Is Hickory Hill Outer Southeast safe?
Memphis, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates Hickory Hill Outer Southeast as “No-go after dark”.
Gogo's take on Hickory Hill Outer Southeast
“Go with care. Hickory Hill has diverse international dining and commercial centers, but persistently elevated rates of violent and property crime require caution. Stick to daylight hours for errands and dining, and exercise heightened awareness in parking areas.”
Memphis Police Department regularly focuses tactical patrols along the Winchester Road and Hickory Hill corridors to combat property crime, auto theft, and localized gun violence.
About the area
Hickory Hill is an expansive, car-centric suburban district in outer southeast Memphis filled with strip malls, residential subdivisions, and apartment complexes. While rich in culinary diversity and local businesses, it faces economic headwinds and safety concerns common to outer-ring urban corridors.
- Suburban Sprawl
- Car-Dependent
- Diverse Dining
- Commercial Strips
Walking and biking in Hickory Hill Outer Southeast
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There is no bike-share program operating in Hickory Hill, and the area lacks connected bike lanes or multi-use greenways, making cycling unsafe on high-traffic roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Wide array of authentic international restaurants and Southern barbecue joints
- Abundant and completely free surface parking across all major shopping plazas
- Convenient vehicle access to Bill Morris Parkway (TN-385) and I-240
Cons
- Violent and property crime rates remain significantly above national benchmarks
- Elevated housing vacancy rates and aging rental apartment complexes
- Hostile pedestrian environment along wide, high-speed arterial roads
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately noticeable along major commercial corridors like Winchester Road and near vacant retail lots, though large formal encampments are uncommon.
What Hickory Hill Outer Southeast is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Commercial strips are relatively calm with typical commuter flow, presenting manageable daytime risk.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy retail centers see steady vehicle traffic, where standard situational awareness is advised.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity thins out and visibility drops in large parking plazas; avoid poorly lit areas.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Risk of violent and property crime increases markedly; walking around after dark is strongly discouraged.
Transit, parking and getting around
Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) serves the area primarily via bus routes like Route 42 (Crosstown) and Route 56 (Union); Memphis does not have passenger rail or BRT lines extending to Outer Southeast.
Parking is abundant and free in private surface lots fronting strip malls and plazas; street parking is generally unrestricted on residential side roads.
Things to do in Hickory Hill Outer Southeast
- Enjoy authentic Memphis-style barbecue along the Hickory Hill dining corridor
- Browse regional goods and discount shopping at the Hickory Ridge Mall area
- Explore diverse multicultural grocery stores and specialty food markets
Local favorites
- A&R Bar-B-Que · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.2★ (750)Beloved local institution serving slow-smoked pork, hot links, and traditional Southern comfort sides.
- D'bo's Wings N More · Chicken Wings Restaurant · 4.0★ (1150)Longtime Memphis staple famous for seasoned chicken wings, burgers, and seafood platters.
- Dim Sum King · Chinese Restaurant · 4.4★ (460)Popular dining spot offering traditional Cantonese dim sum, noodle soups, and roasted meats.
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.
Add this score to your site
Writing about Hickory Hill Outer Southeast? Copy this code to show its live safety score on your blog or listing.