Is North Nashville East North safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates North Nashville East North as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on North Nashville East North
“Go with care. While the area features celebrated historic Black cultural heritage, HBCU proximity, and emerging dining spots along Buchanan Street, property and violent crime rates remain well above the national average. Visitors should remain alert, stick to well-trafficked commercial corridors during daylight or early evening, and avoid poorly lit side streets late at night.”
Local news coverage frequently reports intermittent gun violence, auto thefts, and ongoing community safety initiatives across the North Nashville corridor.
About the area
North Nashville East North is a historic, evolving urban neighborhood anchored by rich African American cultural history and close proximity to Fisk University and Meharry Medical College. Ongoing revitalization has brought modern cafes and art spaces alongside long-standing community institutions, though economic disparities and elevated crime persist block-by-block.
- Historic Community
- Emerging Arts Corridor
- Urban Transition
- Culturally Rich
Walking and biking in North Nashville East North
Walk score: 62/100 · Bike score: 55/100
The neighborhood connects to the Cumberland River Greenway via nearby MetroCenter, though dedicated on-street protected bike lanes are limited within the residential interior.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Rich historic and cultural landmarks near major HBCU campuses
- Growing culinary and creative corridor along the Buchanan Arts District
- Close proximity to downtown Nashville and Germantown amenities
- Improving commercial investment and historic preservation efforts
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates remain significantly above national benchmarks
- Elevated poverty rates exceeding 25% in several local census tracts
- Inconsistent street lighting and sidewalk infrastructure off main thoroughfares
- Noticeable block-to-block variation in residential upkeep and vacant lots
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present, mostly concentrated around major intersections, transit stops, and commercial nodes near Jefferson Street and Clarksville Pike.
What North Nashville East North is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and generally calm with residents commuting and students heading to local campuses, making daylight walks along main avenues relatively comfortable.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Bustling around commercial hubs and cafes with standard daytime foot traffic, requiring basic urban awareness.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Dining and lounge spots draw steady crowds, but foot travel should be kept to well-illuminated main corridors like Buchanan and Jefferson.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Activity subsides into quiet streets where the risk of street crime rises significantly; walking alone is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit serves the neighborhood via frequent bus service on Route 22 (Bordeaux) and Route 9 (MetroCenter/Fisk), providing direct 10-to-15-minute access to the downtown WeGo Central bus terminal.
Street parking is largely free and readily accessible on residential side streets and along Buchanan Street, with minimal metered parking or formal garage infrastructure.
Things to do in North Nashville East North
- Explore the art galleries and boutique storefronts along the Buchanan Arts District
- Visit the historic campus grounds and art galleries at nearby Fisk University
- Sample traditional Southern soul food and hot chicken at historic local eateries
Local favorites
- Slim & Husky's Pizza Beeria · Pizza Restaurant · 4.6★ (2350)Hip artisan pizza joint serving craft pies, cinnamon rolls, and local beer with 90s hip-hop vibes.
- Silver Sands Cafe · Soul Food Restaurant · 4.6★ (980)Longstanding neighborhood institution famed for authentic cafeteria-style soul food breakfast and lunch.
- Minerva Avenue · Lounge / Cocktail Bar · 4.3★ (420)Popular neighborhood lounge offering craft cocktails, music, and outdoor patio seating.
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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