Is Woodburn safe?
Morgantown, West Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Woodburn as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Woodburn
“Go. Woodburn is a quiet, historic residential neighborhood that blends long-time residents with West Virginia University students and staff. Violent crime is rare, and the primary concerns are occasional property crime and navigating steep, narrow mountain roads.”
About the area
Situated on the hills just east of Downtown Morgantown, Woodburn offers a classic Appalachian neighborhood feel with older single-family homes, leafy streets, and community green spaces. It serves primarily as a tranquil residential enclave adjacent to active university and commercial districts.
- Quiet Residential
- Hilly & Scenic
- Historic
- College Town Vibe
Walking and biking in Woodburn
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 34/100
Cycling is physically demanding due to steep inclines and lack of dedicated bike lanes, but the neighborhood provides connection down toward the popular Deckers Creek Trail.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low rates of violent crime compared to urban core neighborhoods
- Close-knit residential community with a mix of faculty, families, and quiet students
- Quick access to downtown Morgantown amenities and WVU campus without the noise
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property theft and vehicle break-ins common in college towns
- Steep topography and narrow roads make winter driving and pedestrian travel challenging
- Limited commercial options directly within neighborhood boundaries
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Woodburn, though occasional unhoused individuals may be seen passing through along major roads connecting to downtown services.
What Woodburn is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with local residents walking dogs and students heading toward campus.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and pleasant, with light local traffic and minimal pedestrian activity along residential streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and comfortable, though limited street lighting in some sections requires attentiveness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally very quiet and safe, though standard awareness is advised along corridors leading to downtown.
Transit, parking and getting around
Mountain Line Transit Authority (MLTA) operates local bus routes like Route 8 (Brookhaven) along Richwood Avenue, connecting directly to the Downtown PMT and WVU transit hubs.
Residential street parking is readily available and mostly free, though narrow, steep roadways can require careful parallel parking, especially in winter.
Things to do in Woodburn
- Visit Whitmore Park for scenic hillside views, a playground, and neighborhood green space
- Walk the quiet, hilly historic residential streets lined with early 20th-century architecture
- Stroll over to adjacent Richwood Avenue for historic neighborhood food and drink spots
Local favorites
- Mario's Fishbowl · American Restaurant & Bar · 4.6★ (1250)Historic, beloved neighborhood tavern on Richwood Avenue famous for frosty fishbowl beers and sandwiches.
- Black Bear Burritos · Burrito Restaurant · 4.5★ (1400)Laid-back local favorite offering globally inspired burritos and local craft beers just outside the neighborhood.
- Apothecary Ale House & Cafe · Beer Bar · 4.7★ (320)Cozy, relaxed craft beer bar nearby featuring an extensive and rotating draft list.
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.