Is North Six Forks safe?
Raleigh, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates North Six Forks as “Go”.
Gogo's take on North Six Forks
“Go. North Six Forks is an exceptionally safe, prosperous suburban corridor in North Raleigh with low violent crime rates and stable residential communities. Standard personal awareness is sufficient, though a vehicle is practically required to explore the area.”
About the area
North Six Forks is an established, affluent North Raleigh community known for its tranquil subdivisions, strip shopping centers, and lush green space. It provides a peaceful, family-oriented environment convenient to North Hills and the Research Triangle.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in North Six Forks
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 36/100
While major thoroughfares lack dedicated cycling infrastructure, the neighborhood offers direct off-road connectivity to the Capital Area Greenway System via Shelley Lake and Mine Creek trails.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are substantially lower than both state and national averages.
- Strong socioeconomic indicators, including high median household incomes and low poverty levels.
- Convenient access to the Capital Area Greenway System and scenic park amenities like Shelley Lake.
Cons
- Heavy suburban traffic on Six Forks Road creates hazards for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes, primarily vehicle break-ins in retail parking lots.
- Highly car-dependent layout with minimal nighttime entertainment or walkable retail clusters.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in North Six Forks, with only rare panhandling at major commercial intersections and no significant encampments in the area.
What North Six Forks is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and busy with local commuters and morning joggers along residential streets and greenway paths.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active with errand-runners and commercial traffic in shopping centers, feeling completely secure.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential feel with families and diners frequenting neighborhood restaurants without safety concerns.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Calm and quiet with very low foot traffic; neighborhood streets are peaceful and safe, though commercial lots are largely deserted.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by GoRaleigh with Route 8 providing service along Six Forks Road, though frequencies are limited and there is no passenger rail or BRT in this area.
Parking is exceptionally easy and universally free in large surface lots at every commercial center, park, and apartment complex.
Things to do in North Six Forks
- Walk, jog, or birdwatch along the paved 2-mile perimeter trail at Shelley Lake Park.
- Shop and sample regional and international foods across plazas at Six Forks and Strickland Roads.
- Play tennis, pickleball, or use the playground facilities at nearby Baileywick Road Park.
Local favorites
- Sassool · Mediterranean Restaurant · 4.7★ (2150)Popular counter-service cafe and market serving authentic Lebanese dishes, fresh pitas, and housemade dips.
- Milton's Pizza & Pasta - Six Forks · Pizza Restaurant · 4.4★ (1850)Longtime local staple celebrated for classic thick-crust pizzas, Italian comfort entrees, and a hearty lunch buffet.
- Sola Coffee Cafe · Coffee Shop · 4.7★ (1320)Beloved neighborhood gathering spot offering specialty espresso, gourmet toasts, and hot mini donuts.
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.