Is Sherwood safe?
Portsmouth, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Sherwood as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Sherwood
“Go with care. Sherwood is primarily a quiet, working-class residential neighborhood, but it sits within Portsmouth's broader environment of elevated property crime and occasional regional violence. Visitors have little reason to feel alarmed during normal daylight visits, but standard personal and vehicle awareness is essential after dark.”
Recent municipal reports highlight ongoing citywide initiatives across Portsmouth aimed at curbing property thefts and youth gun violence.
About the area
Sherwood is an established mid-century residential community in Portsmouth, Virginia, characterized by single-family ranch homes and mature foliage. It offers a low-key suburban setting with quick driving access to military installations, shipyards, and major Hampton Roads connectors.
- Residential
- Quiet
- Car-Dependent
- Suburban
Walking and biking in Sherwood
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 40/100
There are no dedicated on-street bike lanes or public bike-share stations in Sherwood, though light local streets can accommodate casual neighborhood riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Stable residential pocket with a strong base of long-term homeowners
- Quiet neighborhood streets with minimal through-traffic congestion
- Convenient vehicular proximity to regional employers and Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Cons
- Property crime and vehicle theft rates exceed national and state averages
- Portsmouth's broader municipal crime challenges occasionally spill into outer residential pockets
- Very limited pedestrian infrastructure, with minimal sidewalks on secondary roads
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a significant factor within this residential neighborhood, with unhoused individuals and shelters primarily located in central and commercial Portsmouth districts.
What Sherwood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and quiet as neighbors commute and walk dogs, with very little pedestrian traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Remains peaceful with regular residential activity, feeling safe for daytime visitors.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Street activity subsides early, though poorly lit corners warrant increased awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are mostly deserted; walking alone is not recommended due to property crime and limited visibility.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) provides local bus service along nearby arterials such as Route 45, though frequency is moderate and rail transit is not available nearby.
Street parking along residential curbs and private driveways is ample, free, and unrestricted.
Things to do in Sherwood
- Take a quiet morning stroll along the tree-lined residential streets
- Explore the nearby restored wetlands and walking paths at Paradise Creek Nature Park
- Visit the nearby historic waterfront and museums in Olde Towne Portsmouth
Local favorites
- Pollard's Chicken · Southern Restaurant · 4.3★ (620)Long-running local fixture serving traditional fried chicken, tenders, and homestyle Southern sides.
- Cutlass Grille · Jamaican Restaurant · 4.6★ (890)Popular local spot serving authentic jerk chicken, smoked meats, and Caribbean comfort food.
- Roger Brown's Restaurant and Sports Bar · Sports Bar & Grill · 4.2★ (1750)Spacious regional gathering place offering classic pub fare, seafood, and extensive sports viewing.
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.