Is Belmont-Hillsboro North safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Belmont-Hillsboro North as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Belmont-Hillsboro North
“Go. Belmont-Hillsboro North is one of Nashville's safest, most picturesque, and architecturally charming neighborhoods. Violent crime is extremely low, and the area offers a secure, walkable experience bordered by Belmont University and Hillsboro Village.”
About the area
Belmont-Hillsboro North is a historic, leafy residential enclave recognized for its preserved Craftsman bungalows, upscale single-family homes, and collegiate energy. Visitors can enjoy quiet residential strolling alongside easy access to indie coffee shops, boutiques, and university campus landmarks.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Collegiate / Youthful
- Upscale Residential
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Belmont-Hillsboro North
Walk score: 78/100 · Bike score: 68/100
Dedicated bike lanes run along Belmont Boulevard and nearby 12th Avenue South, with Nashville BCycle stations positioned across the Belmont campus.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to both metro Nashville and national averages.
- Strong economic stability driven by high homeownership rates, affluent households, and high educational attainment.
- Active street presence and regular university security patrols alongside local community watch.
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as vehicle break-ins and package theft typical of university fringes.
- Spillover street parking congestion during Belmont University events and peak academic periods.
- Higher vehicle traffic along primary corridors like 21st Avenue South and Wedgewood Avenue.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential streets, though occasional unhoused individuals may be seen near transit stops along major perimeter arterials like 21st Avenue South.
What Belmont-Hillsboro North is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Quiet and exceptionally safe, filled with morning joggers, dog walkers, and commuting students.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Lively and welcoming, with steady pedestrian movement between residential blocks and campus facilities.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Relaxed and comfortable for evening strolls, with warm neighborhood lighting and neighborhood dining activity.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Calm and peaceful, though standard urban vigilance is recommended when walking along darker residential side streets.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit provides regular bus connections downtown via Route 17 (12th Avenue South) and Route 7 (Hillsboro Pike), with no light rail or BRT currently operating in the area.
Free on-street parking is common on residential streets, though some zones restrict parking during school hours; commercial lots and paid street spaces are available along 21st Avenue South.
Things to do in Belmont-Hillsboro North
- Tour the antebellum Belmont Mansion situated on the Belmont University campus.
- Take an architectural walking tour of early 20th-century bungalows along Belmont Boulevard and Linden Avenue.
- Browse indie boutiques, cafes, and local shops in the adjacent Hillsboro Village commercial strip.
Local favorites
- Bongo Java · Coffee Shop · 4.5★ (1250)Nashville's oldest coffeehouse, serving organic roasts, all-day cafe bites, and community atmosphere.
- International Market · Thai Restaurant · 4.6★ (1100)A legendary family-run institution serving authentic, acclaimed Thai cuisine and street food.
- Chago's Cantina · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (750)A lively local spot serving Latin-fusion tacos, quesadillas, and margaritas on Belmont Boulevard.
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.