Is St. Marys safe?
Columbus, Ohio · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates St. Marys as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on St. Marys
“Go with care. St. Marys offers a charming, historic residential atmosphere immediately adjacent to German Village, making it a very pleasant area to explore on foot during daylight hours. While violent crime rates are low compared to city averages, visitors should exercise standard urban awareness after dark, particularly regarding vehicle break-ins and property crimes on edge corridors.”
About the area
St. Marys is a compact, historic residential pocket in South Columbus anchored by the iconic spires of St. Mary Catholic Church and historic 19th-century brick architecture. Blending seamlessly into German Village and Schumacher Place, the neighborhood features quiet tree-lined streets, local bistros, and easy access to downtown Columbus.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Walkable Dining Hub
- Quiet Residential
Walking and biking in St. Marys
Walk score: 81/100 · Bike score: 74/100
Convenient access to CoGo bike-share stations nearby, with easy connections west to the Scioto Greenway Trail.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to broader South Side Columbus districts
- High rates of owner occupancy and strong property reinvestment tied to the German Village historic zone
- Exceptional neighborhood cohesion with active community maintenance and preservation
Cons
- Opportunistic property crime, especially vehicle prowls and package theft, remains a frequent nuisance
- Close proximity to higher-incident corridors along East Livingston Avenue and Parsons Avenue
- Tight historic streets with restricted sightlines and narrow pedestrian clearances
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the immediate residential core, though occasional individuals experiencing homelessness or asking for assistance may be encountered along the East Livingston Avenue commercial edge.
What St. Marys is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, filled with residents walking dogs and patrons heading to local bakeries.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and lively with pedestrian foot traffic exploring neighborhood streets and local cafes.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Warm and welcoming around dining establishments, though quieter side streets dim noticeably.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally quiet, but visitors should stay alert and stick to well-lit main thoroughfares to avoid opportunistic property crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) serves the neighborhood directly via frequent bus routes along South High Street (Line 1) and South 3rd/4th Streets (Line 8), connecting quickly to Downtown Columbus.
Street parking is primarily free but can be tight on narrow historic residential blocks; pay-by-app meters and small surface lots are available along primary commercial corridors.
Things to do in St. Marys
- Admire the soaring 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture of historic St. Mary Catholic Church
- Stroll along the historic brick-paved sidewalks and view preserved turn-of-the-century worker cottages
- Take a short walk to adjacent Schiller Park to enjoy the gardens, walking paths, and community events
Local favorites
- The Sycamore · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (780)Upscale neighborhood tavern serving refined farm-to-table American fare and craft cocktails.
- Fox in the Snow Cafe · Bakery & Cafe · 4.7★ (2350)Beloved rustic cafe famed for decadent pastries, gourmet egg sandwiches, and pour-over coffee.
- Chapman's Eat Market · Eclectic Restaurant · 4.8★ (690)Nationally recognized, vibrant eatery offering globally inspired, seasonal small 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.
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