Is Laurel West safe?
Henrico, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Laurel West as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Laurel West
“Go. Laurel West is a quiet, comfortable suburban enclave in Henrico County that offers a peaceful, low-crime environment for visitors and residents alike. While it lacks dense walkable entertainment, it serves as a secure base for exploring the greater Richmond area with basic situational awareness.”
About the area
Laurel West is an established residential community in Henrico County characterized by mid-century single-family homes, leafy suburban streets, and nearby commercial strip centers along Staples Mill and Broad Street. It offers a relaxed, family-oriented atmosphere with low violent crime rates typical of Richmond's established western suburbs.
- Quiet Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Residential
Walking and biking in Laurel West
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There is no local municipal bike-share system in this area, and cyclists share roads with motor vehicles due to limited dedicated bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than regional and national averages
- Stable suburban residential base with a median household income exceeding $75,000
- Convenient driving access to shopping, dining, and Interstate 64 and 295
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property theft and vehicle break-ins along commercial fringes and parking lots
- Very low pedestrian infrastructure with missing sidewalks on several residential collectors
- Requires a vehicle for almost all errands and activities
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in Laurel West's residential subdivisions, though occasional panhandling may be observed near major arterial intersections along Broad Street and Staples Mill Road.
What Laurel West is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with neighborhood residents walking dogs and standard morning school and commuter traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and family-oriented across residential streets, with moderate vehicle traffic along main arterials like Hungary Road.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and safe, though street lighting varies on secondary roads so a flashlight is helpful if walking.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic and minimal street activity; generally safe, though standard suburban vehicle-locking precautions apply.
Transit, parking and getting around
GRTC provides limited bus service along major perimeter corridors like Staples Mill Road (Route 18), but interior residential streets have no direct transit coverage.
Parking is abundant and free throughout Laurel West, with ample private driveways, free residential street parking, and large complimentary surface lots at local shopping plazas.
Things to do in Laurel West
- Enjoy outdoor walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic shelters at Laurel Recreation Area
- Explore Henrico's history and heritage exhibits at the nearby Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park
- Play a round of golf or practice at the nearby Belmont Golf Course
Local favorites
- Full Kee Restaurant · Chinese Restaurant · 4.3★ (1150)Popular local destination for traditional Cantonese dishes, dim sum classics, and roast duck.
- Pad Thai Restaurant · Thai Restaurant · 4.5★ (820)Unassuming strip-mall gem serving authentic curries, noodle dishes, and traditional Thai specialties.
- Boyd's Main Street Grill · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (340)Casual neighborhood grill known for hearty breakfast plates, 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.