The 10 Worst Neighborhoods In Richmond For 2021


We used data and science to identify the neighborhoods in Richmond that are the real pits.

Sam Sparkes, RoadSnacks
December 30, 2020 - 67,279 views
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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.
Worst Neighborhoods In Richmond
Source: Wikipedia User CoredesatChikai | CC BY-SA 2.0

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

1. Cofer

Overall SnackAbility

1
/10

Population: 357
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $36,150 (worst)
Median Income: $27,474 (23rd worst)
More on Cofer:  Data

2. Oak Grove

Overall SnackAbility

2
/10

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

3. Mcguire

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

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

4. Jeff Davis

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

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

5. Elkhardt

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

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

6. Hillside Court

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

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

7. Broad Rock

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

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

8. Oakwood

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

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

9. Maymont

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

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

10. Washington Park

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

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

 Rankings, Worst