Is Kempsville Colony safe?
Virginia Beach, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Kempsville Colony as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Kempsville Colony
“Go. Kempsville Colony is a peaceful, established suburban neighborhood in Virginia Beach with very low crime and a welcoming, family-oriented environment. Visitors have little reason to worry about personal safety at any hour.”
About the area
Kempsville Colony is a quiet mid-century residential enclave located within the historic Kempsville area of Virginia Beach. Characterized by mature trees, tidy ranch and colonial-style single-family homes, and manicured yards, it offers a classic suburban coastal Virginia setting.
- Quiet Suburb
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Kempsville Colony
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 45/100
There are no municipal bike-share stations; while internal neighborhood streets are low-stress for cycling, arterial roads lack dedicated bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are exceptionally low and well below national benchmarks
- High rate of homeownership and solid household incomes fostering neighborhood stability
- Close proximity to grocery stores, neighborhood eateries, and major thoroughfares like I-264
- Strong sense of community with high presence of active-duty military and veteran families
Cons
- Car-dependent with minimal dedicated pedestrian infrastructure on primary arterial roads
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like unlocked vehicle larcenies
- Lack of nightlife or distinctive tourist attractions directly inside the residential pocket
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within the residential streets of Kempsville Colony, with only occasional individuals observed along major commercial retail intersections nearby.
What Kempsville Colony is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant, with residents walking dogs and children heading to neighborhood schools.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with light residential traffic and well-kept suburban yards.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Tranquil atmosphere as commuters return home, feeling safe for evening strolls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and dark with minimal street activity, remaining safe though streetlights are sparse in interior cul-de-sacs.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is managed by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), with bus routes running along Kempsville Road and Princess Anne Road, though headways are infrequent and there is no nearby light rail connection.
Parking is abundant and hassle-free, with wide residential driveways and free, unrestricted curb parking throughout the neighborhood.
Things to do in Kempsville Colony
- Play a round of golf at the nearby Kempsville Greens Golf Course
- Stroll or jog through the peaceful, tree-shaded residential streets and around Kemps Lake
- Explore local dining and boutique shopping around Fairfield Shopping Center and Kemps River Crossing
Local favorites
- Baker's Crust Artisan Kitchen · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (1650)Popular regional bistro serving wood-fired pizzas, crepes, artisan sandwiches, and weekend brunch.
- The Skinny Dip Frozen Yogurt Bar · Frozen Yogurt Shop · 4.6★ (420)Community favorite self-serve froyo parlor offering extensive topping bars and vegan-friendly flavors.
- Tapped Crafthouse · Gastropub · 4.5★ (980)Lively neighborhood pub featuring a massive rotating craft beer tap wall, burgers, and comfort food.
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.