Cities / Knoxville / Bearden vs Sequoyah Hills
Bearden vs Sequoyah Hills: which is safer?
Sequoyah Hills is the safer of the two — 95/100 against 87/100. Go. Sequoyah Hills is one of Knoxville's safest, most prestigious, and scenic historic neighborhoods. Visitors can freely enjoy waterfront parks and picturesque streets with virtually no concerns regarding violent crime.
Bearden
Knoxville, Tennessee
87
out of 100 · Go
Bearden is an upscale West Knoxville neighborhood centered along Kingston Pike, featuring premier local dining, independent boutiques, and the trendy Homberg Cultural District. It blends active commercial centers with manicured, high-value residential pockets just minutes west of the University of Tennessee campus.
- Walk score
- 54
- Bike score
- 48
Pros
- Violent crime rates are consistently well below both Knoxville city and national benchmarks.
- Strong local economy marked by high median household incomes, high educational attainment, and low poverty.
- Well-maintained, stable housing stock with minimal residential vacancy and active neighborhood associations.
Cons
- Opportunistic property crime occurs periodically in large commercial and retail parking plazas.
- High-speed vehicular traffic on multi-lane Kingston Pike creates genuine hazards for pedestrians crossing the corridor.
- Some commercial side streets lack continuous sidewalks and consistent evening illumination.
Sequoyah Hills
Knoxville, Tennessee
95
out of 100 · Go
Sequoyah Hills is an affluent residential peninsula along the Tennessee River defined by rolling topography, grand historic estates, and canopy-covered roads. Its main thoroughfare, Cherokee Boulevard, is renowned for its linear waterfront park and trail system that attracts walkers, runners, and nature lovers from across the city.
- Walk score
- 24
- Bike score
- 38
Pros
- Violent crime rates are practically negligible, ranking among the lowest in the Knoxville metropolitan area.
- Very high median household income exceeding $140,000, high owner-occupancy, and pristine property maintenance.
- Expansive, well-tended riverside greenways and parks with active neighborhood stewardship.
Cons
- Almost entirely residential with very few commercial options or walkable dining hubs within the neighborhood.
- Occasional opportunistic theft from vehicles left unlocked at park parking lots.
- Limited sidewalks on interior residential side streets, requiring pedestrians to share narrow roads with vehicles.