Is Belmont-Hillsboro South 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 South as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Belmont-Hillsboro South
“Go. Belmont-Hillsboro South is one of Nashville's safest, most charming residential neighborhoods, ideal for walking and exploring at almost any hour. Visitors can comfortably explore its quiet, historic streets with standard urban common sense regarding parked vehicles.”
About the area
Belmont-Hillsboro South is a leafy, historic neighborhood characterized by early-20th-century craftsman bungalows, quiet streets, and proximity to Belmont and Lipscomb universities. The area blends collegiate energy with established family living, centered around a cozy neighborhood commercial strip on Belmont Boulevard.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Collegiate
- Peaceful
Walking and biking in Belmont-Hillsboro South
Walk score: 68/100 · Bike score: 64/100
Belmont Boulevard features dedicated on-street bike lanes connecting north toward Midtown and south toward Green Hills, with WeGo / Nashville BCycle rental stations situated near campus borders.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are among the lowest in the Nashville metropolitan area
- Affluent economic profile with high median household incomes and high rates of homeownership
- Extensive network of sidewalks, mature tree canopies, and well-lit collegiate corridors
Cons
- Opportunistic vehicle break-ins and package thefts occur occasionally along street-parked corridors
- Narrow residential streets can become congested during university events and school terms
- Limited late-night businesses within the immediate residential interior
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Belmont-Hillsboro South, with no encampments and minimal panhandling within the residential neighborhood.
What Belmont-Hillsboro South is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Vibrant and very safe, filled with university students, dog walkers, and joggers on the sidewalks.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and pleasant with residential traffic and patrons visiting Belmont Boulevard cafes.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Inviting and safe for dining out or taking a stroll before sunset.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and generally secure, though side streets can be sparsely lit away from the university.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit serves the area primarily via Route 17 along 12th Avenue South and Route 7 on Hillsboro Pike, providing direct 15-to-20-minute bus access into downtown Nashville.
Free on-street parking is widely available along residential streets, though some blocks closest to Belmont University have daytime permit restrictions or fill up quickly when classes are in session.
Things to do in Belmont-Hillsboro South
- Stroll along Belmont Boulevard to admire preserved historic architectural styles and community gardens
- Walk over to nearby Sevier Park and the bustling 12 South commercial corridor for boutique shopping
- Dine and relax at the intimate cafe strip located along Belmont Boulevard
Local favorites
- Bongo Java · Coffee Shop · 4.5★ (1650)Nashville's oldest coffeehouse serving organic brews, all-day cafe fare, and community vibes across from campus.
- Proper Bagel · Bagel Shop · 4.6★ (2100)Modern New York-style bagel destination known for artisan cream cheeses, smoked fish, and sleek aesthetics.
- International Market · Thai Restaurant · 4.6★ (850)A legendary family-run institution serving traditional Thai dishes and specialties in a bright space.
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.