Is Mount Hermon safe?
Portsmouth, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Mount Hermon as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Mount Hermon
“Go with care. Mount Hermon is a modest, established residential neighborhood that is generally quiet during the day but experiences higher property crime and sporadic violent crime rates compared to national averages. Visitors have little reason to linger unless visiting residents or accessing nearby local amenities, and situational awareness is recommended after dark.”
Portsmouth police have focused targeted community patrols in central neighborhoods including Mount Hermon to address localized gun violence and vehicle thefts.
About the area
Mount Hermon is a historic working-class neighborhood located in central Portsmouth, Virginia, situated just west of the Elizabeth River shipyard corridors. The area is characterized by single-family bungalows, mid-century cottages, and quiet residential blocks bordered by commercial routes. While close to major regional highways and Olde Towne, the community faces persistent economic and property crime challenges common to inner Hampton Roads.
- Quiet Residential
- Working-Class
- Car-Dependent
- Suburban-Urban Fringe
Walking and biking in Mount Hermon
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 46/100
The area lacks dedicated bike lanes, but neighborhood streets carry low vehicle speeds; long-distance cyclists must navigate busy arterials to reach the Elizabeth River Trail across the water.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Convenient driving access to Route 164 and the Midtown Tunnel into Norfolk
- Tight-knit, multigenerational community feel with low-density residential streets
- Close proximity to Olde Towne Portsmouth and Elizabeth River waterfront recreation
Cons
- Property crime and vehicle break-in rates sit above state and national averages
- Elevated local poverty rate approaching 22% alongside older, aging housing stock
- Limited commercial dining, retail, and entertainment options within the neighborhood borders
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential interior of Mount Hermon, though individuals and panhandling can occasionally be seen near major commercial intersections along High Street and Midtown corridors.
What Mount Hermon is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet with standard commuter traffic and school bus routes moving through the area.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Generally calm with modest neighborhood activity, though foot traffic is sparse.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity drops quickly at dusk; residential streets remain quiet but street lighting is variable.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Caution is advised due to higher risks of opportunistic property crimes and reduced visibility.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) operates local bus routes like Route 44 connecting nearby corridors to downtown Portsmouth, with no direct light rail or BRT connections in the immediate neighborhood.
Street parking is free and widely available on residential blocks, with private driveways standard for most homes and no metered parking.
Things to do in Mount Hermon
- Visit nearby Paradise Creek Nature Park for wetland walking trails and birdwatching
- Explore the historic Naval Shipyard Museum in nearby downtown Portsmouth
- Walk the Elizabeth River Trail waterfront just across the river in neighboring districts
Local favorites
- Cutlass Grille · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.6★ (1120)Celebrated local spot offering authentic Jamaican jerk chicken, smoked meats, and Caribbean sides.
- The Coffee Shoppe · Coffee Shop · 4.7★ (680)Historic Olde Towne café serving espresso drinks, breakfast sandwiches, and fresh pastries.
- Roger Brown's Restaurant and Sports Bar · Sports Bar & Grill · 4.2★ (1840)Spacious community favorite offering seafood, burgers, and sports broadcasts on High Street.
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.