Is Butts safe?
Chesapeake, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Butts as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Butts
“Go. Butts is a quiet, low-density suburban and semi-rural community in Chesapeake that offers a safe and tranquil environment for visitors and residents alike. Crime rates are very low, with incidents predominantly limited to occasional minor property thefts or traffic-related issues. While there are few traditional tourist attractions, safety is not a concern when traveling through or staying in the area.”
About the area
Butts, historically centered around Butts Station in Chesapeake, is an expansive residential and semi-rural enclave characterized by single-family subdivisions, open farmland, and tree-lined roads. Located near the Oak Grove and Great Bridge areas, it offers easy access to regional waterways, parks, and suburban shopping corridors. Visitors will find a peaceful, car-dependent setting with a strong community feel.
- Quiet Suburb
- Semi-Rural
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Butts
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There are no bike-share stations, and road cycling is limited to shoulder riding on two-lane roads; recreational biking is best done at nearby designated parks such as Oak Grove Lake Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates compared to national and regional averages
- High household median incomes and strong rates of owner-occupied single-family homes
- Spacious, low-density neighborhood layout with minimal through-traffic congestion
- Close proximity to the natural recreational areas of the Intracoastal Waterway and Great Bridge
Cons
- High car dependency requiring personal vehicles for nearly all dining, retail, and errands
- Minimal pedestrian infrastructure with few sidewalks or dedicated bike paths on main connector roads
- Limited local commercial district within the residential borders
- Dark two-lane roads with minimal streetlighting at night
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in the Butts area due to its low-density suburban and rural residential makeup.
What Butts is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet with light commuter traffic heading toward major highways and regional military bases.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and residential with occasional school bus traffic, delivery vehicles, and local residents tending yards.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Subdued and safe, with activity largely winding down as residents return home.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet with almost no foot traffic, though overall safety remains high.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is very limited in this part of Chesapeake; Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) operates limited bus routes in nearby commercial hubs, but personal vehicles are essentially required.
Parking is exceptionally easy and universally free, with abundant private driveways and spacious surface parking lots at all commercial centers.
Things to do in Butts
- Explore the nearby nature trails and boat launches along the Intracoastal Waterway at Great Bridge Lock Park
- Visit local farm stands and seasonal nurseries scattered throughout southern Chesapeake
- Enjoy family recreation and sports facilities at the nearby Oak Grove Lake Park
Local favorites
- Bergey's Breadbasket · Bakery & Deli · 4.8★ (1250)Famous local bakery, creamery, and deli known for fresh pies, homemade sandwiches, and ice cream.
- Cutlass Grille · Jamaican & BBQ Restaurant · 4.7★ (980)Beloved nearby eatery serving authentic jerk chicken, smoked meats, and Caribbean specialties.
- The BBQ Shack · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.6★ (520)Casual roadside spot offering traditional Virginia-style slow-smoked barbecue and homestyle sides.
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.