Is Inland Colony safe?
Chesapeake, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Inland Colony as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Inland Colony
“Go with care. Inland Colony is a quiet residential enclave within Chesapeake's South Norfolk sector, but the wider area records higher property crime rates than suburban Chesapeake averages. Visitors will generally find quiet streets during the day, though routine precautions like locking vehicle doors remain necessary.”
Chesapeake police have maintained targeted neighborhood patrols in the South Norfolk district to suppress vehicle break-ins and property crime, with no major violent spikes reported in the neighborhood itself.
About the area
Inland Colony is a compact, predominantly residential neighborhood located in northern Chesapeake near the South Norfolk district. The community consists mostly of modest single-family homes and quiet residential streets close to the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River. It offers fast highway access to Norfolk and Portsmouth, but lacks a walkable commercial core.
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Working-Class
- River-Adjacent
Walking and biking in Inland Colony
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 42/100
There are no public bike-share systems or dedicated bike lanes in the immediate subdivision, but the nearby South Norfolk Jordan Bridge offers a separated multi-use pedestrian and bicycle path connecting toward Portsmouth.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low through-traffic on local residential streets
- Convenient driving access to I-464 and the South Norfolk Jordan Bridge
- Close proximity to South Norfolk historic parks and scenic river viewpoints
- Established residential base with many long-term homeowners
Cons
- Elevated property crime rates compared to broader Chesapeake city averages
- Lower median household income and higher poverty indicators than regional benchmarks
- Lack of neighborhood sidewalks and minimal commercial dining within walking distance
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within Inland Colony's residential streets, though occasional panhandling occurs around commercial corridors and transit stops along Bainbridge Boulevard and Poindexter Street.
What Inland Colony is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm as residents depart for work, feeling safe for neighborhood strolls and dog walking.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Low-key and quiet with minimal vehicle traffic and typical residential stillness.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Subdued atmosphere as daylight fades; residential streets remain quiet, but awareness is recommended.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are largely deserted; due to elevated area-wide property crime risks, late-night walking is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) provides fixed-route bus service along nearby corridors such as Poindexter Street and Bainbridge Boulevard (including Route 13), though there is no passenger rail access in Chesapeake.
Parking is straightforward and free, primarily consisting of private residential driveways and ample unrestricted on-street curbside spaces.
Things to do in Inland Colony
- Walk the scenic elevated pedestrian path across the South Norfolk Jordan Bridge for views of the Elizabeth River
- Spend an afternoon relaxing or walking around the lake at nearby Lakeside Park
- Explore the historic residential architecture of the adjacent South Norfolk Historic District
Local favorites
- Pollard's Chicken · Southern Restaurant · 4.3★ (860)Longstanding local counter-serve favorite known for fried chicken, classic Southern sides, and catering.
- Big Apple Pizzeria · Pizza Restaurant · 4.4★ (430)Neighborhood pizza parlor serving New York-style pies, calzones, subs, and Italian comfort food.
- El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.2★ (510)Casual dining spot offering traditional Mexican platters, combination plates, and margaritas.
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.