Is Woodridge / Fort Lincoln / Gateway safe?
Washington, Washington, D.C. · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Woodridge / Fort Lincoln / Gateway as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Woodridge / Fort Lincoln / Gateway
“Go with care. While the interior residential blocks of Woodridge and Fort Lincoln are quiet, tree-lined, and generally safe, visitors should maintain awareness around major commercial corridors like Rhode Island Avenue and New York Avenue where property crime and auto theft are elevated. Sticking to daylight hours for parks and shopping centers ensures a low-stress experience.”
Recent police initiatives have targeted retail theft and vehicle break-ins around the Dakota Crossing shopping corridor along New York Avenue.
About the area
Woodridge, Fort Lincoln, and Gateway form a diverse, primarily residential enclave in Northeast DC known for its brick bungalows, suburban feel, and major retail hubs. Visitors usually come for shopping at Dakota Crossing, the expansive Fort Lincoln Park, or the nearby Franciscan Monastery gardens just across the border.
- Residential / Quiet
- Suburban Vibe
- Car-Dependent
- Diverse
- Park-Adjacent
Walking and biking in Woodridge / Fort Lincoln / Gateway
Walk score: 56/100 · Bike score: 52/100
Capital Bikeshare stations are scattered around Fort Lincoln and Rhode Island Ave, with reasonable road connections leading toward the Metropolitan Branch Trail and Anacostia Riverwalk Trail.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- High rate of long-term homeownership and established middle-class neighborhood stability, particularly in Woodridge.
- Substantially lower rates of violent crime compared to southern and central Ward 5 neighborhoods.
- Spacious green areas including Fort Lincoln Park and the nearby National Arboretum buffer.
Cons
- Frequent property crime, vehicle break-ins, and shoplifting incidents concentrated around big-box retail lots.
- Higher rates of traffic-related hazards and occasional carjackings along the arterial Rhode Island and New York Avenue corridors.
- Limited walkability to rapid rail transit, necessitating dependence on buses or cars.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior residential tracts, though occasional individuals or small encampments can be spotted near highway underpasses along New York Avenue and Rhode Island Avenue.
What Woodridge / Fort Lincoln / Gateway is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and peaceful, with dog walkers, joggers, and commuters moving through residential streets with minimal concern.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active and generally safe across neighborhood parks and shopping centers, though retail parking areas require basic vigilance against vehicle break-ins.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Residential blocks stay quiet and safe, while commercial strips along Rhode Island Avenue see increased foot traffic and require standard street awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets become desolate; walking alone along major transit corridors or unlit park perimeters is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
WMATA operates bus routes like the B2, 83, 86, and H6 traversing the area, connecting to the nearest Metrorail stations at Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood (Red Line) and Fort Totten (Red/Green Lines), both about 1.5 to 2.5 miles away.
Street parking is largely free, unmetered, and easy to find along residential streets in Woodridge, with large free surface parking lots available at The Shops at Dakota Crossing.
Things to do in Woodridge / Fort Lincoln / Gateway
- Shop and dine at The Shops at Dakota Crossing, home to regional anchors like Costco and local eateries.
- Explore Fort Lincoln Park and Theodore Hagans Cultural Center for tennis courts, green lawns, and panoramic neighborhood views.
- Walk along the quiet, tree-lined residential streets of Woodridge to admire classic 1920s craftsman bungalows and colonial architecture.
Local favorites
- Zeke's Coffee DC · Coffee Shop · 4.7★ (450)Popular small-batch roastery offering espresso drinks, cold brew, and fresh pastries in a relaxed setting.
- His & Hers Restaurant · American / Soul Food · 4.5★ (380)Vibrant neighborhood spot serving hearty comfort food, cocktails, and weekend brunch.
- Mimi's Ethiopian Grocery & Carryout · Ethiopian · 4.8★ (120)Cozy staple offering flavorful vegetarian combos, kitfo, and traditional Ethiopian pantry essentials.
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.