Is Laurel Park safe?
Henrico, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Laurel Park as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Laurel Park
“Go. Laurel Park is a quiet, stable suburban community in Henrico County that presents very few safety risks for visitors. While it is primarily a residential area with limited tourist attractions, visitors have little reason for concern beyond routine suburban awareness. Standard precautions around commercial strips along major corridors are sufficient.”
About the area
Laurel Park is an established mid-century suburban neighborhood in Henrico County, situated just northwest of Richmond. Characterized by single-family ranch homes, mature trees, and nearby commercial corridors like Staples Mill Road, it serves primarily as a peaceful residential bedroom community.
- Suburban
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Laurel Park
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 42/100
There are no municipal bike-share hubs in Laurel Park, and while residential side streets are easy to cycle, dedicated bike lanes along major thoroughfares like Staples Mill Road are lacking.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low violent crime rates well below national and regional metro averages
- Stable residential fabric with high rates of long-term homeownership
- Convenient access to major regional arterial roads and Henrico County parks
- Close proximity to the Richmond Staples Mill Road Amtrak intercity rail station
Cons
- Car-dependent infrastructure with limited sidewalks on residential side streets
- Occasional property crimes such as opportunistic vehicle theft near commercial avenues
- Minimal dining, retail, and entertainment options directly within the neighborhood core
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is very low within the residential sections of Laurel Park. Occasional panhandling is visible at major retail intersections along Staples Mill Road and Broad Street, but encampments are not a notable presence.
What Laurel Park is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with school buses and residents departing for work commutes along connector roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Low-key suburban environment where neighborhood streets remain quiet and safe for walking dogs or jogging.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential winding-down period with minimal pedestrian foot traffic and safe conditions.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and tranquil with negligible street activity, maintaining low crime levels throughout the night.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit service is provided by the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) with routes running along nearby Staples Mill Road. The Richmond Staples Mill Amtrak Station provides regional rail access roughly five to ten minutes away by car.
Parking is exceptionally easy and universally free throughout the neighborhood, with wide residential streets and ample private driveway space.
Things to do in Laurel Park
- Enjoy outdoor sports, walking paths, and playgrounds at the nearby Laurel Recreation Area
- Catch an intercity passenger train from the nearby Richmond Staples Mill Road Amtrak Station
- Play a round of golf at the nearby Henrico County-operated Belmont Golf Course
Local favorites
- Roma's Ristorante Italiano · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (1150)Long-running neighborhood staple serving classic Italian pasta, calzones, and New York-style pizzas.
- Pho So 1 · Vietnamese Restaurant · 4.5★ (1420)Popular nearby spot known for authentic noodle soups, broken rice dishes, and quick service.
- Laurel Skate Center · Roller Skating Rink · 4.3★ (680)Classic family-friendly roller rink offering public skate sessions, arcade games, and private events.
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.