Is Greendale safe?
Henrico, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Greendale as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Greendale
“Go. Greendale is a peaceful, established suburban community in Henrico County that is safe for visitors and residents alike. While caution is advised along heavily trafficked commercial corridors at night, the residential streets carry low risk for violent crime.”
About the area
Greendale is a mature, mid-century inner suburb located just northwest of the Richmond city line in Henrico County. It features quiet residential cul-de-sacs, single-family ranch homes, and convenient access to shopping centers along Staples Mill Road and West Broad Street.
- Suburban
- Quiet / Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Established
Walking and biking in Greendale
Walk score: 41/100 · Bike score: 46/100
RVA Bikeshare does not operate in Henrico County, and dedicated bike lanes are sparse, though neighborhood side streets have low vehicle speeds suitable for casual cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are substantially lower than the national and regional urban averages.
- High homeownership rate and stable, long-tenured residential neighborhoods.
- Convenient proximity to major Richmond thoroughfares, interstates, and commercial amenities.
Cons
- Occasional property crimes and vehicular break-ins, particularly near busy retail strips.
- Suburban road layouts lack extensive sidewalks, creating pedestrian-vehicle conflicts.
- Commercial corridors along the periphery can experience isolated petty crime after dark.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is very low in the interior residential areas, with occasional individuals asking for assistance near high-volume commercial intersections along Broad Street and Staples Mill Road.
What Greendale is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm as residents walk dogs and commute to work with virtually no safety concerns.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet suburban atmosphere with steady commercial traffic on perimeter arteries; safe for walking and errands.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Residential streets quiet down early, while retail areas remain moderately active and generally secure.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Subdued and dark due to minimal street lighting; standard situational awareness is advised, though violent crime remains rare.
Transit, parking and getting around
GRTC Transit System serves the area via bus routes along Staples Mill Road and Broad Street, connecting to the GRTC Pulse BRT western terminus at Willow Lawn roughly 2.5 miles south.
Parking is abundant and free throughout the area, utilizing driveways, quiet residential streets, and dedicated retail shopping center lots.
Things to do in Greendale
- Play a round of golf or practice at The Belmont Golf Course, a historic restored course nearby.
- Explore the nearby nature trails and azalea gardens at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in adjacent Lakeside.
- Enjoy a picnic or walk around the lakes at Joseph Bryan Park just south of the neighborhood.
Local favorites
- Angela's Ristorante · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (720)Long-running neighborhood eatery serving traditional Italian pastas, pizza, and classic entrees in a relaxed setting.
- Pad Thai Restaurant · Thai Restaurant · 4.6★ (940)Unassuming strip-mall gem known for authentic noodle dishes, flavorful curries, and generous portions.
- The Belmont Golf Course · Golf Course · 4.7★ (310)Historic A.W. Tillinghast-designed public course re-imagined with a championship layout, par-3 course, and putting course.
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.