Is Courthouse safe?
Virginia Beach, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Courthouse as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Courthouse
“Go. The Courthouse area in Virginia Beach is an exceptionally safe municipal and suburban district anchored by local government offices, law enforcement headquarters, and well-maintained residential communities. Visitors have virtually no safety concerns during standard daytime and evening hours.”
About the area
Courthouse serves as the administrative and historic heart of Virginia Beach, blending municipal complexes and historic landmarks with suburban shopping centers. Surrounded by peaceful residential neighborhoods and farmland to the south, it offers a relaxed, orderly setting.
- Suburban
- Civic Center
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
- Safe
Walking and biking in Courthouse
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 41/100
There are no shared bike programs, but dedicated multi-use paths connect through parts of the municipal campus and toward nearby natural areas like West Neck Creek.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates compared to state and national benchmarks
- Continuous law enforcement presence due to the adjacent city police headquarters and municipal center
- High median household incomes and stable, well-kept single-family residential communities
- Abundant, clean, and free parking across all public facilities and commercial plazas
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent with sprawling layout between government buildings and retail centers
- Limited pedestrian infrastructure along high-speed arterial roads like Princess Anne Road
- Quiet and largely deserted outside of standard business hours and court operating times
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually nonexistent here due to the suburban location and heavy administrative municipal presence.
What Courthouse is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active with municipal workers, court attendees, and breakfast patrons; extremely safe.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy with civic operations, school traffic, and local shoppers; very safe to navigate.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet as offices close, with localized activity at shopping center eateries and pubs; peaceful and safe.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very calm with minimal traffic; well-lit in parking lots and safe, though sidewalks are empty.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) provides limited bus service to the municipal complex primarily via Route 33; there is no light rail access in this area, making a vehicle necessary.
Ample free surface parking lots are available at the Municipal Center, Courthouse complex, and surrounding shopping plazas.
Things to do in Courthouse
- Tour the historic Princess Anne County Courthouse complex and local historical markers
- Visit the nearby Virginia Beach Farmers Market for local produce, crafts, and community events
- Explore the nearby West Neck Creek Natural Area for scenic nature walks and wildlife viewing
Local favorites
- Kelly's Tavern · American Restaurant & Pub · 4.4★ (1150)A popular local tavern known for oversized burgers, casual comfort fare, and lively sports viewing.
- Jose Tequilas Mexican Grill & Bar · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (1420)Vibrant Mexican eatery offering generous combination platters, sizzling fajitas, and margaritas.
- The Bagel Baker · Bakery & Cafe · 4.6★ (1280)Authentic kettle-boiled New York-style bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and specialty coffee.
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.