Is Hazelwood safe?
Louisville, Kentucky · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Hazelwood as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Hazelwood
“Go with care. Hazelwood is a modest, working-class residential neighborhood in South Louisville that poses relatively low risk during daylight hours on its quiet residential streets. However, property crime rates and occasional violent incidents in the surrounding Taylor Blvd and South End corridors warrant staying alert and securing vehicles.”
Recent local reporting in the South Louisville corridor highlights ongoing LMPD efforts to address localized property thefts, vehicle break-ins, and occasional gun violence along nearby arterial roadways like Taylor Boulevard.
About the area
Located in Louisville's South End just south of Churchill Downs and west of Beechmont, Hazelwood is a primarily residential area featuring mid-century bungalows and ranch homes. It offers quick access to Iroquois Park and major thoroughfares but lacks a dedicated commercial district within its core boundaries.
- Working-Class
- Residential
- Suburban-Urban Mix
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Hazelwood
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 44/100
Dedicated bike lanes are scarce within Hazelwood itself, though Southern Parkway just to the east offers a multi-use path connecting northward to Central Louisville and southward to the Louisville Loop at Iroquois Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Primarily quiet, low-density residential streets away from major thoroughfares
- Close proximity to South Louisville amenities, Churchill Downs, and Iroquois Park
- High rates of vehicle access providing easy commuting connectivity across Metro Louisville
Cons
- Elevated poverty rates and lower median household incomes relative to Jefferson County averages
- Property crime, particularly vehicle break-ins and package theft, remains above national averages
- Limited pedestrian infrastructure and streetlighting on certain secondary residential blocks
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the strictly residential streets of Hazelwood, though occasional panhandling and unhoused individuals are visible along commercial segments of nearby Taylor Boulevard and Berry Boulevard.
What Hazelwood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm as residents commute; sidewalk activity is minimal and safety risks are very low.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Generally quiet on residential blocks, though arterial border streets see increased commercial and vehicle traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential feel, though caution is recommended around poorly lit intersections and commercial strips.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are largely deserted; walking alone late at night is not recommended due to reduced visibility and occasional opportunist property crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
Transit Authority of River City (TARC) provides bus service in the area, primarily via Route 4 (Fourth Street) and Route 6 (Sixth Street/Taylor Blvd), offering direct links to Downtown Louisville; there is no light rail or BRT system in Louisville.
Free on-street residential parking is widely available and easy to find on almost every block, and most homes feature private driveways; parking garages are not available or needed.
Things to do in Hazelwood
- Visit nearby Iroquois Park for hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and the Iroquois Amphitheater
- Explore the historic grounds of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum just north of the neighborhood
- Sample international cuisine and authentic Mexican taquerias along nearby Taylor Boulevard and South 3rd Street
Local favorites
- Vietnam Kitchen · Vietnamese Restaurant · 4.7★ (2100)A legendary nearby South Louisville staple serving traditional pho, noodle bowls, and vegetarian dishes.
- Sunergos Coffee · Coffee Shop · 4.8★ (650)Beloved local roaster nearby on South 5th Street serving expertly crafted espresso and baked goods.
- La Chandeleur · Bakery / Creperie · 4.6★ (320)A popular local spot offering sweet and savory authentic French crepes just east of the area.
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.