava.
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.