Is Raleigh Terrace safe?
Hampton, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Raleigh Terrace as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Raleigh Terrace
“Go with care. Raleigh Terrace is a quiet, older working-class residential neighborhood, but nearby commercial thoroughfares experience elevated rates of property crime and occasional violent incidents. Daytime visits are generally uneventful, but standard urban precautions are recommended after dark.”
Local police have stepped up patrols along neighboring Shell Road following sporadic reports of shots fired and property theft in the broader district.
About the area
Raleigh Terrace is a modest, mid-century residential enclave located in south-central Hampton. The neighborhood consists primarily of single-family homes on small lots with proximity to major transit corridors like Shell Road and Pembroke Avenue.
- Residential
- Working-Class
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
Walking and biking in Raleigh Terrace
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 51/100
There is no dedicated bike-share program in the neighborhood; cycling is mostly on shared roadways without designated bike lanes, though the Water Street Trail and downtown paths are accessible a short ride away.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Primarily quiet residential streets with limited pass-through vehicle traffic
- Close driving proximity to downtown Hampton waterfront and military installations
- Established residential base with high rate of long-term community residency
Cons
- Elevated property crime rates compared to outer Hampton suburbs, particularly vehicle theft
- Below-average median household income and pockets of aging, deferred-maintenance housing
- Limited street lighting along some interior residential blocks and alleyways
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior residential streets, though occasional panhandling or unhoused individuals may be seen near major intersections and commercial strips along West Pembroke Avenue and Shell Road.
What Raleigh Terrace is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet as residents commute to work, with low foot traffic and minimal safety concerns.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm atmosphere with school buses and residents running errands along surrounding corridors.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down quickly on interior streets, though staying aware of surroundings is advised along main perimeter roads.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are very quiet with sparse lighting; walking alone is not recommended late at night due to occasional opportunistic theft.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) operates local bus routes including Route 118 and Route 103 along nearby corridors like Shell Road and West Pembroke Avenue. There is no rail transit service in the immediate area.
Street parking is generally free and readily available along residential curbs, with most homes featuring private driveways.
Things to do in Raleigh Terrace
- Explore the nearby historic grounds of Hampton University and the Emancipation Oak
- Take a short drive to the Virginia Air & Space Science Center in Downtown Hampton
- Enjoy outdoor walking trails and sports fields at nearby Briarfield Park
Local favorites
- County Grill & Smokehouse · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.5★ (2300)Popular regional smokehouse offering slow-smoked ribs, brisket, and traditional southern sides.
- Tommy's Restaurant · Diner · 4.6★ (1150)Classic family-owned diner serving hearty country breakfasts and traditional American lunch fare.
- The Grey Goose · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (520)Charming southern bistro in nearby downtown serving homestyle soups, sandwiches, and bakery treats.
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.