Is Westland safe?
Columbus, Ohio · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Westland as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Westland
“Go with care. While Westland is a functional working-class suburban district with great multicultural dining options, elevated property crime and commercial-corridor nuisances along West Broad Street require situational awareness.”
OhioHealth and local developers continue revitalization efforts at the demolished Westland Mall site to replace longstanding commercial blight with modern medical and mixed-use facilities.
About the area
Westland is an expansive, car-centric area in far west Columbus characterized by single-family subdivisions, strip centers, and the ongoing redevelopment of the former Westland Mall site. Visitors typically come through for diverse international cuisine, shopping centers along Hilliard Rome Road, or proximity to the Hollywood Casino.
- Car-Dependent
- Strip-Mall Commercial
- Working-Class Suburb
- Diverse Food Hub
Walking and biking in Westland
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 35/100
On-street cycling on major arterials is dangerous due to high speeds, but the paved Camp Chase Trail is accessible just south of the neighborhood via Sullivant Avenue.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower violent crime rates in the interior residential subdivisions compared to inner-city neighborhoods
- High household vehicle ownership and easy highway access via I-270 and I-70
- Rich concentration of authentic international eateries, particularly Somali and Mexican cuisines
Cons
- Elevated rates of motor vehicle theft, larceny, and catalytic converter theft in commercial parking lots
- Pockets of blight, illicit activity, and police calls clustered around budget motels along West Broad Street
- Hostile pedestrian environment along multi-lane arterial roads without consistent sidewalk connectivity
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present along West Broad Street, where individuals occasionally panhandle near highway off-ramps, gas stations, and surrounding extended-stay motels.
What Westland is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active with commuters and delivery vehicles navigating West Broad Street; very low safety concern for standard daytime activities.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy retail plazas and strip malls operate smoothly, though drivers should lock cars and hide valuables in parking lots.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Dining hubs remain lively and accessible, while pedestrian activity diminishes rapidly away from major intersections.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Commercial strips around budget motels and gas stations see increased loitering and property crime; walking outside of well-lit destinations is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) serves the corridor primarily via Route 10 (West Broad Street Frequent Network) and Route 9, offering straight direct service into Downtown Columbus.
Parking is exceptionally easy and free, with vast strip mall and plaza surface lots, as well as ample residential street parking in subdivisions.
Things to do in Westland
- Try authentic street tacos and tortas at the diverse immigrant-owned eateries lining West Broad Street and Georgesville Road
- Visit the nearby Hollywood Casino Columbus for gaming, live entertainment, and dining
- Access the nearby Camp Chase Trail for long-distance paved cycling connecting to the Ohio to Erie Trail
Local favorites
- Los Guachos Taqueria · Mexican Restaurant · 4.6★ (2650)Celebrated taqueria famous for its authentic spit-roasted Al Pastor pork tacos and gringas.
- La Super Torta · Mexican Bakery & Cafe · 4.6★ (1150)Casual counter-service joint offering massive Mexican tortas, fresh pastries, and authentic regional dishes.
- Hollywood Casino Columbus · Casino & Entertainment · 4.1★ (12800)Sprawling gaming complex on the edge of Westland featuring slots, table games, multiple restaurants, and event spaces.
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.
Add this score to your site
Writing about Westland? Copy this code to show its live safety score on your blog or listing.