Is Ghent safe?
Norfolk, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Ghent as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Ghent
“Go. Ghent is one of Norfolk's safest, most historic, and most vibrant neighborhoods, offering great dining and arts within a comfortable environment. Standard urban awareness is appropriate at night along major commercial corridors, but violent crime is relatively low and visitor risk is minimal.”
Occasional reports of opportunistic car break-ins and package theft along residential side streets remain the primary recurring police blotter items in the neighborhood.
About the area
Ghent is a picturesque historic district characterized by tree-lined streets, Queen Anne and Colonial Revival architecture, and bustling commercial strips along Colley Avenue and 21st Street. It serves as an upscale cultural and culinary anchor for Norfolk, appealing to young professionals, healthcare workers from nearby Sentara Norfolk General, and university affiliates.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Walkable Dining Hub
- Bohemian & Artsy
- Lively Corridors
Walking and biking in Ghent
Walk score: 88/100 · Bike score: 85/100
Ghent is very bike-friendly with dedicated lanes and easy access to the 10.5-mile Elizabeth River Trail running along its southern and western edges, alongside scattered Lime/Bird e-bike rentals.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Substantially lower violent crime rates and higher median household income compared to the Norfolk citywide average
- High rates of owner-occupancy and well-maintained historic housing stock
- Active, pedestrian-heavy streets with consistent natural surveillance from open businesses and patio dining
- Direct proximity to premier cultural assets like the Chrysler Museum of Art and the Elizabeth River Trail
Cons
- Nuisance property crime, particularly theft from unlocked vehicles and bicycle theft
- Bordering areas toward the north and east experience higher rates of criminal activity that can occasionally spill over
- Tight residential parking and limited lighting along certain narrow alleyways at night
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low to moderate, with occasional individuals panhandling along commercial intersections like 21st Street and Colley Avenue, but encampments are not common within the residential core.
What Ghent is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers, dog walkers, and commuters heading to local cafes or the nearby medical complex.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Energetic and safe with steady foot traffic browsing boutiques, bookshops, and lunch spots along Colley Avenue.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Vibrant and welcoming as outdoor dining patios and bars fill up, with well-populated sidewalks along main avenues.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally calm on residential streets, though caution is advised around darker side streets and closing bars along 21st Street.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) serves Ghent primarily via bus routes 2 and 4 along Colley Avenue and Hampton Boulevard. The nearest HRT The Tide light rail station is EVMC/Fort Norfolk, located about a 10-15 minute walk south of central Ghent.
On-street parking is mostly free but can be competitive on weekends and evenings along Colley Ave and residential side streets (some restricted by residential permits). A few paid commercial surface lots exist along 21st Street, generally charging modest hourly rates.
Things to do in Ghent
- Explore world-class art collections and the Perry Glass Studio at the nearby Chrysler Museum of Art
- Stroll or paddle around The Hague inlet and admire early 20th-century mansions along the water
- Catch an indie movie or classic film screening at the historic Naro Expanded Cinema on Colley Avenue
Local favorites
- Naro Expanded Cinema · Independent Cinema · 4.8★ (1150)Historic 1936 Art Deco single-screen theater showing indie films, documentaries, and cult classics.
- The Birch · Bar & Kitchen · 4.7★ (680)Acclaimed European-style tavern specializing in curated craft beers, ciders, and gourmet grilled cheeses.
- No Frill Bar and Grill · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (2400)Beloved neighborhood staple offering hearty, classic comfort food and casual American fare.
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.