Is North Winston safe?

Winston-Salem, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly

56out of 100

Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.

VibeLoco rates North Winston as “Caution”.

Gogo's take on North Winston

“Go with care. North Winston has notable sports and event venues around the coliseum corridor, but surrounding residential and commercial pockets experience elevated rates of property and violent crime. Stick to major event destinations during the day or during scheduled event hours and exercise caution after dark.”

Local news frequently reports occasional gun violence and property crime incidents along the Patterson Avenue and North Liberty corridors, prompting targeted Winston-Salem Police patrols.

About the area

North Winston is a mixed-use area encompassing historic industrial roots, working-class residential neighborhoods, and major athletic and entertainment complexes near Wake Forest University facilities. It is primarily automobile-oriented, centered around corridors like University Parkway, Patterson Avenue, and North Liberty Street.

Auto-Centric
Event Hub
Working-Class
Commercial Strips

Walking and biking in North Winston

Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 35/100

Dedicated cycling lanes are scarce along high-traffic corridors, and there are no direct municipal bike-share stations, making cycling practical mainly within neighborhood streets.

Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice

Pros

Home to major regional event hubs including the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds and LJVM Coliseum
Affordable dining spots and long-standing local comfort-food staples
Convenient vehicle access to US-52 and major thoroughfares heading into Downtown Winston-Salem

Cons

Property crime and violent crime rates are higher than Forsyth County and state averages
Elevated poverty rates and higher residential vacancy in several central census tracts
Sprawling, auto-centric street design with limited pedestrian infrastructure

Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present along busy commercial strips such as University Parkway and Patterson Avenue near bus shelters and budget motels, but large permanent encampments are uncommon.

What North Winston is like at each time of day

Morning · 5a – 11a: Active with commuters and work crews heading along commercial arteries; generally calm around main roads.
Afternoon · 11a – 5p: Busy commercial traffic around strip plazas, fast-food spots, and fairground facilities; safe if alert.
Evening · 5p – 10p: Lively during game days or fairground events, but side streets grow quiet and warrant heightened situational awareness.
Late night · 10p – 5a: Not recommended for walking, as quiet streets and isolated commercial lots see higher risks of illicit activity and robbery.

Transit, parking and getting around

Winston-Salem Transit Authority (WSTA) operates bus routes serving the area, including Routes 85 and 95 along University Parkway and Patterson Avenue, connecting to the Clark Campbell Transportation Center downtown.

Parking is abundant and largely free across vast surface lots at commercial plazas, event complexes, and residential side streets, though event venues charge paid parking during games.

Things to do in North Winston

Catch a Wake Forest Demon Deacons basketball game or a concert at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Attend the annual Carolina Classic Fair or weekend community events at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds
Watch college baseball games at David F. Couch Ballpark

Local favorites

Pulliams Barbeque · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.6★ (1250)
Historic roadside counter serving classic North Carolina pulled pork and toasted hot dogs since 1910.
Ted's Famous Chicken · Fast Food Restaurant · 4.4★ (920)
No-frills staple on Patterson Avenue known for seasoned fried chicken, tenders, and Southern sides.
Monte Del Rey · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (680)
Casual neighborhood Mexican eatery serving generous fajita platters, tacos, and margaritas.

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.