Is Spencerville Knolls safe?
Burtonsville, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Spencerville Knolls as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Spencerville Knolls
“Go. Spencerville Knolls is a peaceful, upper-middle-class suburban residential community in eastern Montgomery County with very low violent crime rates. Visitors will find a quiet, family-oriented environment with no significant safety concerns.”
About the area
Spencerville Knolls is a leafy, established residential enclave located just west of central Burtonsville along MD-198. The neighborhood features well-maintained single-family homes, mature tree cover, and quick access to nearby outdoor recreation areas along the Patuxent watershed.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet / Residential
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Spencerville Knolls
Walk score: 18/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There is no local bike-share network, and cycling is mostly limited to neighborhood side streets due to high vehicular speeds and lack of dedicated bike lanes on MD-198.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly below state and national averages.
- High homeownership rate with stable, well-maintained housing stock and strong median household incomes.
- Quiet residential streets with minimal through-traffic.
Cons
- Extremely car-dependent with very few sidewalks connecting directly to commercial corridors.
- Arterial traffic congestion and occasional reckless driving along nearby Spencerville Road (MD-198).
- Limited street lighting on interior residential cul-de-sacs at night.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in this residential area; minimal panhandling is occasionally observed further east at commercial shopping plaza intersections near US-29.
What Spencerville Knolls is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very calm with residents walking dogs, exercising, or commuting out toward US-29 and I-95.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and secure, with minimal street activity outside of delivery vehicles and occasional local drivers.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Peaceful neighborhood atmosphere with families outdoors in private yards; well-lit driveways ensure a safe setting.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely low activity with pitch-dark residential roads, remaining safe though unlit stretches require awareness.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is served by Montgomery County Ride On buses along MD-198, with regional connections via the Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Orange Line at the nearby Burtonsville Park and Ride (about 1.5 miles east).
Driveway and private garage parking are standard throughout the neighborhood, and street parking is free and abundant on residential side roads without meters or permits.
Things to do in Spencerville Knolls
- Explore nature trails and birdwatching at nearby Patuxent River State Park.
- Launch a kayak or picnic along the scenic shores of Rocky Gorge Reservoir.
- Visit local farm stands and seasonal nurseries scattered along MD-198 and Good Hope Road.
Local favorites
- Cuba de Ayer · Cuban Restaurant · 4.6★ (1280)Acclaimed local restaurant serving traditional Cuban classics like ropa vieja and lechon asado.
- Seibel's Restaurant & Upstairs · American Diner · 4.3★ (890)Longstanding local staple known for hearty homestyle breakfasts, burgers, and house-made ice cream.
- Chapala Restaurant · Mexican / Tex-Mex · 4.4★ (940)Casual, family-friendly destination featuring traditional Mexican cuisine and margaritas.
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.