Neighborhood Snapshot
Is Midtown East a Safe Place to Live? Housing, Crime & Buyer Guide
Explore safety, home prices, commute patterns, and neighborhood insights in Portsmouth, VA - so you can decide with confidence before buying or renting.
Most buyers only see the home. Smart buyers check the neighborhood first.
Crime Summary:
Crime Overview (last 12 months)
Severe616
Medium530
Low873
Other2855
248 Registered Offenders Nearby
Rape81
Child involved102
Assault89
Other32
Crime Details:
Recent reported incidents in the past 12 months (newest first). Up to 10 records.
| Crime date | Crime description | Address | Crime category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, engine and medic units were dispatched to the Barnes Trailer Park near Gilmerton Rd and Barnes Rd in Chesapeake for a possible overdose and suicide attempt; police were on scene and responders were to wait for scene safety confirmation. | Gilmerton Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23323 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, dispatch reports a possible violent domestic assault at a residence near Ashland Drive in Norfolk. The caller states she is being assaulted by her sister-in-law and the sister-in-law’s husband. Units are responding while more information is being gathered. | Ashland Ave, Norfolk, VA 23509 | Domestic Dispute |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, officers were sent to a Norfolk hospital for a walk-in gunshot victim, an adult man with an apparent non-life-threatening injury. Radio traffic indicated he was possibly assaulted and shot in the Huntersville area, and units were also sent there to check the location. Records checks suggested the victim may have outstanding felony warrants. | Gresham Dr, Norfolk, VA 23507 | Weapons |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, radio traffic reports a possible medical emergency in jail housing unit 3K, where an inmate appears to be having a seizure. Medical personnel are en route and an escort is requested. | unit":, 338 Boush St, Norfolk, VA 23510 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, dispatch reports a possible weapons incident with about 18 gunshots heard on the 1900 block of Greenleaf Drive, with shots described near both the back and front of a house. | Greenleaf Dr, Norfolk, VA 23523 | Weapons |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a non-violent psychiatric incident involving a male subject hearing voices occurred near E Olney Road and May Avenue. | E Olney Rd & May Ave, Norfolk, VA 23504 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, officers are dispatched to a possible commercial burglary alarm at a middle school on May Avenue. | May Ave, Norfolk, VA 23504 | Break-In |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, officers were dispatched to a home near West 42nd Street in Norfolk for a possible suspicious person. Several women inside reported seeing someone outside and said the person may have tried to open their door. No suspect description was available. | W 42nd St, Norfolk, VA 23508 | Suspicious Activity |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, units respond to a reported assault near Goodman Street in Norfolk. Radio traffic indicates a possible taser was involved and that six female suspects may have moved to a nearby street at a different location number. | Goodman St, Norfolk, VA 23523 | Assault Report |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, dispatch received a 911 open-line call from a location on Goodman Street on the south side, with multiple voices reportedly yelling in the background and no one speaking to the call taker. Officers treated it as a possible Taser use that escalated to a weapon call, and units responded and transported an adult male from the scene. | Goodman St, Norfolk, VA 23523 | Weapons |
For all crime details - View Safety Report
Median Home Price
$205,509
Average Rent
$1,801
Vacancy Rate
16.3%
Overview
Midtown East is a suburban neighborhood in Portsmouth, Virginia, characterized by a mix of medium to small apartment complexes and single-family homes.
The median home price is $205,509, making it more affordable than most neighborhoods in Virginia and the U.S.
Vacancy rates are relatively high at 16.3%, indicating a significant number of unoccupied homes year-round.
Most residences were built between 1970 and 1999, with some dating back to 1940-1969.
SuburbanAffordable HousingHigh VacancyEstablished Homes
Quick Facts
| Suburban Neighborhood | Yes |
|---|
Housing market and real estate character
Midtown East's housing stock consists mainly of medium to small apartment complexes and single-family homes, with a majority renter occupancy.
| Renter Occupied Housing | Majority |
|---|---|
| Housing Age | Most built 1970-1999; some 1940-1969 |
What buyers will notice right away
Vacancy at 16.3% suggests many unoccupied homes, which may affect neighborhood dynamics.
Most homes are renter occupied, indicating a transient or rental-focused community.
Families & Lifestyle
Midtown East has a unique social profile with a high concentration of single mother households and a workforce dominated by sales and service occupations.
Community Employment — Over half the working population is employed in sales and service jobs, with clerical and tech support as the second largest group.
Family Structure — The neighborhood has a notably high rate of single mother households, which may reflect social and economic challenges.
| Single Mother Households | Higher than 98.8% of U.S. neighborhoods |
|---|---|
| Sales and Service Workers | 49.0% employed in this sector |
Demographics
| Per Capita Income | Lower than 97.8% of U.S. neighborhoods |
|---|---|
| Childhood Poverty Rate | 41.1% |
| Occupational Distribution | 51.0% sales/service, 21.5% clerical/tech, 16.2% executive/professional, 11.3% manufacturing/labor |
| English Speaking Households | 96.7% |
| African Ancestry | 16.6% |
| Sub-Saharan African Ancestry | 16.6% |
| Arab Ancestry | 3.0% |
| Cuban Ancestry | 1.2% |
Commute
Most Midtown East residents have a relatively short commute, with a strong reliance on driving alone and carpooling.
Midtown East offers a commute profile with a majority driving alone but an unusually high carpool rate, reflecting local travel patterns.
Short Commutes — Nearly half of residents commute between 15 and 30 minutes, shorter than the national average.
High Carpooling — Carpooling at 24.6% is significantly above the national norm, indicating community or economic factors influencing shared rides.
| Main Commute Time | 15 to 30 minutes (48.7% of workers) |
|---|---|
| Drive Alone Rate | 68.4% |
| Carpool Rate | 24.6% |
Homes for sale near 23707
For-sale listings in this zip code. Open a property in HoodScore to run a safety report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in Midtown East?
The median home price is $205,509, which is less expensive than nearly 90% of Virginia neighborhoods.
What types of housing are common in Midtown East?
Housing consists mainly of medium to small apartment complexes and single-family homes, with most residences renter occupied.
How diverse is Midtown East?
The neighborhood has a high concentration of residents with African and Sub-Saharan African ancestry, each at 16.6%, among the highest nationally.
What are common commute methods in Midtown East?
Most residents drive alone (68.4%), but carpooling is also popular at 24.6%, higher than most U.S. neighborhoods.