Is English Hills safe?
Henrico, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates English Hills as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on English Hills
“Go. English Hills is a quiet, unassuming residential neighborhood in Henrico County that is generally safe for visitors and residents alike. While there is little in the way of tourist attractions within the subdivision itself, the area experiences low rates of violent crime typical of Henrico's suburban communities.”
About the area
English Hills is an established mid-century residential neighborhood located in Henrico County just north of the Richmond city line. It features single-family ranch and split-level homes on wooded lots with quiet cul-de-sacs. The area is largely car-dependent and primarily serves as a calm suburban bedroom community.
- Suburban / Residential
- Quiet / Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in English Hills
Walk score: 18/100 · Bike score: 26/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes or bike-share hubs in the neighborhood, though the low-speed residential streets are quiet enough for neighborhood cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Substantially lower violent crime rates compared to the urban core of Richmond
- High rates of owner-occupied single-family homes contributing to neighborhood stability
- Peaceful, low-traffic residential streets with mature tree cover
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like vehicle break-ins along border thoroughfares
- Lack of sidewalks and dedicated pedestrian infrastructure throughout the neighborhood
- Zero commercial or dining amenities within the neighborhood boundaries, requiring a car for all errands
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually nonexistent within the English Hills subdivision itself, with minimal panhandling only occasionally seen near commercial shopping strips along nearby arterial roads.
What English Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very peaceful with neighbors walking dogs, school buses circulating, and minimal vehicle traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with standard residential activity and children playing outdoors.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and dark due to sparse streetlighting, though safety remains consistently good.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely sleepy with almost no foot or vehicle traffic; standard suburban vigilance is all that is required.
Transit, parking and getting around
GRTC Transit System provides limited bus service along major perimeter corridors like Chamberlayne Avenue (Route 1), but there is no direct transit stop within the residential core of English Hills.
Parking is completely effortless, with wide residential driveways and free, unrestricted curb parking on all neighborhood streets.
Things to do in English Hills
- Take a quiet morning or afternoon walk through the tree-canopied residential loops
- Visit nearby Belmont Recreation Center and Golf Course for outdoor activities and public tennis courts
- Explore the botanical displays and historic greenhouse at the nearby Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Local favorites
- Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden · Botanical Garden & Attraction · 4.8★ (6800)Renowned 50-acre botanical garden featuring themed displays, a conservatory, and seasonal exhibits just a short drive away.
- SB's Lakeside Love Shack · Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant · 4.8★ (1250)Quirky, beloved nearby eatery serving hearty, creative breakfast and brunch dishes.
- Roy's Big Burger · Fast Food & Burger Joint · 4.6★ (1100)Long-running local institution on nearby Lakeside Avenue serving classic old-school burgers and crinkle-cut fries.
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.