Top 10 Safest Neighborhoods In Washington DC (2023)

Washington is the capital of the world. The safest neighborhoods in Washington are understandably some of the most sought after residential spaces in the world; where the most successful kind of people live. These areas are well patrolled by police, and many of them are also gated communities with their own security personnel patrolling the areas.

These are probably some of the best places for young professionals and young families who want financial stability through real estate investments. These neighborhoods are decent; free of bustling crowds, and peaceful. The social scene is also great; there are similarly decent people and families to make friends with.

Safest Neighborhoods In Washington DC

1. Hawthorne

Hawthorne is one of the most decent neighborhoods in Washington DC. This small residential area has only around 3,106 residents, and they mostly live in single-family homes; some of which are as big as mansions, while others are regular townhouses with lawns and trees.

This neighborhood is in the Northwest of Washington DC and has virtually no crime. It is a safe haven for politicians, lobbyists, lawyers, professors, doctors, and so on.

The neighborhood has a crime rate of 19 per 100,000 people. As for property crime the rate is only 162 per 100,000; which is unbelievably low. To top it off, there have been zero murders recorded here recently.

2. Woodland Normanstone

Woodland Normanstone is another cool place to live in DC. This neighborhood is close to the City Center, but still good because it is near many several parks and green areas. Talking of green areas, many of the houses in the neighborhood have lawns and trees; some of them are even set on large plots that look like mini parks.

The neighborhood has a population of around 4,953 and the homes are single family houses; although they come in different shapes and sizes. This is a suburban neighborhood; but the security comes from the fact that many of the houses are embassies for foreign governments.

Violent crimes in the neighborhood occur at a rate of 23 per 100,000 people, making it probably one of the most secure neighborhoods in the country.

3. Palisades

Palisades is another community in the state of Washington that is somewhat centrally located, and that is known for being safe. The neighborhood has a population of around 6,912, and has some stately residential buildings, some of which are very old, despite being in mint condition.

This is an enclave of the rich; the median home price in the neighborhood being $1.2 million. The neighborhood is a great place to socialize and to make some powerful connections. The real estate market is also very healthy; which means investments in housing are likely going to pay off in the long run.

This neighborhood is quiet; it has a population of 6,912 and a violent crime rate of 192 incidents per 100,000 people. There is a 1 in 65 chance of becoming a victim of any type of crime in this neighborhood.

4. Adams Morgan

Adams Morgan is community located in the northwest of DC. Adams Morgan has a beautiful setting; it is more urban in the sense that the townhouses are bigger, and hold multiple families. There are also more people in the neighborhood; around 13,304. Most of the houses still have trees in front of them, even when there are no lawns. Adams Morgan also has a few embassies because it is close to the White House.

There are many fine restaurants here, and there are also many cafes, and nightclubs as well as Karaoke places within the vicinity. Adams Morgan is more of a hip, trendy location, a place of fun with a lively social scene.

Adams Morgan is one of the safest neighborhoods in Washington DC; it has a violent crime rate of 430 per 100,000 people, and a property crime rate of 4,186 per 100,000 people. This neighborhood has a substantial population, but it is still safe and secure.

5. Foxhall Village

Foxhall Village, which is also simply known as Foxhall, is a wealthy neighborhood in northwestern Washington, D.C. Most of the houses in this neighborhood are brick buildings in the Tudor Style. From the onset, the neighborhood has been a wealthy enclave, as shown by the size of many of the houses.

Wealthy enclaves are usually safe; Foxhall has a population of 5,363 and a crime rate of 1,756 per 100,000 people. These figures are 61% lower than the average in Washington DC. In Foxhall Village, residents have a 1 in 57 chance of suffering any type of crime.

6. Foggy Bottom

Foggy Bottom is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Washington DC; it was settled at around 1763. It is located in the Northwest quadrant, and gets its name from the fogs that usually occurred because the place was very close to a marsh. There are many opulent mansions in the neighborhood; it also has many tall buildings serving residential and commercial purposes.

Foggy Bottom is a bustling city within the city; there are around 15,000 people there, and most of them are young. George Washington University encompasses much of Foggy Bottom.

The neighborhood is quite peaceful; the crime rate is below 1000 per 100,000 people.

7. Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase is a neighborhood in northwest Washington, D.C. It borders another neighborhood in Maryland called Chevy Chase. Chevy Chase is generally a wealthy enclave; this is the same with Chevy Chase in Maryland. Surrounding areas include Rock Creek Park, Western Avenue, and Tennyson Street.

Chevy Chase, Washington DC has a population of 18,506. However, the crime rate stands at 2,050 incidents per 100,000 people. This is one of the calmest neighborhoods in Washington; there is a 1 in 49 chance of suffering from any type of crime.

8. Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant is located in the northwestern Quadrant of Washington DC. Surrounding areas include Rock Creek Park, Harvard Street, 16th Street NW, Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights. Mount Pleasant has a population of 13,294. It offers a suburban feel; most of the houses are single family homes, although they come in various sizes and styles.

The neighborhood has plenty of greenery in between, and has the Rock Creek Park, as well as the National Zoo within its vicinity. This neighborhood has a very low crime rate; it is a place where people can live in peace with their families.

9. Logan Circle

Logan Circle is neighborhood in the Northwestern part of Washington. It has many remarkably well preserved buildings, many dating back to over 100 years. The neighborhood gets its name from the traffic roundabout, and has plenty of greenery. The roundabout itself is like a mini park.

The neighborhood has its own history, and it is also a hub for the middle class; because of the excellent transport system, and cool environment. Logan Circle has a population of 26,528, and the overall crime of 4,391 per 100,000 people.

10. Brookland

Brookland is a neighborhood in the Northeastern section of DC. It is one of the major hubs of Catholicism in America; it hosts the Catholic University of America.

There are many residential buildings in the form of Bungalows in this neighborhood, and there is also the small community which is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This is the largest Roman Catholic Church in North America.

This neighborhood has a population of about 7,500, and violent crime is recorded at 1,130 per 100,000, while property crime is recorded at 6,021 per 100,000 people.

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Closing Thoughts  

The safest neighborhoods in Washington DC are largely those small communities which are wealthy enclaves- out of the reach of poor people. One must note that the real estate market in this city and state is very robust; in some neighborhoods the median price for a house is $1.2 million.