Editor’s Note: This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. Don’t freak out we updated this article for 2021. This is our fifth time ranking the worst neighborhoods to live in Richmond.
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Richmond's neighborhoods conjure up too many stereotypes to count. You've got hipster areas, preppy places, neighborhoods where college kids thrive, and of course, ghettos.
It seems as if there's a neighborhood for everyone in Richmond.
And while the city consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the country thanks in part to a strong economy and tons of entertainment, it's not all rainbows and sunshine in Richmond. Some neighborhoods aren't as great as others.
So the question arises, which Richmond neighborhoods are the worst, and which are the best?
Today, we'll use science and data to determine which Richmond hoods need a little tender loving care - the sore thumbs of the Richmond area if you will. Realistically, you can't expect all the neighborhoods to be amazing, although Mary Munford ranks way above the rest.
We examined 134 of Richmond's neighborhoods to find out the worst places to live. These places don't quite measure up to Richmond's reputation.
So what's the worst neighborhood to live in Richmond for 2021? According to the most recent census data, Cofer looks to be the worst neighborhood in Richmond.
Read on to see how we determined the places around Richmond that need a pick-me-up. And remember, don't blame the messenger.
Once you're done, you can look at the bottom of the story for a complete chart of every neighborhood we looked at from worst to best. Looking for places to avoid outside of the city? You can also check out the worst suburbs of Richmond.
For more Virginia reading, check out:
The 10 Worst Neighborhoods In Richmond For 2021
Population: 357
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $36,150 (worst)
Median Income: $27,474 (23rd worst)
More on Cofer: Data
Population: 1,511
Rank Last Year: 3 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $55,667 (4th worst)
Median Income: $31,698 (39th worst)
More on Oak Grove: Data
Population: 725
Rank Last Year: 5 (Up 2)
Median Home Value: $91,650 (19th worst)
Median Income: $27,772 (25th worst)
More on Mcguire: Data
Population: 2,196
Rank Last Year: 7 (Up 3)
Median Home Value: $44,200 (2nd worst)
Median Income: $27,816 (26th worst)
More on Jeff Davis: Data
Population: 789
Rank Last Year: 8 (Up 3)
Median Home Value: $116,100 (37th worst)
Median Income: $25,100 (15th worst)
More on Elkhardt: Data
Population: 728
Rank Last Year: 6 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $66,800 (8th worst)
Median Income: $16,732 (5th worst)
More on Hillside Court: Data
Population: 708
Rank Last Year: 4 (Down 3)
Median Home Value: $68,200 (9th worst)
Median Income: $25,694 (17th worst)
More on Broad Rock: Data
Population: 306
Rank Last Year: 14 (Up 6)
Median Home Value: $103,400 (28th worst)
Median Income: $37,159 (62nd worst)
More on Oakwood: Data
Population: 314
Rank Last Year: 19 (Up 10)
Median Home Value: $136,300 (57th worst)
Median Income: $25,938 (18th worst)
More on Maymont: Data
Population: 601
Rank Last Year: 11 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $120,200 (44th worst)
Median Income: $26,711 (20th worst)
More on Washington Park: Data
How we determined the worst Richmond hoods in 2021
To figure out how bad a place is to live in, we only needed to know what kinds of things people like and then decide what places have the least amount of those things. We threw the following criteria into this analysis in order to get the best, most complete results possible. We used this set of criteria for each neighborhood in Richmond:
- High unemployment (Less jobs)
- Low median income (Less pay)
- Low population density (No things to do)
- Low home values (No one's willing to pay to live here)
- High crime (Estimated)
Then, we ranked each neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia for each of these criteria from worst to best.
Next, we averaged the individual rankings for each criteria into a "Worst Score".
The neighborhood with the lowest "Worst Score" ranks as the worst neighborhood of Richmond.
Read on below to learn more about these terrible places around Richmond to live. Or skip to the end to see the list of all 134 neighborhoods ranked from worst to best.
This list is a scientific analysis based on real data and is completely unbiased. Hold on to your pants.
The 'hoods around Richmond that are really hoods
Well there you have it -- the worst of the neighborhoods in Richmond with Cofer landing at the bottom of the pack.
As we mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Richmond aren't all bad. Mary Munford takes the cake as the best place to live in Richmond.
We ranked the neighborhoods from worst to best in the chart below.
For more Virginia reading, check out:
Where Are The Worst Neighborhoods To Live In Richmond For 2021?
Rank |
Neighborhood |
Population |
Home Value |
Median Income |
1 |
Cofer |
357 |
$36,150 |
$27,474 |
2 |
Oak Grove |
1,511 |
$55,667 |
$31,698 |
3 |
Mcguire |
725 |
$91,650 |
$27,772 |
4 |
Jeff Davis |
2,196 |
$44,200 |
$27,816 |
5 |
Elkhardt |
789 |
$116,100 |
$25,100 |
6 |
Hillside Court |
728 |
$66,800 |
$16,732 |
7 |
Broad Rock |
708 |
$68,200 |
$25,694 |
8 |
Oakwood |
306 |
$103,400 |
$37,159 |
9 |
Maymont |
314 |
$136,300 |
$25,938 |
10 |
Washington Park |
601 |
$120,200 |
$26,711 |
11 |
Biotech And Mcv District |
506 |
$118,750 |
$28,125 |
12 |
Peter Paul |
768 |
$85,200 |
$22,004 |
13 |
Parnell Industrial Area |
889 |
$93,550 |
$32,636 |
14 |
Davee Gardens |
43 |
$59,600 |
$29,063 |
15 |
Midlothian |
3,735 |
$111,812 |
$33,587 |
16 |
Woodville |
755 |
$85,200 |
$22,004 |
17 |
Broad Rock Industrial Park |
1,207 |
$51,133 |
$25,689 |
18 |
Highland Terrace |
753 |
$89,950 |
$29,649 |
19 |
Bellemeade |
2,357 |
$73,133 |
$27,535 |
20 |
Chamberlayne Industrial Center |
1,071 |
$130,767 |
$35,993 |
21 |
Swansboro West |
2,060 |
$98,850 |
$21,406 |
22 |
Creighton |
1,085 |
$84,800 |
$11,581 |
23 |
Fairfield |
1,218 |
$81,900 |
$10,942 |
24 |
Hollywood Cemetery |
568 |
$119,200 |
$24,375 |
25 |
Swansboro |
2,229 |
$148,900 |
$35,306 |
26 |
Southern Barton Heights |
750 |
$139,867 |
$39,618 |
27 |
Pine Camp |
451 |
$120,200 |
$26,711 |
28 |
Blackwell |
1,428 |
$128,367 |
$35,756 |
29 |
Green Park |
664 |
$97,800 |
$31,462 |
30 |
Mcguire Veterans Hospital |
459 |
$135,600 |
$35,536 |
31 |
Fairmount |
1,300 |
$63,567 |
$17,747 |
32 |
Upper Shockoe Valley |
1,491 |
$74,250 |
$18,752 |
33 |
Providence Park |
1,148 |
$101,550 |
$29,920 |
34 |
Whitcomb |
2,820 |
$95,467 |
$20,537 |
35 |
Cullenwood |
268 |
$135,600 |
$35,536 |
36 |
Old Town Manchester |
1,520 |
$128,150 |
$39,884 |
37 |
John Marshall |
850 |
$241,600 |
$30,827 |
38 |
Brauers |
725 |
$97,500 |
$20,357 |
39 |
Belle And Mayo Islands |
173 |
$175,500 |
$31,063 |
40 |
Maury |
921 |
$65,500 |
$29,241 |
41 |
Swanson |
1,062 |
$113,600 |
$42,466 |
42 |
Virginia Union |
1,544 |
$152,125 |
$47,192 |
43 |
Ginter Park Terrace |
366 |
$150,600 |
$43,438 |
44 |
Mcguire Manor |
1,373 |
$110,000 |
$38,393 |
45 |
Hioaks |
1,328 |
$70,200 |
$33,516 |
46 |
Magnolia Industrial Center |
692 |
$116,200 |
$26,554 |
47 |
Belt Center |
831 |
$127,050 |
$45,910 |
48 |
Warwick |
621 |
$113,600 |
$42,466 |
49 |
Deerbourne |
691 |
$123,450 |
$35,631 |
50 |
City Center |
454 |
$240,267 |
$32,624 |
51 |
Pocoshock |
412 |
$113,600 |
$42,466 |
52 |
Highland Park Southern Tip |
1,715 |
$113,175 |
$33,429 |
53 |
Worthington |
1,230 |
$114,850 |
$33,783 |
54 |
Jahnke |
3,040 |
$120,950 |
$38,910 |
55 |
Carver |
2,454 |
$156,300 |
$35,958 |
56 |
Capitol District |
288 |
$241,650 |
$37,123 |
57 |
British Camp Farms |
1,634 |
$126,250 |
$41,170 |
58 |
Church Hill North |
2,068 |
$136,580 |
$37,656 |
59 |
North Highland Park |
3,149 |
$102,067 |
$32,693 |
60 |
Fulton |
4,591 |
$125,325 |
$29,791 |
61 |
Belmont Woods |
519 |
$167,300 |
$42,853 |
62 |
Maymont Park |
212 |
$197,100 |
$59,100 |
63 |
Brookbury |
591 |
$167,300 |
$42,853 |
64 |
Hickory Hill |
1,529 |
$113,600 |
$43,144 |
65 |
Jackson Ward |
1,753 |
$237,500 |
$28,125 |
66 |
Brookland Park |
1,945 |
$140,367 |
$37,118 |
67 |
Oakwood Cemetery |
1,298 |
$103,400 |
$37,159 |
68 |
Piney Knolls |
3,545 |
$146,150 |
$36,540 |
69 |
Monroe Ward |
2,193 |
$241,650 |
$30,694 |
70 |
Northern Barton Heights |
2,503 |
$160,000 |
$43,478 |
71 |
The Diamond |
1,021 |
$212,700 |
$57,580 |
72 |
Union Hill |
1,260 |
$182,500 |
$31,748 |
73 |
Woodhaven |
1,959 |
$116,400 |
$36,128 |
74 |
Eastview |
1,292 |
$79,000 |
$10,304 |
75 |
Newtowne West |
181 |
$206,600 |
$49,306 |
76 |
Museums |
263 |
$206,600 |
$49,306 |
77 |
Stadium |
351 |
$162,500 |
$42,216 |
78 |
Brookhaven Farms |
279 |
$179,800 |
$43,737 |
79 |
Gambles Hill |
343 |
$483,300 |
$37,123 |
80 |
Beaufont |
1,400 |
$129,600 |
$31,633 |
81 |
Walmsley |
2,485 |
$144,450 |
$43,834 |
82 |
Forest View |
819 |
$215,767 |
$51,837 |
83 |
Vcu |
3,791 |
$291,700 |
$15,898 |
84 |
Carillon |
560 |
$218,750 |
$68,020 |
85 |
Northrop |
1,426 |
$235,000 |
$24,777 |
86 |
South Garden |
2,008 |
$116,900 |
$44,849 |
87 |
Broad Rock Sports Complex |
396 |
$116,900 |
$44,849 |
88 |
Byrd Park |
1,436 |
$216,600 |
$63,763 |
89 |
Reedy Creek |
1,363 |
$166,200 |
$26,875 |
90 |
Scott's Addition |
566 |
$224,350 |
$45,348 |
91 |
Randolph |
2,867 |
$176,067 |
$41,655 |
92 |
Stony Point |
1,053 |
$325,900 |
$86,621 |
93 |
Powhite Park |
310 |
$189,400 |
$60,734 |
94 |
Chippenham Forest |
1,127 |
$280,000 |
$50,320 |
95 |
Cottrell Farms |
1,012 |
$145,050 |
$40,763 |
96 |
Edgewood |
780 |
$148,850 |
$56,274 |
97 |
Ginter Park |
4,164 |
$257,286 |
$50,565 |
98 |
Woodland Heights |
2,160 |
$203,825 |
$48,226 |
99 |
Rosedale |
780 |
$253,000 |
$51,702 |
100 |
Shockoe Bottom |
2,545 |
$254,350 |
$40,956 |
101 |
Westover |
2,917 |
$148,550 |
$44,202 |
102 |
Forest Hill Park |
391 |
$267,850 |
$64,032 |
103 |
Gravel Hill |
577 |
$235,050 |
$67,228 |
104 |
Fawnbrook |
562 |
$179,800 |
$43,737 |
105 |
Shockoe Slip |
181 |
$483,300 |
$37,123 |
106 |
Country Club Of Virginia |
560 |
$313,550 |
$150,667 |
107 |
Chimborazo |
1,713 |
$203,633 |
$43,921 |
108 |
Central Office |
245 |
$483,300 |
$37,123 |
109 |
Bryan Park |
933 |
$287,200 |
$37,549 |
110 |
Westlake Hills |
1,641 |
$180,433 |
$45,592 |
111 |
Cedarhurst |
2,102 |
$179,600 |
$57,756 |
112 |
Stratford Hills |
2,786 |
$259,025 |
$86,908 |
113 |
Willow Oaks |
610 |
$231,600 |
$56,538 |
114 |
Oregon Hill |
1,330 |
$198,200 |
$56,071 |
115 |
Church Hill |
2,389 |
$258,120 |
$51,391 |
116 |
Sauer's Gardens |
1,042 |
$255,000 |
$63,936 |
117 |
Forest Hill |
1,061 |
$260,000 |
$80,692 |
118 |
Westover Hills West |
635 |
$196,100 |
$70,909 |
119 |
Forest Hill Terrace |
1,167 |
$236,950 |
$57,652 |
120 |
Huguenot |
3,374 |
$276,850 |
$86,355 |
121 |
Monument Avenue Park |
631 |
$267,900 |
$86,484 |
122 |
Carytown |
1,965 |
$298,150 |
$56,769 |
123 |
Bellevue |
2,672 |
$270,133 |
$62,486 |
124 |
Willow Lawn |
997 |
$333,700 |
$87,861 |
125 |
Westover Hills |
1,031 |
$253,350 |
$65,729 |
126 |
Sherwood Park |
813 |
$242,400 |
$69,063 |
127 |
Oxford |
2,122 |
$286,400 |
$83,076 |
128 |
The Fan |
13,216 |
$383,990 |
$55,164 |
129 |
The Museum District |
6,902 |
$334,660 |
$54,284 |
130 |
Stonewall Court |
942 |
$483,450 |
$127,808 |
131 |
Three Chopt |
2,235 |
$433,900 |
$110,615 |
132 |
Malvern Gardens |
1,494 |
$316,800 |
$77,642 |
133 |
Colonial Place |
2,098 |
$379,950 |
$105,212 |
134 |
Mary Munford |
1,463 |
$373,500 |
$70,202 |
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