Is Wakefield safe?
Alexandria, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Wakefield as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Wakefield
“Go. Wakefield is an exceptionally quiet, safe, and affluent residential enclave in Alexandria's West End. Visitors can explore the nearby parks, trails, and dining corridors with very little concern for violent crime.”
About the area
Wakefield is a leafy, established suburban neighborhood characterized by well-kept single-family homes, mature tree canopies, and close proximity to nature preserves. It offers a tranquil residential atmosphere while providing easy highway access to both Old Town Alexandria and Washington, D.C.
- Suburban / Quiet
- Family-Friendly
- Leafy / Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Wakefield
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 53/100
Capital Bikeshare docks are located near nearby main corridors, with convenient access to the regional Holmes Run Trail connector.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Extremely low rates of violent crime and well-below-average property crime
- High median household incomes and high rates of homeownership
- Direct access to lush green spaces like Holmes Run Stream Valley and Dora Kelley Nature Park
- Quiet, low-traffic residential streets ideal for walking and jogging
Cons
- Primarily car-dependent with limited commercial retail inside the neighborhood itself
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle break-ins typical of suburban corridors
- Metro rail stations are not within easy walking distance
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Wakefield, with occasional unhoused individuals or panhandlers seen only near commercial intersections along Duke Street further south.
What Wakefield is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant as residents walk dogs and jog along quiet, tree-lined residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet and safe with light neighborhood traffic and occasional delivery vehicles.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and residential with families walking outside and excellent general safety.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely low activity and dark residential streets; feels very secure though standard situational awareness applies.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by Alexandria DASH and WMATA Metrobus, connecting residents to the Van Dorn Street and King Street-Old Town Metrorail stations (Blue and Yellow lines) located a short bus or drive away.
Parking is abundant and free along most residential streets and in private driveways, with no meter restrictions inside the neighborhood.
Things to do in Wakefield
- Hike or birdwatch along the tranquil paths of the adjacent Dora Kelley Nature Park
- Walk or run on the paved multi-use paths of the Holmes Run Stream Valley Trail
- Explore the nearby Winkler Botanical Preserve's hidden forest trails and ponds
Local favorites
- Port City Brewing Company · Brewery · 4.7★ (1150)Award-winning craft brewery nearby featuring an active taproom, tours, and food trucks.
- Indonesian Street Food (Satay Sarinah) · Indonesian Restaurant · 4.6★ (420)Unpretentious local favorite nearby serving authentic satay, rendang, and noodle dishes.
- Silver Diner · American Diner · 4.5★ (3200)Modernized classic diner offering farm-to-table comfort food and vegan-friendly options.
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.