Is South Side safe?
Winston-Salem, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates South Side as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on South Side
“Go with care. South Side offers vibrant, authentic local dining and proximity to historic hubs, but safety conditions vary significantly block to block. Visitors should remain alert, particularly along commercial stretches and after dark.”
Local news reports sporadic shots-fired incidents and property crimes along the Waughtown and Sprague Street commercial corridors.
About the area
South Side is an established, culturally diverse Winston-Salem neighborhood located just south of Old Salem and downtown. The area features a mix of early-to-mid 20th-century residential housing, industrial sites, and bustling Hispanic culinary corridors along Waughtown and Sprague Streets.
- Culturally Diverse
- Working-Class
- Car-Dependent
- Developing
Walking and biking in South Side
Walk score: 51/100 · Bike score: 44/100
While on-street protected bike lanes are scarce, the neighborhood sits adjacent to the paved Salem Creek Greenway, providing east-west multi-use trail connections without formal bike-share stations.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Rich concentration of authentic panaderias, taquerias, and international grocers
- Convenient access to Salem Creek Greenway and nearby Washington Park
- Active grassroots community development and revitalization initiatives
Cons
- Violent and property crime rates trend higher than the Winston-Salem citywide average
- Pockets of elevated poverty and visible housing stock vacancy
- Uneven street lighting and sidewalk maintenance on residential side streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present along main arterial intersections and near bus stops, though permanent encampments are uncommon within residential blocks.
What South Side is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active with daily commuters, bus riders, and local business openings; generally peaceful and safe for daylight errands.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy commercial corridors with steady foot and vehicular traffic around markets and eateries.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down aside from dining spots; increased caution is advised around unlit intersections.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and isolated in residential areas, with elevated risks of street crime and property offenses; walking alone is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Winston-Salem Transit Authority (WSTA) operates several local bus routes through the neighborhood, including Routes 80, 89, and 97, connecting riders to the downtown Clark Campbell Transportation Center.
Free street parking is widely available throughout residential streets, and commercial destinations provide dedicated surface lots at no charge.
Things to do in South Side
- Sample traditional Mexican pastries and street tacos along the Waughtown Street corridor
- Access the Salem Creek Greenway for walking or cycling toward downtown and Salem Lake
- Explore the historic residential architecture bordering the Washington Park district
Local favorites
- Taqueria El Paisano · Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (320)Lauded local counter-service eatery serving authentic street tacos, tortas, and house-made salsas.
- Panaderia Las Delicias · Bakery · 4.6★ (210)Vibrant traditional bakery known for fresh conchas, pastries, and savory breads.
- Kermit's Hot Dog House · Classic American Eatery · 4.5★ (890)Longtime south-side staple dishing out Carolina-style hot dogs, burgers, and breakfast.
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.