Is Cumberland Gardens safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Cumberland Gardens as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Cumberland Gardens
“Go with care. Cumberland Gardens is an evolving North Nashville neighborhood with rich heritage and rapid development, but it experiences above-average rates of violent and property crime. Daytime visits to nearby parks and dining spots are generally manageable, but visitors should avoid wandering residential side streets after dark.”
Local reporting in North Nashville continues to focus on gun violence interruption efforts alongside community debates over rapid gentrification and residential redevelopment.
About the area
Cumberland Gardens is a historically Black residential enclave in North Nashville located just south of MetroCenter and the Cumberland River. It is characterized by a mix of mid-century single-family homes, historic properties, and contemporary infill construction. Visitors often pass through when accessing nearby greenways, golf facilities, or the adjacent Buchanan Arts District.
- Residential
- Rapidly Changing
- Historic
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Cumberland Gardens
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 52/100
The neighborhood connects closely to the Cumberland River Greenway for multi-use recreational riding, though dedicated on-street bike infrastructure within the residential grid remains sparse.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Convenient access to downtown Nashville, Germantown, and the Cumberland River Greenway.
- Proximity to historic community assets such as the Ted Rhodes Golf Course.
- Increasing municipal and private investment bringing updated housing and infrastructure improvements.
Cons
- Violent and property crime rates remain notably higher than national and Metro Nashville averages.
- Census data reflects elevated poverty rates and lower median household incomes relative to the broader metro area.
- Inconsistent street lighting and limited sidewalk connectivity along several residential interior streets.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately noticeable near commercial corridors along Clarksville Pike and under nearby highway overpasses, though encampments inside residential blocks are uncommon.
What Cumberland Gardens is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and relatively quiet as residents head to work, with decent visibility for morning walks or jogs.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Moderate activity along perimeter thoroughfares like Clarksville Pike, presenting typical daytime urban conditions.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity tapers off quickly, and dim street lighting in residential pockets warrants increased situational awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Safety decreases significantly late at night, and pedestrian travel is not recommended due to heightened crime risks.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit serves the perimeter via Route 22 (Bordeaux/Clarksville Pike) and Route 9 (MetroCenter), providing straightforward bus connections to the central hub at WeGo Central downtown. There is no commuter rail or light rail station in this area.
Residential street parking is readily available and universally free, with minimal demand pressure compared to central downtown or Germantown.
Things to do in Cumberland Gardens
- Play a round of golf at the historic Ted Rhodes Golf Course along the Cumberland River.
- Walk, run, or bike along the scenic Cumberland River Greenway near MetroCenter.
- Explore the neighboring Buchanan Arts District for local art, murals, and independent eateries.
Local favorites
- Slim & Husky's Pizza Beeria · Pizza Restaurant · 4.6★ (2600)Acclaimed counter-serve pizzeria serving craft pies, cinnamon rolls, and local beer with 90s hip-hop flair.
- Ted Rhodes Golf Course · Public Golf Course · 4.3★ (420)Historic 18-hole municipal course along the river named in honor of African American golf trailblazer Ted Rhodes.
- EG&MC Cocktail Bar · Cocktail Bar & Tapas · 4.7★ (380)Sophisticated neighborhood lounge offering handcrafted drinks, small plates, and warm community vibes.
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.