Is Laurel Lakes safe?
Henrico, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Laurel Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Laurel Lakes
“Go. Laurel Lakes is a calm, established Henrico County suburban community offering a peaceful and safe environment for visitors. Violent crime is rare, and the residential streets are well-kept, though a vehicle is required to get around comfortably.”
About the area
Laurel Lakes is a quiet suburban residential neighborhood situated in Henrico County just northwest of Richmond. The area is characterized by tree-lined cul-de-sacs, detached single-family homes, and easy driving access to major shopping centers along Staples Mill Road.
- Quiet Suburb
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Residential
Walking and biking in Laurel Lakes
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 35/100
There are no public bike-share hubs in this suburban enclave, though the low-traffic residential streets are suitable for casual biking.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than regional and national averages
- High homeownership and steady middle-income residential stability
- Convenient driving access to I-64, I-295, and the Staples Mill Amtrak corridor
- Low-density layout with minimal commercial disruption on residential streets
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked car entry and package theft
- Heavy car dependency with sparse pedestrian sidewalk connections on main roads
- Limited street lighting on older residential side streets at night
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within the residential interior, with only sporadic panhandling seen near commercial highway intersections.
What Laurel Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents jogging, walking pets, and beginning their morning commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet and secure with minimal street traffic throughout the neighborhood interior.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and residential, with families returning home and very safe conditions for an evening stroll.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dark with almost zero foot traffic; remains safe although limited lighting requires normal caution.
Transit, parking and getting around
GRTC Transit System operates bus lines along major peripheral corridors like Staples Mill Road (Route 18), though direct service inside the neighborhood is nonexistent. The Staples Mill Road Amtrak station is just a short drive away.
Driveway and street parking are readily available, unrestricted, and completely free throughout the neighborhood.
Things to do in Laurel Lakes
- Take a quiet walk through the residential neighborhood loops and nearby green spaces
- Play a round of golf or practice at the nearby historic Belmont Golf Course
- Sample diverse international cuisine along the nearby Staples Mill Road commercial corridor
Local favorites
- Taqueria El Chido · Mexican Restaurant · 4.6★ (1150)Authentic street tacos, tortas, and Mexican staples served in a casual strip-mall setting.
- Hermitage Grill · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (890)Neighborhood tavern offering elevated pub fare, craft beers, and a welcoming patio.
- Roberto Italian Restaurant · Italian Restaurant · 4.6★ (680)Classic family-owned venue serving traditional pasta dishes, pizzas, and Italian entrees.
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.