Is Rosewood safe?
Columbia, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Rosewood as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Rosewood
“Go. Rosewood is an inviting, active residential and commercial neighborhood that is generally very safe for visitors. While typical urban property crimes like vehicle break-ins happen occasionally, daytime and evening exploration of its parks and local dining spots poses minimal concern.”
About the area
Rosewood is a charming, tree-lined neighborhood just south of downtown Columbia, known for its craftsman-style bungalows, community parks, and local dining along Rosewood Drive. It features a welcoming mix of young professionals, college students, and longtime families centered around hubs like Owens Field.
- Tree-Lined Residential
- Community-Oriented
- Craft Beer & Pubs
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Rosewood
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 58/100
Residential side streets offer relatively calm cycling, with direct access to trails around Owens Field, though Rosewood Drive itself lacks dedicated bike lanes and carries fast motor traffic.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower violent crime rate compared to Columbia's citywide average
- Active neighborhood association and strong community engagement
- High concentration of recreational amenities centered around Owens Field Park
Cons
- Opportunistic property crime, including car break-ins, occurs along major corridors and near rental clusters
- High-speed vehicular traffic along Rosewood Drive presents pedestrian safety challenges
- Pockets of aging rental infrastructure and occasional weekend noise from student rentals
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is uncommon within the interior residential streets, though individuals experiencing homelessness are occasionally seen along major commercial intersections and transit stops on Rosewood Drive.
What Rosewood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant, with joggers, dog walkers, and commuters navigating quiet residential side streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active and safe around Owens Field Park and commercial plazas with steady neighborhood patron traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Lively around neighborhood eateries and breweries with a safe, relaxed social atmosphere.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet across residential streets; standard vigilance is advised along darker blocks and arterial parking lots.
Transit, parking and getting around
The COMET (Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority) serves the neighborhood via Route 28 (Rosewood), providing local bus connections to downtown Columbia and the University of South Carolina campus.
Free on-street parking is readily available throughout residential avenues, and businesses and parks offer ample free surface lot parking.
Things to do in Rosewood
- Explore the disc golf course, skate park, and soccer fields at Owens Field Park
- Enjoy fresh craft beer and wood-fired pizza inside the historic aviation hangar at Hunter-Gatherer Brewery
- Browse local organic foods, specialty goods, and deli sandwiches at Rosewood Market & Deli
Local favorites
- Hunter-Gatherer Brewery at the Curtiss-Wright Hangar · Brewery · 4.6★ (960)A spacious craft brewery and taproom housed in a restored 1929 airport hangar overlooking Owens Field.
- Rockaway Athletic Club · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (1150)A landmark local tavern known for legendary pimento cheeseburgers, crinkle-cut fries, and relaxed vibes.
- Rosewood Market & Deli · Grocery & Deli · 4.6★ (530)A long-running neighborhood natural foods market serving fresh deli sandwiches, smoothies, and hot lunch specials.
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.