Is Kempsville 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 as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Kempsville
“Go. Kempsville is a quiet, highly stable suburban community in Virginia Beach with very low violent crime rates and an exceptionally family-friendly environment. Visitors will find plenty of casual dining, parks, and historic spots with virtually no safety concerns during normal hours.”
About the area
Kempsville is one of the historic boroughs of Virginia Beach, characterized by established mid-century residential subdivisions, strip malls, and city parks. It offers a relaxed, quintessential suburban atmosphere with easy highway access across Hampton Roads.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
Walking and biking in Kempsville
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 45/100
There is no local bike-share program, and cycling is mostly confined to residential side streets rather than dedicated protected bike lanes along major thoroughfares.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than both national and regional metro averages
- High homeownership rate and stable household median income exceeding $85,000
- Well-maintained public community centers and neighborhood parks
Cons
- Car-centric arterial roads like Kempsville and Princess Anne Road make pedestrian travel hazardous
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins in commercial parking lots
- Limited cultural or nightlife attractions within immediate neighborhood borders
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in Kempsville, with occasional isolated panhandling near major commercial intersections along Virginia Beach Boulevard or I-264 exits.
What Kempsville is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with commuters, joggers, and school traffic navigating neighborhood streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy along retail strips like Princess Anne Road with heavy vehicle traffic but completely safe for shopping.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and residential with families and restaurant patrons out; very low safety concern.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very quiet and dark in residential subdivisions, with minimal foot traffic and standard suburban safety.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) serves the area via local bus routes such as Route 27 and Route 33, but frequencies are limited; there is no light rail station within Kempsville, making personal vehicles essential.
Ample, free off-street parking is universally available at shopping plazas, parks, and recreational facilities, with easy residential street parking.
Things to do in Kempsville
- Explore the historic grounds and tour the colonial 1700s Francis Land House
- Play a round of golf or practice on the driving range at Kempsville Greens Golf Course
- Swim, exercise, or play sports at the modern Kempsville Recreation Center
Local favorites
- The Route 58 Delicatessen · Deli / Jewish Restaurant · 4.6★ (1650)Famed local deli known for towering pastrami sandwiches, cheesecake, and retro New York vibe.
- No 1 Chinese Restaurant · Chinese Restaurant · 4.4★ (320)Longstanding neighborhood staple serving classic takeout favorites and generous portions.
- Town Center Cold Pressed · Cafe & Juice Bar · 4.5★ (210)Bright neighborhood spot offering artisanal cold-pressed juices, espresso, and light breakfast bites.
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.