Is Vienna safe?
Vienna, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Vienna as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Vienna
“Go. Vienna is one of the safest, most prosperous communities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, boasting violent crime rates far below national and regional averages. Visitors can explore the town center, parks, and dining spots with peace of mind at virtually any hour.”
About the area
Vienna is an affluent, tree-lined Northern Virginia suburb centered around historic Church Street and commercial Maple Avenue. It blends a close-knit, small-town atmosphere with upscale residential neighborhoods and direct access to the regional W&OD Trail.
- Family-Friendly
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Affluent Suburban
- Community-Focused
Walking and biking in Vienna
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 67/100
The 45-mile paved W&OD Trail cuts straight through the town center, offering world-class cycling access and local bike repair stations, though municipal dock-based bike-share networks are limited.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low rates of violent and property crime compared to both state and national benchmarks.
- Very high socioeconomic stability with median household incomes surpassing $180,000 and near-zero poverty.
- Well-maintained municipal public spaces, including the Town Green and W&OD Trail corridor.
- Dedicated local town police department providing rapid response and proactive neighborhood patrols.
Cons
- High-speed vehicular traffic and pedestrian-unfriendly crossings along Maple Avenue (Route 123).
- Occasional opportunistic property offenses, such as theft from unlocked vehicles at night.
- Limited walkability in outer residential pockets requiring a vehicle for most errands.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Vienna. There are no encampments or recurring panhandling clusters in the commercial or residential districts.
What Vienna is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers on the W&OD trail, school commutes, and patrons visiting local coffee shops with zero safety friction.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Bustling with shopping and dining along Maple Avenue and Church Street in a relaxed, secure environment.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and welcoming as families gather on the Town Green and restaurant patios; exceptionally safe for walking.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Calm and very quiet with virtually empty residential streets that remain safe, though sidewalk lighting varies off main corridors.
Transit, parking and getting around
Fairfax Connector and WMATA Metrobus routes serve the town's major arteries, connecting directly to the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metrorail station (Orange Line), located approximately 2 miles southwest of downtown.
Parking is abundant and free, with dedicated public municipal lots on Church Street and Mill Street alongside ample private customer strip-mall lots along Maple Avenue.
Things to do in Vienna
- Bike, run, or stroll along the paved Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad Regional Park trail.
- Browse local boutiques, historic buildings, and the Freeman Store and Museum along Church Street.
- Enjoy outdoor community concerts and seasonal events at the Vienna Town Green amphitheater.
Local favorites
- Vienna Inn · Classic American Tavern · 4.5★ (2250)A legendary local watering hole serving famous chili dogs and draft beer in a nostalgic, no-frills setting.
- Caboose Tavern · Craft Brewery & Kitchen · 4.5★ (1820)Popular microbrewery and gastropub situated directly along the W&OD Trail with farm-to-table pub fare.
- Caffè Amouri · Artisan Coffee Roaster · 4.6★ (970)Community-focused small-batch coffee roaster offering specialty espresso drinks, pastries, and acoustic music.
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.