Is Randolph Hills safe?
Kensington, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Randolph Hills as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Randolph Hills
“Go. Randolph Hills is a peaceful, well-established mid-century residential enclave in Montgomery County characterized by minimal violent crime and quiet suburban streets. Visitors face very few safety concerns beyond standard precautions against opportunistic vehicle theft.”
About the area
Randolph Hills is a quiet, tree-shaded mid-20th-century subdivision located between Kensington and North Bethesda. Composed primarily of single-family ramblers and split-level homes bordering Rock Creek Park, it provides a relaxed neighborhood atmosphere with easy access to regional parks and neighboring commercial corridors.
- Suburban Residential
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Quiet / Peaceful
Walking and biking in Randolph Hills
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 52/100
The neighborhood directly borders the paved Rock Creek Trail, offering continuous off-road cycling connections north to Rockville and south toward Washington, D.C. Capital Bikeshare stations are available nearby at regional transit hubs.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to national and state averages.
- Strong economic foundation with high homeownership rates and household incomes well above the national median.
- Direct neighborhood pedestrian access to the extensive Rock Creek Stream Valley park system.
Cons
- Isolated residential layout requires a car for almost all dining, grocery, and retail needs.
- Occasional crimes of opportunity, such as unlocked vehicle break-ins along residential curbs.
- Limited street lighting along some interior residential cul-de-sacs at night.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically nonexistent within the residential core of Randolph Hills, with occasional panhandling limited to busy retail intersections along peripheral corridors like Rockville Pike.
What Randolph Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents walking dogs, jogging toward park trails, and departing for morning commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet throughout residential streets with children playing outside and minimal through traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Subdued suburban vibe with families outdoors and neighbors walking; fully safe for casual strolls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very quiet and dark with minimal pedestrian activity, remaining safe though quiet suburban awareness is advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
Montgomery County Ride On buses (such as Route 38) service the neighborhood perimeters, providing connections to the MARC train (Kensington or Garrett Park stations) and the North Bethesda Metro Station (Red Line, approximately 1.5 to 2 miles away).
Free and abundant curbside residential parking throughout the neighborhood with no metered zones or parking permits required for visitors.
Things to do in Randolph Hills
- Hike, run, or bike along the scenic multi-use paths of the Rock Creek Stream Valley Trail.
- Enjoy outdoor sports, playgrounds, and picnic areas at Randolph Hills Local Park.
- Browse the historic storefronts, vintage shops, and local dining on Kensington's Antique Row just minutes away.
Local favorites
- Frankly...Pizza! · Pizza Restaurant · 4.6★ (1150)Acclaimed neighborhood pizzeria serving artisanal wood-fired pies and local craft beer in nearby Old Town Kensington.
- 7 Locks Brewing · Brewery & Taproom · 4.7★ (460)Popular nearby craft brewery with a spacious taproom, food trucks, and a variety of house-brewed ales.
- Java Nation · Coffee Shop & Cafe · 4.5★ (1420)Lively regional roastery offering specialty coffees, breakfast fare, and Latin-inspired lunch plates.
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.