Is Parklawn safe?
Annandale, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Parklawn as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Parklawn
“Go. Parklawn is a quiet, well-established mid-century suburban community in Fairfax County that provides a secure, family-friendly environment. Visitors will find leafy residential streets and easy access to nearby parks with minimal safety concerns.”
About the area
Parklawn is an older residential neighborhood in eastern Annandale characterized by mature trees, 1950s brick ramblers, and split-level homes. It functions primarily as a quiet bedroom community bordering Holmes Run Stream Valley Park, offering easy connectivity to Northern Virginia's major commuting corridors.
- Suburban Quiet
- Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Parklawn
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 42/100
While Capital Bikeshare stations are sparse directly in the interior, cyclists have immediate access to the Holmes Run Trail, which connects to regional multi-use trail networks heading toward Alexandria.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than both national and state averages, consistent with Fairfax County trends.
- High rates of homeownership and long-term residency foster a tight-knit, well-maintained community.
- Median household incomes comfortably exceed $100,000 with very low neighborhood poverty and vacancy rates.
- Direct neighborhood access to extensive stream valley greenways and parkland.
Cons
- Occasional vehicle break-ins and opportunistic property theft along residential curbs.
- Lacks sidewalks on many interior streets, forcing pedestrians to walk along roadway shoulders.
- Heavy commuter cut-through traffic along periphery arterials during peak rush hours.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within the residential streets of Parklawn, with occasional individuals noticed only near major commercial transit intersections outside the neighborhood boundaries.
What Parklawn is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with neighbors walking dogs and commuters heading toward DC or the Pentagon.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with standard suburban delivery traffic and families utilizing the neighborhood parks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pleasant and safe for residential evening strolls, though lighting can be limited under heavy tree cover.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and tranquil with virtually no foot traffic; remains safe, but street lighting is sparse.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by Fairfax Connector and WMATA Metrobus, with routes connecting to the East Falls Church and Alexandria Metrorail stations. The nearest rail stations (Van Dorn St or East Falls Church) require a 10-to-15-minute bus ride or drive.
Parking is exceptionally easy, with free and ample curbside street parking throughout the neighborhood as well as private residential driveways.
Things to do in Parklawn
- Walk or jog along the scenic wooded trails of the Holmes Run Stream Valley Park.
- Relax, play sports, or use the playground facilities at Glasgow Park.
- Explore the vibrant Korean culinary scene and international bakeries in downtown Annandale just minutes away.
Local favorites
- Breeze Bakery Cafe · Bakery / Cafe · 4.5★ (1650)A popular multi-level Korean bakery and cafe serving artisanal pastries, bingsoo, and specialty coffee nearby.
- Kogiya Korean BBQ · Korean Restaurant · 4.6★ (2100)High-energy tabletop barbecue spot serving premium meats and authentic banchan just up the road.
- Toppings Pizza · Pizza Restaurant · 4.4★ (320)Neighborhood favorite counter serving classic hand-tossed pizzas, subs, and wings.
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.