Is Westham safe?
Henrico, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Westham as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Westham
“Go. Westham is an exceptionally safe, affluent suburban neighborhood located in Henrico County right beside the University of Richmond. Violent crime is practically nonexistent, making it one of the quietest and most secure residential areas in the Richmond metropolitan region.”
About the area
Westham is a prestigious, leafy enclave characterized by spacious mid-century and colonial single-family homes on large, manicured lots. Bordering the University of Richmond, it offers a serene, tree-shaded environment populated largely by professionals and families.
- Affluent
- Tree-Lined
- Quiet Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Westham
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 42/100
There is no local municipal bike-share system here; while residential streets are quiet for riding, dedicated bike lanes are limited to major connecting university corridors.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are near zero with exceptionally low property crime compared to national and regional averages
- High median household incomes well exceeding $150,000 and strong homeownership rates
- Peaceful, well-lit residential streets with mature canopy trees and minimal cut-through traffic
- Immediate adjacency to the scenic, well-patrolled University of Richmond campus
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent with few sidewalks along interior residential roads
- Virtually no commercial or dining businesses within the immediate residential interior
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle break-ins common to wealthy suburban corridors
- Limited public transit access connecting directly into the neighborhood
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Westham, with no encampments or panhandling in the area.
What Westham is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with neighborhood residents walking dogs and joggers heading toward the university campus.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet and safe with low vehicle traffic on interior residential lanes.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and residential with families home from work and excellent overall safety.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and dark due to residential street lighting, but exceptionally safe from crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
GRTC Transit System operates bus lines on nearby primary corridors like River Road and Patterson Avenue, but interior residential access is limited, requiring a vehicle for most travel.
Free, ample private driveway parking and easy street parking throughout the neighborhood without meters or restrictions.
Things to do in Westham
- Take a scenic walk around the adjacent University of Richmond campus and Westhampton Lake
- Explore nature trails and open meadows at nearby Bandy Field Nature Park
- Enjoy boutique shopping and dining at the nearby River Road Shopping Center
Local favorites
- Azzurro · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (460)Upscale Italian dining serving handmade pastas and regional dishes in an elegant setting near Westham.
- The Grill at Libbie and Patterson · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (680)A long-standing local staple serving classic comfort fare, burgers, and breakfast.
- Taste · Specialty Market & Cafe · 4.6★ (310)Gourmet sandwich shop and specialty food market offering high-end pantry goods and lunches.
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.