Is Roswell Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

User Sentiment:

100

* Rated 100 / 100 based on 2 user reviews.

If you’re looking for the scoop on an alien landing in the middle of the desert, this isn’t the Roswell for you.

This is Roswell, Georgia, an upscale northern Atlanta suburb.

Roswell has pristinely preserved its historic buildings as some were saved from the fiery habits of Union armies during the Civil War.

It has also blossomed into a secluded suburban escape for upper-income workers.

The city is densely populated with 93,000 people living here.

Money Magazine rated Roswell as one of the top 100 places to live in the country.

The city is tucked next to the Chattahoochee River and the National Recreation area, giving even more of an escape from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta.

There is a large grouping of hotels along Highway 19, but there are no hotels in the city center or suburbs.

This part of the northern Atlanta metro area is a great place to stay due to its proximity to the mountains in the north and the city life of the ATL.

It’s also a safe place to stay.

Warnings & Dangers in Roswell

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low overall risk here. The crime numbers are typically lower than the national and state averages. There was a spike in violent crime reported in 2020 - nearly three times higher than in previous years. Since that's the most recent FBI data, I'm going to give you information based on the decade-long trend of 120 violent crimes on average, and not the oddity of 2020 with 357 crimes. On top of that, 70% of the violent crimes in 2020 happened in private homes, not in public.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Roswell doesn't have a bus system in town, but it is served by MARTA, the bus and rail system of the greater Atlanta area. Taxis and rideshares are plentiful. There's a low risk of riding here or waiting at a bus stop. On weekends and some evenings during the week, you'll see pedicabs available for a ride through downtown. Please tip the drivers well.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

There were just two pickpockets reported in 2020, which gives the city a low risk. 1/3 of the theft crimes here were vehicle break-ins.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

You've got a medium risk of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flooding. There are a lot of outdoor places in Roswell and surrounding cities along with the Chattahoochee River. Being weather aware can literally save a life when visiting Roswell.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

About 1/3 of the 26 robberies reported in 2020 were in public spaces. Robberies have gone down over the past decade by 50%.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

There's a medium risk here, but not because Roswell is a target. It is because it's part of the greater Atlanta metro area. Large population centers are always going to pique a terrorist's interest. There's actually a whole section on the Roswell Police Department website on how you can help keep an eye out for terrorists.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The scams here are the typical ones about paying your way out of an arrest warrant or a grandparent scam, but none that target tourists. The locals here are pretty well off, so scammers go after their money.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women should feel safe here with low risk. The sexual assault rate is just below the national average. Of course, you want to practice good personal safety rules, and this isn't a very walkable city, so don't go walking around at night.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

You can rest assured the tap water here meets or exceeds the required standards. The 2021 Annual Water Quality Report also shows no violations in the tap water chemicals.

Safest Places to Visit in Roswell

If you can’t find something to do to make you happy in Roswell, you won’t be happy anywhere.

This city has a little bit of everything.

I like to start with the historic sites to get a lay of the land and the vibe of the city.

There’s a 640-acre district in Roswell to explore.

You can choose from a variety of tours including:

Historic Houses
Historic Sites (non-residential)
Ghosts of Roswell
Civil War Historic Spots

The Chattahoochee River and nearby National Recreation Area offer plenty of outdoor activities.

There’s a riverwalk for an evening stroll, watercraft rentals like kayaks, a zip line over the water, and endless fishing holes.

Don’t forget the nature center, where you can learn about the trees, plants, and animals unique to this part of Georgia.

Give yourself plenty of time to explore every nook and cranny of the charming downtown area.

Arts, music, dining, shopping – all unique to Roswell.

You won’t find any chain stores or restaurants downtown.

You can get everything from burgers and fries to a steak so good you’ll slap your momma.

(That “slap your momma” is a Southern saying.

Please don’t actually slap momma.)

Do you ever wonder how a computer ended up so small that it could fit right into your phone?

Check out the Computer Museum of America for a timeline of the computer industry from the systems that took up a whole room to the modern technology we have now.

There are hands-on displays and this will make for a great visit for the whole family.

Places to Avoid in Roswell

Like most cities, the highest crime rates are along the major highway that goes through town.

In this case, the north side of Highway 19 has the highest crime rate.

Add to that, it is the busiest part of town, so it’s going to get more crime.

You don’t have to worry about venturing into a bad part of town in Roswell.

The average home price here is nearing $400,000.

Avoid going to a golf course unless you’ve checked to see if it’s public or private.

Most, if not all, of the courses here are private and you would need a member to bring you as a guest to get in.

You can’t pay for a one-day or one-week membership.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Roswell

If you get information about a crime while you’re in Roswell, call the tip line at (770)640-4100. Reporting criminal activity helps keep the city safe for the next generation of visitors.
When you arrive at your hotel, ask where the tornado shelter is in the hotel. There’s always a designated safe space to go should a tornado warning be issued.
Sign up for emergency notifications from the city of Roswell and the police/fire departments through Nixle.com. You’ll get road closures, accidents, crime information, and weather warnings.
You will see police officers here on bicycles since there are so many trails in the city of Roswell. If you are on the road, you should consider yourself a vehicle and follow all the rules of the road. Stay to the far right, even if there isn’t a bike lane. Don’t ride on the sidewalks.
Just because the crime rates are low here doesn’t mean you should let your guard down. We talked about how 1/3 of the thefts that happened in 2020 were from vehicles. Did you know the majority of vehicle break-ins aren’t really “breaking in”? That’s because people leave their doors unlocked or windows rolled down. Before you leave the hotel, put all valuables in the trunk so a thief doesn’t see you loading up the trunk at your destination. Lock the doors and roll up all the windows, even on very hot days. The smallest crack in a window can give easy access to a thief.
Before you even think about getting into the waters of the Chattahoochee River, check the water quality alert for that day or week. If there’s a high level of E. coli, you should avoid getting in the water or even riding a raft down the river.
You must have a personal flotation device with you on the river and, in some spots, it is required for you to wear it. Just last June, a 17-year-old boy died trying to swim across the river with a group of his friends.
The river flow can be different day-to-day and even during certain times of the day. It’s influenced by the release of water from the dam upstream. You should be familiar with the water release schedules on the park’s website to get a better idea of when the river is going to be at its most calm.
Anglers need to get a fishing license through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. You can get one online for as low as $10.
You are going to need bug spray here. The mosquitoes will “eat you alive,” as they say. Avoid any perfume that smells like flowers. That attracts the mosquitos.

So... How Safe Is Roswell Really?

For a city that’s nearing 100,000 people, the city is exceptionally safe.

There are, on average, two homicides a year, but some years have none, looking as far back as 2010.

The robbery average is two and a half times lower than the national average.

Even the theft rate is at least 30% lower than the national numbers.

Here are your chances of being a victim of a crime in Roswell:

Violent Crime: 1 in 773
Robbery: 1 in 3570
Theft: 1 in 106

There is more to do here for tourists than in some other residential areas nearby, and they are all safe things to do for the entire family.

There are some breweries and restaurants that might not be kid-appropriate or if you want a romantic night on the town.

Overall, this is a safe “pole position” city where you are close to the mountains, the water, and the big city while being able to sleep in a safe community.

How Does Roswell Compare?

City	Safety Index
Roswell	73
Oakland	57
New Orleans	57
Baltimore	56
Boston	67
Washington DC	56
New York City	67
Phnom Penh (Cambodia)	61
Niagara Falls (Canada)	87
Calgary (Canada)	82
Buenos Aires (Argentina)	60
Vancouver (Canada)	82
Cordoba (Argentina)	61

Useful Information

Visas

You will take care of the Visa process at the airport and won't need it to travel through the cities of the Atlanta area.

Currency

The U.S. Dollar is the only currency accepted here. Currency exchange can be done at the airport or in some parts of the city of Atlanta. The suburbs might be hit or miss for currency exchange.

Weather

It's humid in this part of Georgia through the late spring and early fall. That means you're going to be sweating just walking to your car. You might want a hat for sunny days and don't forget sunscreen and bug spray. Winter weather changes daily, so it might be warm on Tuesday and in the 40s on Wednesday. I can only advise checking the weather forecast the day before you go to help determine what to pack. Bringing layers is a safe bet, but I doubt you'll need a winter coat.

Airports

Hartfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta is the best, biggest and closest choice. It's clear on the other side of town, so you need to plan about an hour to get there, especially if you are driving during the rush hours.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a great idea to protect you from flight delays, cancellations, or weather that closes air space. It gives you a little extra peace of mind.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Roswell Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 4° C

Feb 6° C

Mar 10° C

Apr 15° C

May 19° C

Jun 23° C

Jul 25° C

Aug 25° C

Sep 21° C

Oct 15° C

Nov 10° C

Dec 6° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	9	13	17	22	25	29	31	30	27	22	17	12
Low °C	-2	-1	3	7	12	17	19	19	15	8	3	0
High °F	48	55	63	72	77	84	88	86	81	72	63	54
Low °F	28	30	37	45	54	63	66	66	59	46	37	32

Georgia - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Acworth	86
Alpharetta	86
Athens	58
Atlanta	58
Augusta	86
Brookhaven	71
Brunswick	51
Cartersville	78
Chamblee	71
Dalton	91
Dunwoody	74
East Columbus	87
East Point	54
Johns Creek	91
Kennesaw	84
Lawrenceville	85
Mableton	76
Macon	61
Marietta	78
McDonough	72
Milton	87
Newnan	75
Peachtree City	89
Peachtree Corners	72
Perry	86
Pooler	86
Roswell	73
Sandy Springs	82
Savannah	70
Smyrna	74
Snellville	51
South Fulton	48
Statesboro	88
Stockbridge	78
Stonecrest	53
Suwanee	86
Tucker	74
Tybee Island	82
Valdosta	74
Warner Robins	68
Woodstock	88

2 Reviews on Roswell

T
Taylor Burns says:
at
I’m planning a trip to Roswell next month, and after researching safety measures and reading positive reviews from fellow travelers, I’m excited to explore without any worries.
S
Shane Smith says:
at
I did some solo traveling in Roswell last month, and I never felt uneasy or threatened. The streets were well-lit, and I encountered helpful locals wherever I went.

Roswell Rated 5 / 5 based on 2 user reviews.

Is Roswell Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Georgia : Safety by City