Is Orange Mound safe?
Memphis, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates Orange Mound as “No-go after dark”.
Gogo's take on Orange Mound
“Skip or Go with extreme care. While Orange Mound holds monumental historical significance as one of the first planned Black communities in the South, it faces acute safety challenges. Casual visits are not advised unless accompanied by local guides or visiting specific daytime community events.”
A high-profile mass shooting at an unpermitted block party in Orange Mound Park in April 2024 left multiple dead and injured, spurring heightened police presence and renewed safety initiatives.
About the area
Orange Mound is a storied, historic residential neighborhood in Southeast Memphis known for its rich cultural legacy, strong communal roots, and historic schools. Today, the area contends with severe economic disinvestment, high structural vacancy, and persistent crime challenges alongside focused revitalization efforts.
- Historic
- Residential
- Under-Resourced
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Orange Mound
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 42/100
Dedicated cycling lanes and Explore Bike Share docks are minimal, and there are no direct off-street greenway connections passing directly through the neighborhood.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Deep cultural heritage as the first neighborhood in the United States developed by and for African Americans
- Active, dedicated community organizations and historic preservation grassroots initiatives
- Home to celebrated legacy food establishments and neighborhood institutions
Cons
- Violent crime and firearm-related offenses occur at rates far exceeding national and city averages
- High poverty rate exceeding 35% along with widespread residential and commercial vacancy
- Substantial infrastructure deficits, including damaged sidewalks and limited streetlighting
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present, mostly manifested around transit stops, abandoned commercial parcels, and along Park Avenue. Primary shelter services and formal resources are situated further west near Downtown Memphis.
What Orange Mound is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are generally quiet with standard commuter traffic, though basic situational awareness is still needed.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Daytime sees local activity around community hubs and main avenues, but visitors should remain vigilant and stick to familiar destinations.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity thins quickly at dusk, with an elevated risk of opportunistic property crime and violent incidents.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Walking around after dark is strongly discouraged due to heightened risks of gunfire, robbery, and limited visibility.
Transit, parking and getting around
The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) services the neighborhood via bus lines such as Route 32 and Route 52 along Park Avenue. There is no rapid transit or passenger rail service in the immediate area.
Free on-street parking is readily available throughout residential streets and commercial corridors. Commercial parking lots are unmetered but mostly consist of small, unattended surface lots.
Things to do in Orange Mound
- Visit the historic Melrose High School and the adjacent cultural development projects
- Explore local heritage exhibits at the Orange Mound Community Center
- Sample authentic Memphis barbecue and soul food at traditional neighborhood smokehouses
Local favorites
- Super Submarine Sandwich Shop · Sandwich Shop · 4.6★ (320)A neighborhood fixture famous for generous, classic hot subs and seasoned fries.
- Ball Hoggerz BBQ · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.3★ (260)Down-home smokehouse specializing in pit-smoked ribs, turkey legs, and homestyle sides.
- Orange Mound Community Center · Community Center · 4.5★ (110)Historic public center hosting youth programming, senior services, and community gatherings.
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.
Add this score to your site
Writing about Orange Mound? Copy this code to show its live safety score on your blog or listing.