Is Wake Forest University safe?
Winston-Salem, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Wake Forest University as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Wake Forest University
“Go. Wake Forest University and its adjacent Reynolda district are among the safest, most affluent, and best-maintained areas in Winston-Salem. Visitors will encounter a calm, secure collegiate environment with active private security and minimal violent crime risk.”
About the area
Wake Forest University's Reynolda Campus features stately Georgian Revival architecture surrounded by mature woodlands and manicured lawns in northwest Winston-Salem. The neighborhood blends high-level academic facilities with the adjacent historic Reynolda Estate, gardens, and boutique village shops.
- Collegiate & Academic
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Scenic & Green
- Upscale & Quiet
Walking and biking in Wake Forest University
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 52/100
Campus features internal paved paths and direct trail links to Reynolda Gardens, but connections to Winston-Salem's broader greenway network require navigating hilly, car-heavy roads with limited dedicated bike infrastructure.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Extremely low rates of violent crime bolstered by 24/7 Wake Forest University Police patrols and emergency call boxes
- Surrounded by affluent residential enclaves with high home values and well-maintained public spaces
- High pedestrian safety on campus with wide paved paths and restricted vehicular access on central quads
Cons
- Periodic opportunistic property crimes such as bicycle theft and unattended item theft in public study spaces
- Strict campus parking enforcement with limited free parking for non-permit holders
- Surrounding arterial roads like University Parkway and Polo Road can be hazardous for cyclists and pedestrians
Homelessness: Visible homelessness and street encampments are not a presence on campus grounds or in Reynolda Village due to active security management; shelter services and outreach facilities are located several miles southeast in downtown Winston-Salem.
What Wake Forest University is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very calm and scenic with students, faculty, and local runners moving across the quads and garden trails.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Vibrant and busy with academic foot traffic, museum visitors, and outdoor dining at Reynolda Village.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Peaceful and pleasant, with well-lit campus pathways and active dining spots drawing a safe crowd.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and secure, with campus police patrols maintaining high visibility across residential quads and parking lots.
Transit, parking and getting around
Winston-Salem Transit Authority (WSTA) provides local bus service to the area via routes along University Parkway and Reynolda Road connecting to the downtown Clark Campbell Transportation Center, though Winston-Salem lacks passenger rail transit.
Campus visitor parking requires registration or payment at designated visitor lots and meters; Reynolda Village provides ample free surface lot parking for shoppers and diners.
Things to do in Wake Forest University
- Tour the historic 1917 estate and American art collections at Reynolda House Museum of American Art
- Walk through the formal greenhouses, rose gardens, and woodland trails at Reynolda Gardens
- Stroll across Hearn Plaza (the Quad) to photograph the iconic Wait Chapel
Local favorites
- Reynolda House Museum of American Art · Art Museum · 4.8★ (750)Historic estate of Katharine and R.J. Reynolds showcasing an extensive collection of American masterworks.
- Village Tavern · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (1420)Established upscale-casual neighborhood restaurant offering classic American dishes and outdoor patio seating.
- Dough-Joe's Doughnuts & Coffee · Bakery & Cafe · 4.8★ (530)Artisanal bakery in Reynolda Village serving made-to-order cake doughnuts, pastries, and specialty espresso.
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.