Is Apison safe?
Chattanooga, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Apison as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Apison
“Go. Apison is an exceptionally peaceful, semi-rural suburban community on the outer edge of Hamilton County with virtually nonexistent violent crime. Visitors will find scenic rolling hills, tranquil residential roads, and a quiet, family-oriented atmosphere.”
Infrastructure improvements along Apison Pike have recently eased traffic congestion and enhanced road safety for local commuters.
About the area
Located east of Chattanooga and bordering Collegedale, Apison is a fast-growing, affluent enclave characterized by spacious single-family homes, farmland, and equestrian properties. It offers a pastoral retreat with easy vehicle access to the dining and shopping hubs of Ooltewah and Collegedale.
- Semi-Rural
- Peaceful
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Apison
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 18/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes or bike-share programs in Apison; cyclists share narrow rural roads with vehicular traffic, though paved multi-use paths are accessible a short drive away on the Collegedale Greenway.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent and property crime rates are among the lowest in the greater Chattanooga metropolitan area
- High median household incomes well exceeding $90,000 and homeownership rates above 85%
- Quiet rural-suburban scenery with very low density and minimal urban disruption
Cons
- Virtually zero public transit or sidewalk infrastructure, necessitating a car for all trips
- Narrow, winding two-lane country roads with limited street lighting after dark
- Very few commercial, dining, or retail options within immediate neighborhood boundaries
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in Apison, with no encampments or panhandling present; emergency social services are concentrated in central Chattanooga roughly 20 miles to the west.
What Apison is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Crisp and quiet with light local commuter traffic on main arteries and practically zero crime risk.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and sunny with neighborhood residents out tending properties or driving to nearby commercial centers.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Serene and residential with minimal through-traffic, though dark country lanes require attentive driving.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-black and exceptionally quiet with virtually no activity or safety hazards beyond wildlife crossing roads.
Transit, parking and getting around
There is no public transit service in Apison; Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) buses do not extend this far east, so private personal transport or rideshares are required.
Parking is completely effortless and universally free across private driveways, local church lots, and retail plazas.
Things to do in Apison
- Enjoy the outdoor recreation and playgrounds at nearby Little Debbie Park in adjacent Collegedale
- Take a scenic driving tour along rural backroads past local horse farms and rolling pastures
- Explore the walking paths and greenway connections at the nearby Collegedale Greenway
Local favorites
- Couch's Barbecue · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.5★ (750)Long-running local institution serving traditional pit-smoked barbecue and homestyle Southern sides on Apison Pike.
- Wired Coffee Bar · Coffee Shop · 4.7★ (420)Cozy nearby community cafe offering specialty espresso drinks, loose-leaf teas, and baked goods.
- Southern Belle Farm & Bakery · Bakery & Farm Stand · 4.6★ (115)Rustic local shop offering fresh-baked goods, seasonal produce, and locally sourced specialty foods.
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.
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