Is Virginia safe?
Bessemer, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Virginia as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Virginia
“Go with care. Virginia is a quiet, semi-rural residential community on the western edge of Bessemer that experiences less dense street activity than the city center, but it still sits within a municipal jurisdiction with high rates of violent and property crime. Keep to planned daytime destinations and secure your vehicle.”
Bessemer law enforcement continues citywide initiatives targeting property theft and regional gun violence that periodically affect perimeter neighborhoods.
About the area
Virginia is a former mining settlement turned quiet, low-density residential neighborhood located southwest of central Bessemer. The area is characterized by older single-family homes, wooded lots, and scattered local businesses along key county roadways. Visitors typically pass through rather than tour, given the lack of traditional tourist infrastructure.
- Rural / Wooded
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Historic Mining Heritage
Walking and biking in Virginia
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 18/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes or bike-share stations in Virginia, and narrow roads with minimal shoulders make cycling suitable only for experienced rural riders.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower population density and traffic compared to central Bessemer
- High rate of single-family homeownership fostering neighborhood stability
- Generous lot sizes and quiet natural surroundings
Cons
- Bessemer jurisdiction has elevated per-capita violent and property crime rates
- Elevated local poverty rates and limited nearby commercial development
- Lack of pedestrian infrastructure such as sidewalks and street lighting
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in the Virginia neighborhood due to its low-density residential layout, though occasional unhoused individuals may be seen closer to central Bessemer commercial corridors.
What Virginia is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and sparsely populated as residents commute, with minimal foot traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm with occasional neighborhood vehicle traffic and low overall activity.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet as daylight fades, though limited street lighting requires extra driver awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and isolated; walking along unlit roads is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is virtually nonexistent in this section of Bessemer; MAX Transit (BJCTA) serves central Bessemer routes, but does not offer frequent or direct service into the Virginia area.
Parking is exclusively free on private driveways, unmetered shoulders, or commercial lots with ample availability.
Things to do in Virginia
- Explore local history along the historic mining routes and roads connecting Bessemer to Jefferson County mining country
- Visit nearby DeBardeleben Park in downtown Bessemer for outdoor recreation and local events
- Browse local regional produce stands and small country stores along Lock 17 Road
Local favorites
- The Bright Star · Southern & Greek Restaurant · 4.6★ (3200)Alabama's oldest continuously operating restaurant, known for classic snapper, steaks, and Greek-style seafood just a short drive away.
- Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.4★ (2950)Iconic pit-cooked Southern barbecue staple serving ribs and pork sandwiches in Bessemer since 1957.
- Milo's Hamburgers · Fast Food · 4.2★ (1100)Beloved regional chain famous for saucy burgers, crinkle fries, and sweet tea.
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.