Is Fairgrounds safe?
Jackson, Mississippi · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates Fairgrounds as “No-go after dark”.
Gogo's take on Fairgrounds
“Go with care during major scheduled events, but avoid exploring the surrounding perimeter on foot. The area revolves around the Mississippi State Fairgrounds complex, which benefits from dedicated security and state police during expos and the state fair. Outside of ticketed events, high citywide crime levels and surrounding commercial disinvestment make lingering or walking at night inadvisable.”
Mississippi Capitol Police have expanded their jurisdiction and patrols over state-owned fairground properties in recent years to bolster security and mitigate vehicle break-ins during public events.
About the area
The Fairgrounds district is a civic and entertainment enclave located just east of Downtown Jackson, anchored by the Mississippi Coliseum and Mississippi Trade Mart. It consists predominantly of large event facilities, vast surface parking lots, and light industrial or institutional parcels. Outside of large seasonal events and agriculture expos, the area is largely quiet and lacks typical residential neighborhood amenities.
- Event-Centric
- Industrial / Institutional
- Car-Dependent
- Sparse
Walking and biking in Fairgrounds
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 31/100
There is no bike-share system in Jackson, and immediate thoroughfares such as High Street lack protected cycling infrastructure.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Heightened security and Capitol Police presence during major arena and expo events
- Abundant dedicated on-site event parking within gated venue perimeters
- Immediate, direct highway access via Interstate 55
Cons
- Elevated violent and property crime rates in the immediate central Jackson vicinity
- High poverty and commercial vacancy along neighboring peripheral corridors
- Eerily deserted and poorly lit outside of scheduled venue programming