Is Popes safe?
Austin, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Popes as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Popes
“Go. Popes is a quiet, predominantly residential North Austin neighborhood that provides a safe and tranquil environment for visitors. While standard vehicle break-ins can occur, violent crime is rare, and the area benefits from its proximity to major tech hubs and entertainment districts.”
About the area
Popes is an established residential neighborhood in North Austin characterized by mature trees, single-family homes, and mid-rise apartment communities. Its prime location near Burnet Road and Metric Boulevard gives visitors easy access to local breweries, Q2 Stadium, and The Domain while retaining a peaceful suburban feel.
- Suburban Pocket
- Quiet / Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Near Entertainment Hub
Walking and biking in Popes
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 58/100
Quiet residential streets are easy to bike, with nearby connections along Metric Boulevard leading north toward the Northern Walnut Creek Trail.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low rate of violent crime relative to Austin urban averages
- Close proximity to major North Austin dining, brewery districts, and tech campuses
- Stable neighborhood with active neighborhood association and maintained homes
Cons
- Occasional property crime and vehicle break-ins typical of suburban corridors
- Lacks immediate walkability to retail within the interior residential streets
- Heavy arterial traffic along bordering thoroughfares during rush hours
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential core, with occasional individuals or small encampments seen along major arterial corridors such as North Lamar or highway underpasses nearby.
What Popes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with locals walking dogs and commuting through tree-lined streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and low-stress, with minimal foot traffic and broad safety throughout the neighborhood.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and residential, feeling very secure as residents return home and head to nearby dining hubs.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very quiet and generally safe, though standard nighttime vigilance is advised due to darker residential stretches.
Transit, parking and getting around
CapMetro serves the perimeter via bus routes along Metric Blvd and Burnet Rd, with access to the CapMetro Rail Red Line at the nearby Kramer and McKalla stations about 1 to 2 miles away.
Street parking is free, abundant, and unrestricted on residential streets, and neighboring strip centers and venues provide ample surface parking.
Things to do in Popes
- Catch a Major League Soccer match or concert at nearby Q2 Stadium
- Sample craft beers and tour local taprooms along the North Burnet/Metric brewery belt
- Hike and mountain bike the scenic paved and dirt paths at Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
Local favorites
- Turnstile Coffee Beer and Spirits · Cafe & Bar · 4.6★ (430)A lively neighborhood gathering spot serving artisan coffee, craft beers, cocktails, and smash burgers.
- Oskar Blues Brewery Austin · Brewery · 4.6★ (1150)A spacious industrial taproom and live music venue featuring flagship craft ales and food trucks.
- Pho Dan · Vietnamese Restaurant · 4.5★ (870)A neighborhood staple dishing up steaming bowls of traditional pho and Vietnamese specialties.
Neighborhoods near Popes
Common questions about Popes
Is Popes safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Popes a good place to live?
On safety, Popes scores 80/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Popes?
Walk score 42/100 and bike score 58/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Popes are safer?
Morsland Place (82) score higher nearby.
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