Is Westwood South safe?
Memphis, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates Westwood South as “No-go after dark”.
Gogo's take on Westwood South
“Skip. Westwood South is a quiet, historically working-class residential area in Southwest Memphis that offers very few attractions for tourists and experiences elevated rates of both violent and property crime compared to national averages. Visitors have little reason to travel here unless visiting specific family or community contacts, and those who do should maintain strict situational awareness, particularly after dark.”
Southwest Memphis precincts continue to receive focused Memphis Police patrols targeting recurring gun violence, reckless driving, and property offenses along major arterial corridors.
About the area
Westwood South is a low-density, predominantly residential neighborhood located in the southwestern corner of Memphis near the Mississippi state line. It is characterized by mid-century single-family brick ranch homes, local community churches, and quiet suburban-style streets interspersed with vacant parcels. Commercial amenities are sparse and concentrated along surrounding corridors like South Third Street (US-61) and West Holmes Road.
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Suburban Grid
- Blighted Pockets
Walking and biking in Westwood South
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 34/100
There is no Explore Bike Share infrastructure in Westwood South, and dedicated bike lanes are absent, making cycling along high-speed corridors hazardous.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower traffic density and quieter residential street layout compared to central urban Memphis neighborhoods
- High rates of established long-term homeownership on select interior residential blocks
- Direct vehicle access to US-61 (South Third Street) for commuting into Downtown Memphis or northern Mississippi
Cons
- Elevated violent crime and property crime rates significantly exceeding state and national averages
- Poverty rate exceeding 25% with below-average median household income and limited local job growth
- Pockets of blighted, abandoned properties and vacant lots that attract illegal dumping
- Food desert conditions with minimal immediate access to fresh grocery stores or sit-down dining
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low within the interior residential streets of Westwood South, though occasional unhoused individuals and panhandling can be seen around major commercial intersections and gas stations along US-61 (South Third Street).
What Westwood South is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are generally quiet with commuters heading out and modest pedestrian activity around bus stops.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons remain mostly calm on residential streets, though caution is advised along main retail and arterial corridors.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity drops as dusk falls, and visitors should stick to private transportation rather than walking.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights carry a heightened risk of opportunistic crime and gunfire; walking or lingering outside is strongly discouraged.
Transit, parking and getting around
Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) operates limited bus service through and around the area via Route 39 (South Third) and Route 12 (Florida), but headways are long and there is no light rail or BRT connection.
Parking is very easy and free, with ample space in private driveways, residential street curbs, and small commercial strip lot parking with no meters.
Things to do in Westwood South
- Visit Westwood Community Center and Park to use the outdoor sports courts and playground facilities
- Take a short drive north to explore Graceland and the Elvis Presley entertainment complex in neighboring Whitehaven
- Explore the nature trails and birdwatching at the nearby T.O. Fuller State Park along the Mississippi River bluffs
Local favorites
- A & R Bar-B-Que · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.4★ (1650)Beloved South Memphis barbecue institution serving classic hickory-smoked ribs, pulled pork, and hot links.
- Uncle Lou's Fried Chicken · Southern Restaurant · 4.4★ (2300)Iconic nearby eatery famed for honey-dipped fried chicken and fresh biscuits featured on national food programs.
- Pollard's Bar-B-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.3★ (890)Family-run smokehouse known for slow-smoked brisket, rib tips, and traditional Southern comfort sides.
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.
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