Is Rocketts safe?
Henrico, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Rocketts as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Rocketts
“Go. Rocketts is a scenic, well-maintained riverfront enclave that offers great waterfront dining, marina recreation, and direct trail access. Violent crime is rare in the community, though standard vigilance regarding vehicle break-ins in open surface lots is advised.”
About the area
Rocketts, anchored by the mixed-use Rocketts Landing development, is a riverside community straddling the Richmond-Henrico County line along the James River. The area blends restored historic industrial architecture with modern luxury condominiums, marinas, and popular waterfront restaurants.
- Riverfront
- Waterfront Dining
- Upscale Residential
- Active / Scenic
Walking and biking in Rocketts
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 74/100
Rocketts is a major hub on the 52-mile paved Virginia Capital Trail, with convenient RVA Bike Share stations located adjacent to the Pulse BRT stop.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low violent crime rate in the immediate master-planned corridor
- High median household incomes and stable, well-maintained housing stock
- Direct trailhead access to the 52-mile paved Virginia Capital Trail
- Active pedestrian presence around restaurants and the marina promenade
Cons
- Occasional vehicle break-ins and opportunistic property theft in surface parking areas
- Industrial zoning and isolated railroad right-of-ways flank the eastern edges
- Pedestrian connectivity abruptly drops off outside the immediate development perimeter
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in the core waterfront development, though occasional unhoused individuals may be seen along the Route 5 transit corridor and nearby railway margins.
What Rocketts is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very safe and scenic with joggers, dog walkers, and cyclists taking advantage of the Capital Trail in daylight.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and active with marina traffic, lunch crowds at waterfront cafes, and steady residential movement.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Lively and welcoming around the restaurant patios and boardwalk plazas with ample lighting and foot traffic.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and generally peaceful after restaurants close, though poorly lit parking lots near the rail lines warrant caution.
Transit, parking and getting around
GRTC operates the Pulse Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) with its eastern terminus at the Rocketts Landing Station, providing swift, dedicated-lane connections to downtown Richmond and Scott's Addition.
Ample free and designated patron surface parking is available in lots adjacent to the restaurants and marina, along with limited street spaces.
Things to do in Rocketts
- Bike, run, or walk along the riverfront section of the Virginia Capital Trail
- Dine on the James River waterfront patio overlooking the marina
- Rent a kayak, paddleboard, or boat slip at the Rocketts Landing marina docks
Local favorites
- The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing · Seafood Restaurant · 4.4★ (2350)Upscale riverfront seafood dining with panoramic views of the James River and downtown skyline.
- Conch Republic Rocketts Landing · American Restaurant · 4.3★ (1820)Lively Key West-themed bar and grill featuring an expansive outdoor deck and casual comfort fare.
- The Urban Farmhouse Market & Cafe · Cafe · 4.1★ (340)Rustic cafe and small market offering organic coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and light lunches.
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.