Is Virginia Square safe?
Arlington, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Virginia Square as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Virginia Square
“Go. Virginia Square is an exceptionally safe, affluent, and well-maintained urban corridor in Arlington. Visitors can comfortably explore on foot at almost any hour with minimal safety concerns beyond basic personal awareness.”
About the area
Situated between Clarendon and Ballston along the Orange and Silver Metro lines, Virginia Square is a balanced mix of high-rise living, institutional presence, and quiet residential blocks. It is anchored by George Mason University's Mason Square campus, the Arlington Central Library, and cultural institutions like MoCA Arlington.
- Safe & Quiet
- University-Adjacent
- Transit-Oriented
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Virginia Square
Walk score: 90/100 · Bike score: 84/100
Capital Bikeshare docks are abundant near the Metro and library, offering direct connections to the paved Custis Trail which feeds into the W&OD and Mount Vernon trails.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are extraordinarily low and well below national metropolitan baselines.
- Strong socioeconomic stability with median household incomes well over $130,000 and minimal poverty.
- Clean, heavily maintained public spaces with excellent municipal services and responsive policing.
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as bicycle theft and package theft in apartment lobbies.
- Heavier vehicular congestion along primary thoroughfares like Fairfax Drive and Washington Boulevard.
- Quiet late-night scene means streets can feel deserted after midnight compared to adjacent Clarendon.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in Virginia Square, with only sporadic panhandling observed near transit portals or library grounds and no entrenched encampments.
What Virginia Square is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Streets are lively with commuters walking to the Metro, students heading to class, and locals jogging through Quincy Park in a secure setting.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- A peaceful daytime rhythm prevails with open outdoor plazas, library patrons, and office workers grabbing lunch.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Well-lit sidewalks and bustling casual eateries make evening walks comfortable and completely secure.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets quiet down significantly after 11 PM; walking remains very safe, though standard caution is advised on darker residential side streets.
Transit, parking and getting around
The neighborhood is centered around the Virginia Square-GMU Metro station (Orange and Silver lines), providing direct access to Washington, D.C., supported by multiple Arlington Transit (ART) routes like ART 41 and 42.
Street parking consists of metered spaces along commercial corridors and strictly enforced residential permit zones, supplemented by underground public garages charging $10-$15 per day.
Things to do in Virginia Square
- View contemporary visual art exhibitions and artist studios inside the historic Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington (MoCA).
- Enjoy the green lawns, tennis courts, and playground at Quincy Park right next to the Arlington Central Library.
- Attend community lectures, events, or relax in the outdoor plazas at George Mason University's Mason Square campus.
Local favorites
- El Pollo Rico · Peruvian Restaurant · 4.4★ (3250)Legendary counter-serve institution famous for authentic charcoal-broiled Peruvian rotisserie chicken.
- Mala Tang · Sichuan Restaurant · 4.3★ (860)Modern dining spot known for customizable Sichuan hot pots, dry pots, and street-food appetizers.
- Mario's Pizza House · Pizza Restaurant · 4.2★ (720)Longstanding neighborhood staple serving classic thin-crust pizza, subs, and late-night eats since 1957.
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.