Is East Memphis safe?
Memphis, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates East Memphis as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on East Memphis
“Go. East Memphis is one of the most affluent and historically secure districts in the city, offering high-end dining, shopping, and quiet residential streets. While property crime like auto break-ins can occur in busy retail parking lots, violent crime rates are far below the Memphis municipal average.”
Citywide initiatives have recently focused on stepped-up police patrols along the Poplar Avenue retail corridor to deter opportunistic auto thefts and shoplifting.
About the area
East Memphis is an expansive, tree-lined suburban district serving as the city's commercial and upscale residential anchor. Visitors will find manicured neighborhoods, major shopping plazas along Poplar Avenue, and premier cultural institutions like the Memphis Botanic Garden and Dixon Gallery.
- Affluent Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in East Memphis
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 46/100
The district provides direct access to the Shelby Farms Greenline trail, an exceptional paved route running from Midtown out to Shelby Farms Park, though Poplar Avenue itself lacks dedicated bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to broader Shelby County averages
- High median household incomes and stable homeownership in neighborhoods like River Oaks and High Point Terrace
- Well-maintained suburban infrastructure with excellent access to top-tier medical and commercial centers
Cons
- Opportunistic property crime and vehicle break-ins occur in commercial shopping center parking lots
- Heavily car-dependent layout requiring driving for almost all daily errands
- Heavy traffic congestion and aggressive driving along the main Poplar Avenue corridor
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is relatively low across residential areas, though occasional panhandling occurs at busy intersections and major commercial intersections along Poplar Avenue and Perkins Road.
What East Memphis is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and busy with morning joggers in neighborhoods and commuters along Poplar Avenue; extremely safe.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Bustling with commercial traffic around retail centers and office hubs with general security consistently strong.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Vibrant dining scene in shopping centers and quiet residential streets; generally safe with standard parking lot awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and low-activity except around 24-hour spots like Gibson's Donuts; basic situational awareness is recommended against late-night vehicle break-ins.
Transit, parking and getting around
Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) operates bus lines such as Route 50 along Poplar Avenue, but service frequency is limited and the metro lacks passenger rail in this district.
Ample free surface lot parking is available throughout nearly all retail plazas, restaurants, and attractions; street parking is free and readily accessible in residential zones.
Things to do in East Memphis
- Stroll through 96 acres of specialty gardens and the Live at the Garden venue at Memphis Botanic Garden
- Explore fine art collections and 17 acres of formal gardens at The Dixon Gallery and Gardens
- Walk, jog, or cycle along the shaded multi-use Shelby Farms Greenline path
Local favorites
- Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen · Italian Fine Dining · 4.7★ (750)Acclaimed upscale restaurant serving innovative Italian dishes with Southern-inspired twists.
- Gibson's Donuts · Bakery · 4.8★ (5100)Iconic 24-hour donut shop beloved for its fresh maple bacon donuts and classic glazed varieties.
- Novel Memphis · Independent Bookstore · 4.8★ (1100)Community-owned bookstore featuring a curated book selection, events, and an in-house bistro.
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.