Is Wickford safe?
Kensington, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Wickford as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Wickford
“Go. Wickford is an exceptionally safe, affluent, and peaceful suburban enclave in Montgomery County. Visitors and residents can walk through the neighborhood at almost any hour with virtually no safety concerns.”
About the area
Wickford is a charming, tree-shaded residential community located in Kensington, Maryland, bordering Rock Creek Park and close to Bethesda. Characterized by well-maintained single-family homes and quiet streets, it offers a tranquil suburban atmosphere just outside Washington, D.C.
- Affluent Suburban
- Tree-Lined / Leafy
- Peaceful & Quiet
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Wickford
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 58/100
Cyclists have excellent direct connectivity to the Rock Creek Stream Valley Trail, though Capital Bikeshare docks are primarily located near Metro stations and commercial hubs rather than within the interior subdivision.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Extremely low violent and property crime rates typical of affluent Montgomery County suburbs
- High median household incomes well exceeding county averages with negligible poverty rates
- Direct neighborhood access to extensive trail systems and parkland along Rock Creek Park
- Well-maintained properties with high owner-occupancy and mature tree canopy
Cons
- Exclusively residential interior requiring a vehicle or bike to access most dining and retail
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle break-ins or package theft reported in surrounding Montgomery County suburbs
- Limited street lighting on purely residential cul-de-sacs and side streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Wickford, with no established encampments or regular panhandling in the neighborhood.
What Wickford is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with neighborhood runners, dog walkers, and commuters heading out along lush residential lanes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and calm with occasional delivery vehicles, children playing in yards, and walkers enjoying the tree canopy.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and safe with residents returning from work and families strolling through the quiet streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and dark with virtually no pedestrian or vehicular traffic, remaining very safe.
Transit, parking and getting around
Montgomery County Ride On buses (such as Route 33 and 34) serve nearby corridors like Connecticut Avenue and Cedar Lane. The Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station (Red Line) and the Kensington MARC commuter rail station are both within a 5- to 10-minute drive.
Street parking is widely available and free throughout the residential streets of Wickford, with private driveways standard for all residences.
Things to do in Wickford
- Hike, jog, or bike along the scenic paved paths of Rock Creek Stream Valley Trail
- Explore antique shops and local bakeries in historic downtown Kensington nearby
- Attend a world-class concert or music workshop at the nearby Music Center at Strathmore
Local favorites
- Dish & Dram · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (460)A neighborhood bistro in nearby Kensington serving comfort food, craft cocktails, and regional beers.
- JennyCakes Bakery · Bakery · 4.7★ (290)A beloved local bakery offering scratch-made cookies, cupcakes, and specialty desserts in Old Town Kensington.
- Kensington Antique Row · Shopping District · 4.6★ (320)Historic district featuring an array of independent shops dealing in vintage furniture, art, and collectibles.
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.