Is Oakdale safe?
High Point, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Oakdale as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Oakdale
“Go with care. Oakdale is a modest, historically working-class residential and former mill community that is generally peaceful during the day. While violent crime is lower than in central High Point, visitors should remain mindful of occasional property crime and poorly lit residential streets after dark.”
About the area
Oakdale is a historic mill village and residential neighborhood located on the eastern fringe of High Point along the Deep River. The area is defined by compact mid-century and older cottages, industrial heritage, and quiet residential blocks bordered by dense woodlands. It functions primarily as a quiet bedroom pocket rather than a commercial destination.
- Historic Mill Village
- Quiet Residential
- Working-Class
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Oakdale
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 32/100
There is no bike-share program in Oakdale, and dedicated on-street bike lanes are absent; cyclists must share narrow two-lane roadways or head north to connect with the Bicentennial Greenway.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower rates of violent crime compared to downtown and west High Point corridors
- Tight-knit, quiet residential character with low through-traffic
- Close proximity to outdoor recreation along the Deep River and Oak Hollow Lake areas
Cons
- Elevated local poverty rates and lower median household incomes relative to Guilford County
- Limited street lighting and lack of continuous sidewalks on residential streets
- Susceptibility to isolated property theft, vehicle break-ins, and nuisance crimes
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in Oakdale itself, with unhoused populations and support services primarily concentrated closer to downtown High Point.
What Oakdale is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm as residents commute, making it safe for morning jogs or dog walks along neighborhood roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and low-key with modest local traffic and standard suburban daytime safety.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Settles down quickly; residential side streets become very dark, requiring basic situational awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally sleepy, though limited illumination and occasional property prowling mean walking alone late at night is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by High Point Transit System (HPTS), though direct fixed-route coverage in Oakdale is sparse, requiring a drive or walk toward major arterial roads to catch connections to the Broad Avenue Terminal.
Parking is abundant and free throughout the area, consisting of private residential driveways, open business surface lots, and unrestricted on-street parking.
Things to do in Oakdale
- Explore the historic Oakdale Cotton Mill area and surrounding 19th-century mill village housing
- Take a nature walk or fish along nearby access points of the Deep River corridor
- Visit the nearby High Point City Lake Park for boating, mini-golf, and paved walking paths
Local favorites
- Oakdale Grocery & Grill · Diner / Convenience · 4.3★ (115)A longstanding neighborhood spot serving classic Southern breakfast plates and quick lunches.
- Black Powder Smokehouse · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.7★ (1420)Popular nearby destination specializing in slow-smoked brisket, pork, and scratch-made sides.
- Full Moon Oyster Bar · Seafood Restaurant · 4.5★ (980)Lively nearby raw bar and grill known for fresh oysters, seafood steamers, and casual vibes.
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.