Is Pinehurst safe?
Richmond, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Pinehurst as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Pinehurst
“Go with care. Pinehurst is a modest, working-class residential neighborhood in Southside Richmond that is generally quiet during the day, but borders commercial corridors with higher crime rates. Visitors coming for local dining or visiting residents should stick to daylight hours and exercise standard urban awareness.”
Southside Richmond corridors including Midlothian Turnpike have been subject to targeted police operations addressing localized gun violence and traffic enforcement.
About the area
Pinehurst is an established, mid-century residential neighborhood in Richmond's Southside bordered by Midlothian Turnpike. The area is characterized by modest single-family ranch homes, a culturally diverse working-class population, and strip retail along its perimeter.
- Working-Class
- Car-Dependent
- Suburban Grid
- Culturally Diverse
Walking and biking in Pinehurst
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are no RVA Bike Share stations or dedicated on-street bike lanes within the neighborhood, though riders can access off-road trails at nearby Powhite Park via local roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Diverse selection of authentic Latin American and international eateries nearby
- Primarily quiet residential side streets with established single-family homes
- Convenient vehicle access to Chippenham Parkway (VA-150) and Midlothian Turnpike
Cons
- Higher property crime rates including vehicle break-ins compared to regional averages
- Elevated violent crime rates in adjacent commercial strips and nearby apartment complexes
- Inconsistent pedestrian infrastructure with missing sidewalks and dim street lighting
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential core of Pinehurst, though individuals experiencing homelessness and occasional panhandling are observed along major intersections on Midlothian Turnpike.
What Pinehurst is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Quiet and tranquil as residents head to work, feeling safe for routine morning walks on residential blocks.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm throughout the neighborhood interior, with steady vehicular traffic and commercial bustle along perimeter roads.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity concentrates near local dining spots while residential side streets grow dark; standard caution is advised.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Walking alone is not recommended due to limited street illumination and increased risk of opportunistic crime near the main corridors.
Transit, parking and getting around
Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) operates zero-fare local bus routes, notably Route 1A/1B/1C along Midlothian Turnpike, though there is no direct connection to the Pulse BRT line without transferring downtown.
Parking is abundant and free, with ample private driveways, unmetered street parking throughout residential blocks, and free surface parking lots fronting local shopping centers.
Things to do in Pinehurst
- Sample authentic regional Mexican dishes and guisados along Midlothian Turnpike
- Browse international grocery stores and specialty bakeries serving the Southside community
- Take a short drive north to Powhite Park to access wooded multi-use hiking and mountain biking trails
Local favorites
- Abuelita's · Mexican Restaurant · 4.6★ (680)Acclaimed family-owned spot serving traditional Mexican guisados and home-style stews.
- Taqueria Panchito · Taqueria · 4.5★ (750)Popular no-frills taqueria famous for authentic street tacos, tortas, and flavorful salsas.
- Pho Saigon · Vietnamese Restaurant · 4.4★ (460)Longstanding strip-mall venue serving traditional pho bowls and classic Vietnamese entrees.
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.