Is Old Dominion University safe?
Norfolk, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Old Dominion University as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Old Dominion University
“Go with care. The core Old Dominion University campus is vibrant and heavily patrolled, making it quite safe during the day for games, arts events, and campus visits. However, stay alert at night, particularly in off-campus student neighborhoods and along perimeter corridors where property crimes and occasional late-night disturbances are more common.”
Local police and campus safety officials have periodically increased off-campus patrols along 38th to 49th Streets following sporadic late-night gun-related incidents and vehicle break-in spikes near student housing.
About the area
Old Dominion University encompasses a sprawling, active collegiate campus nestled between the Elizabeth River and commercial corridors like Hampton Boulevard. It offers a lively student vibe with sports arenas, museums, and casual dining, surrounded by dense student rentals and residential streets.
- College Town Vibe
- Bustling Campus
- Active & Youthful
- Transit-Connected
Walking and biking in Old Dominion University
Walk score: 71/100 · Bike score: 75/100
Biking is popular on campus with marked lanes on Hampton Boulevard and 49th Street, connecting conveniently to the scenic 10.5-mile Elizabeth River Trail just to the south and west.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Dedicated 24/7 ODU Police Department patrols, safety escorts, and extensive blue-light emergency stations on campus grounds
- Active, pedestrian-heavy campus core with continuous daytime foot traffic
- Modern university infrastructure, strong lighting along main quads, and high-speed campus fiber connectivity
Cons
- Elevated rates of property crime, including car break-ins and bicycle thefts in adjacent off-campus student rental sectors
- Spillover crime risk and occasional late-night altercations near off-campus bars and party spots along Hampton Boulevard and Killam Avenue
- High local poverty rate driven by a predominantly student renter population, with older off-campus housing stock
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is relatively low on the core campus grounds due to private property enforcement, but occasional panhandling occurs along major commercial intersections on Hampton Boulevard and near off-campus bus stops.
What Old Dominion University is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very safe and bustling with students, faculty, and runners traversing campus pathways and local cafes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and highly active across academic quads, dining areas, and library plazas with visible university staff.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Generally safe along central lit campus walkways, though peripheral residential blocks warrant extra situational awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Exercise caution, stick to well-lit campus paths, and avoid walking alone in off-campus student rental blocks or isolated parking lots.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) serves the neighborhood directly with bus routes 2 (Hampton Boulevard) and 4, connecting easily to Downtown Norfolk. Norfolk's Tide light rail is located roughly 3.5 miles south in Downtown, accessible via a short bus ride.
Campus parking is strictly enforced with several visitor garages (such as Constant Center Garage 43rd St) charging roughly $1.50 to $2.00 per hour via mobile payment apps. Street parking in neighboring residential areas is heavily restricted by permit zones during academic terms.
Things to do in Old Dominion University
- Browse the impressive collection of glass art and automated dolls at the Barry Art Museum
- Catch an NCAA Division I football game or concert at S.B. Ballard Stadium
- Attend a basketball game or major touring event at Chartway Arena
Local favorites
- The Dirty Buffalo · Chicken Wings & Sports Bar · 4.4★ (1850)Popular sports joint serving authentic Western New York-style wings, garbage plates, and craft beers.
- Borjo Coffeehouse · Coffee Shop & Cafe · 4.5★ (460)Longtime student hub in University Village known for specialty espresso drinks, sandwiches, and study-friendly seating.
- Perfectly Frank's · American Diner · 4.6★ (820)Campus classic diner serving hefty specialty burgers, hot dogs, and breakfast platters with nostalgic decor.
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.