Is Germantown safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Germantown as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Germantown
“Go. Germantown is one of Nashville's safest, most charming, and culinarily celebrated urban neighborhoods. While violent crime is infrequent within the neighborhood core, visitors should exercise basic precautions regarding opportunistic property theft and remain aware after dark near major perimeter corridors.”
Metro Police have periodically increased patrols around commercial corridors and residential parking decks to curb persistent motor vehicle break-ins.
About the area
Germantown is a historic, European-style district just north of downtown Nashville, characterized by restored 19th-century brick cottages, upscale apartments, and award-winning dining. The neighborhood attracts foodies, professionals, and baseball fans attending games at adjacent First Horizon Park.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Walkable Dining Hub
- Foodie Destination
- Boutique & Upscale
Walking and biking in Germantown
Walk score: 82/100 · Bike score: 72/100
Germantown features Nashville BCycle stations near 5th Avenue and First Horizon Park, offering seamless connection to the Cumberland River Greenway and Bicentennial Mall multi-use paths.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- High household income and strong economic investment support well-maintained infrastructure and high residential occupancy
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than the broader Nashville metropolitan average
- Active pedestrian presence and community visibility create a safe, welcoming atmosphere throughout the day and evening
- Direct, well-lit connections to Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and the Cumberland River Greenway
Cons
- Elevated frequency of opportunistic property crimes, particularly vehicle break-ins and theft from vehicles
- Perimeter areas along Jefferson Street and Rosa L. Parks Boulevard experience higher incident rates than the interior residential core
- Dimly lit historic side streets can feel isolated late at night after dining venues close
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is relatively limited within residential Germantown, though individuals and occasional panhandling are seen near bus stops along Rosa L. Parks Blvd, near Jefferson Street underpasses, and around the periphery of downtown parks.
What Germantown is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, runners, and residents grabbing morning coffee along quiet residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Bustling and safe with steady pedestrian traffic visiting boutique shops, cafes, and local parks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Vibrant and well-populated around the restaurant corridors, maintaining a secure and energetic environment.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quieter on interior residential streets; generally safe, though standard caution is advised along darker blocks and perimeter avenues.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit serves the neighborhood via Route 22 along Rosa L. Parks Blvd and Route 9 along 3rd Ave N, providing 5-to-10-minute bus rides into the downtown WeGo Central transit hub. The neighborhood is also within a 15-minute walk of the Music City Star commuter rail station at Riverfront.
Free and metered street parking is available but fills rapidly on weekends and game days; paid surface lots and garages around First Horizon Park and 3rd/4th Avenues typically charge between $10 and $25 depending on event schedules.
Things to do in Germantown
- Catch a Nashville Sounds minor league baseball game at First Horizon Park
- Sample award-winning culinary spots and pastry shops along 4th and 5th Avenues North
- Take an architectural walking tour among the neighborhood's preserved Victorian homes and historic brick sidewalks
Local favorites
- Rolf and Daughters · New American Restaurant · 4.6★ (1650)Acclaimed industrial-chic spot serving housemade pastas, small plates, and craft cocktails.
- Henrietta Red · Seafood Restaurant · 4.6★ (1320)Airy, stylish oyster bar and seasonal seafood venue led by a James Beard-nominated chef.
- Barista Parlor Germantown · Coffee Shop · 4.4★ (880)Hip, specialty coffeehouse crafting precision pour-overs, espresso drinks, and housemade biscuits.
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.