Is Poplar Hill safe?
Chesapeake, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Poplar Hill as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Poplar Hill
“Go. Poplar Hill is an exceptionally safe, affluent, and quiet suburban neighborhood in the Western Branch sector of Chesapeake. Visitors and residents face virtually no violent crime risks, with safety considerations largely confined to basic precautions against occasional opportunistic vehicle tampering.”
About the area
Poplar Hill is an upscale, leafy residential community characterized by well-kept single-family homes, manicured lawns, and proximity to tidal waterways. Located in northwestern Chesapeake, it offers a tranquil environment with convenient driving access to nearby parks, golf clubs, and shopping centers.
- Suburban / Peaceful
- Family-Friendly
- Affluent Residential
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Poplar Hill
Walk score: 20/100 · Bike score: 35/100
There is no local bike-share program; while internal neighborhood streets are safe and pleasant for cycling, connecting to regional routes requires navigating busier thoroughfares that lack dedicated bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Extremely low violent crime rates well below both state and national averages
- Strong economic stability with high median household incomes and high homeownership rates
- Peaceful, well-lit residential streets ideal for quiet walks and family living
Cons
- Completely car-dependent layout with virtually no commercial destinations within walking distance
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like theft from unlocked parked vehicles
- Limited public transit connectivity to broader Hampton Roads employment and cultural hubs
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Poplar Hill, as the area is strictly residential and suburban without commercial retail corridors or encampments.
What Poplar Hill is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and very safe, with residents walking dogs and joggers exercising along quiet subdivision streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Tranquil and secure, with light local traffic and a relaxed neighborhood rhythm.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Safe and serene, with neighbors outdoors and low vehicle speeds throughout the residential avenues.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and dark with minimal activity; safety risks remain exceptionally low.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) provides limited regional bus service along peripheral corridors like Portsmouth Boulevard, but there is no direct bus route through the subdivision and no light rail connection.
Parking is free, abundant, and easily accessible via private driveways and unrestricted residential curbside parking.
Things to do in Poplar Hill
- Tee off at the scenic championship course at The Riverfront Golf Club just minutes away
- Hike the shaded trails and utilize the athletic facilities at Western Branch Park
- Launch a kayak or paddleboard along the scenic tributaries of the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River
Local favorites
- The Riverfront Golf Club · Golf Course & Clubhouse · 4.4★ (380)A beautifully designed 18-hole championship course featuring scenic waterfront views and a full-service grill.
- Chesapeake Pizza · Pizza Restaurant · 4.4★ (680)A longstanding local institution serving traditional hand-tossed pizzas, hot oven subs, and classic pasta dishes.
- Cutlass Grille · Caribbean / Barbecue · 4.7★ (950)A beloved local eatery serving authentic Jamaican jerk specialties, smoked barbecue, and traditional island sides.
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.