Is Hickory Hill Northeast safe?
Memphis, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates Hickory Hill Northeast as “No-go after dark”.
Gogo's take on Hickory Hill Northeast
“Go with care: Hickory Hill Northeast is primarily an auto-oriented residential and retail district with elevated violent and property crime rates compared to national benchmarks. While daytime visits for specific local dining spots are manageable, tourists should remain alert, avoid walking after dark, and keep vehicle doors locked.”
Memphis Police routinely conduct targeted safety initiatives along the Winchester Road and Riverdale Road corridors to address vehicle thefts and commercial robberies.
About the area
Located in southeast Memphis, Hickory Hill Northeast consists of 1970s and 1980s single-family subdivisions mixed with large apartment complexes and commercial strip corridors. The area offers a diverse selection of international eateries but lacks conventional visitor attractions.
- Car-Dependent
- Suburban Strip
- Diverse Eateries
- Residential
Walking and biking in Hickory Hill Northeast
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 34/100
There is no local bike-share program and no dedicated multi-use trail connectivity, making cycling on wide, fast-moving arterials difficult.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Diverse culinary landscape featuring authentic Mexican, soul food, and international eateries.
- Convenient highway connectivity via Bill Morris Parkway (TN-385) and I-240.
- Abundant free surface parking across all shopping plazas and residential zones.
Cons
- Violent crime and auto theft rates are considerably higher than national averages.
- Higher-than-average vacancy in commercial strip centers and aging multifamily housing.
- Pockets of economic distress with poverty rates exceeding the Memphis metro median.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present in the form of occasional panhandling near high-traffic intersections on Winchester Road, though large tent encampments are uncommon.
What Hickory Hill Northeast is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are generally quiet with standard commuter traffic moving along Winchester Road and residential connectors.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons are busy around strip mall parking lots; basic awareness of vehicle security is advised.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings feel subdued in residential pockets, but commercial lots require caution due to car break-ins.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights experience an elevated risk of violent incidents and vehicle crime; walking outside is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) provides limited local bus service through routes like 36 and 42 along primary arterials, but frequency is low and there is no passenger rail access.
Free surface parking is readily available in strip mall lots and residential streets; drivers should always lock doors and conceal all belongings.
Things to do in Hickory Hill Northeast
- Sample regional soul food and hot wings along Winchester Road.
- Use the sports courts and community amenities at the nearby Hickory Hill Community Center.
- Explore international grocers and specialty markets in regional retail strip centers.
Local favorites
- Tops Bar-B-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.2★ (750)Long-running Memphis staple known for classic pulled pork sandwiches and ground-fresh burgers.
- D'bo's Wings & More · Chicken Wings Restaurant · 4.1★ (1200)Casual, popular eatery serving flavored buffalo wings, seafood baskets, and specialty fries.
- Taqueria Express #1 · Mexican Restaurant · 4.4★ (420)Authentic, fast-casual counter serving street tacos, burritos, and tortas.
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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