Is West Six Forks safe?
Raleigh, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates West Six Forks as “Go”.
Gogo's take on West Six Forks
“Go. West Six Forks is an established, affluent suburban district in North Raleigh characterized by exceptionally low rates of violent crime and quiet, leafy residential streets. Visitors face minimal safety risks outside of standard precautions in retail parking areas.”
About the area
West Six Forks is a sprawling, peaceful suburban community in North Raleigh featuring established mid-century to modern subdivisions, greenway trails, and suburban shopping centers. It offers an easygoing, family-oriented environment with quick vehicular access to North Hills, Crabtree Valley, and Research Triangle Park.
- Suburban / Leafy
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet & Residential
Walking and biking in West Six Forks
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 42/100
The neighborhood provides direct access to the Shelley Lake Trail and Mine Creek Trail sections of the Capital Area Greenway system, though dedicated on-street bike lanes on major arterials like Six Forks Road are sparse.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly below both Raleigh municipal and national averages
- High median household incomes exceeding $100,000 paired with very low poverty rates under 5%
- Well-maintained single-family neighborhoods with high homeownership and active community presence
Cons
- Isolated vehicle break-ins occasionally reported in busy commercial strip mall parking lots
- Car-dependent roadway network with high-speed arterial corridors lacking consistent sidewalks
- Limited street lighting along interior subdivision streets during nighttime hours
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in West Six Forks, with no established encampments or major service shelters in the area, and only very occasional panhandling near major commercial intersections.
What West Six Forks is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers, dog walkers, and commuters heading out along major thoroughfares.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with steady retail traffic around shopping centers and quiet neighborhood streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential winding down with moderate dining crowds at neighborhood strip malls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and tranquil with virtually no foot traffic, remaining exceptionally safe.
Transit, parking and getting around
GoRaleigh provides local bus service along key arterials via Route 8 (Six Forks) and Route 23X, though frequencies are moderate. Raleigh lacks a light rail network, and the neighborhood is primarily designed for private vehicles.
Parking is abundant and entirely free across surface lots at commercial plazas, neighborhood parks, and on residential side streets.
Things to do in West Six Forks
- Explore the wooded trails and scenic shoreline along the Shelley Lake Park loop trail
- Browse local shops and grab casual bites at the Six Forks Station Shopping Center
- Play tennis, pickleball, or enjoy the open green spaces at Baileywick Road Park nearby
Local favorites
- Margaux's Restaurant · Fine Dining Restaurant · 4.6★ (1250)Longtime upscale establishment offering an ever-changing menu of creative Southern and French fusion cuisine.
- Snoopy's Hot Dogs & More · Fast Food / Hot Dog Stand · 4.4★ (580)Iconic local counter-service spot serving classic Carolina-style hot dogs, burgers, and crinkle-cut fries.
- Sassool · Mediterranean Restaurant · 4.7★ (1600)Family-run Mediterranean cafe and bakery serving fresh salads, dips, kabobs, and freshly baked pita.
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.