Is Donelson Hills safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Donelson Hills as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Donelson Hills
“Go. Donelson Hills is a peaceful, established mid-century neighborhood that is very safe for visitors seeking a quiet residential base. Violent crime is uncommon here, though standard suburban property precautions apply.”
About the area
Donelson Hills is a leafy, residential enclave in east Davidson County characterized by rolling terrain, mature trees, and well-maintained mid-century ranch homes. It sits conveniently between Nashville International Airport, Opryland, and the Stones River, providing a quiet neighborhood retreat close to regional attractions.
- Quiet / Residential
- Suburban / Tree-Lined
- Mid-Century Vibes
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Donelson Hills
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 32/100
There are no bike-share docking stations or marked bike lanes in the neighborhood, but cyclists can quickly connect to the paved Stones River Greenway for protected riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to the Nashville metro average
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes contributing to neighborhood stability
- Close proximity to the paved Stones River Greenway and riverfront parks
- Convenient 15-minute drive to downtown Nashville and five minutes to BNA Airport
Cons
- Interior residential streets largely lack continuous sidewalks and streetlights
- Heavy reliance on a vehicle for dining, groceries, and daily errands
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle prowls and porch package thefts
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in the residential interior, though occasional individuals or panhandling can be observed along major commercial strips like Lebanon Pike.
What Donelson Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant with residents walking dogs and low vehicular traffic throughout the residential lanes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet with minimal activity beyond delivery drivers and returning commuters.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and residential; safe for walking, though narrow roads without sidewalks require attention to passing cars.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and tranquil with virtually no foot traffic; standard safety precautions against car break-ins apply.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit operates Route 6 along the Lebanon Pike corridor, and the WeGo Star commuter rail stops at Donelson Station roughly 1.5 miles away.
Free, unrestricted street parking is widely available along residential streets, and commercial destinations along Lebanon Pike offer abundant free surface parking.
Things to do in Donelson Hills
- Walk, run, or cycle along the scenic Stones River Greenway trailhead nearby
- Browse local artisan goods and produce at the seasonal Hip Donelson Farmers Market
- Enjoy craft beer and live acoustic music at nearby community taprooms
Local favorites
- Nectar: Urban Cantina · Mexican Restaurant · 4.6★ (1850)Vibrant cantina offering inventive tacos, craft margaritas, and a spacious outdoor patio garden.
- Homegrown Taproom & Kitchen · Gastropub · 4.6★ (720)Relaxed neighborhood tavern featuring rotating local draft beers and scratch-made Southern comfort food.
- Sunflower Bakehouse · Bakery & Cafe · 4.7★ (860)Dedicated vegan and gluten-free bakery serving hearty breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and specialty coffee.
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.