Is Hickory Hill Southwest safe?
Memphis, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates Hickory Hill Southwest as “No-go after dark”.
Gogo's take on Hickory Hill Southwest
“Skip unless you have specific business or family in the area. Hickory Hill Southwest suffers from significantly elevated rates of violent crime, vehicle break-ins, and property theft compared to both national and state averages. Visitors who must travel here should maintain strict situational awareness and avoid walking alone, especially after dark.”
Memphis Police Department regularly increases targeted patrols along the Winchester Road and Hickory Hill corridors due to recurring incidents involving gun violence and auto theft.
About the area
Hickory Hill Southwest is a predominantly residential and auto-centric commercial district in Southeast Memphis, characterized by post-war subdivisions, multi-family apartment complexes, and strip retail centers. While it offers authentic local dining options and working-class community resilience, it faces ongoing challenges with disinvestment and public safety.
- Car-Dependent
- Suburban / Strip Malls
- Residential Pockets
Walking and biking in Hickory Hill Southwest
Walk score: 39/100 · Bike score: 36/100
There is no local bike-share infrastructure, and dedicated bike lanes or connections to the Shelby Farms Greenline are virtually absent in this car-dominated corridor.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Diverse selection of locally owned international dining options along main commercial avenues
- Affordable retail shopping centers and accessible strip malls
- Easy vehicular access to major arterial routes like Nonconnah Parkway (TN-385) and I-240
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates are notably higher than national medians
- Higher poverty rates and lower median household income levels relative to Shelby County averages
- Substantial risk of vehicle break-ins and theft in commercial parking lots
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present, with individuals sometimes seen panhandling near major intersections like Winchester and Mendenhall, though large encampments are uncommon.
What Hickory Hill Southwest is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Morning commute hours see steady traffic along commercial corridors, feeling relatively routine for drivers and essential errands.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Plazas and strip malls are active with shoppers, though visitors should lock cars and stay mindful of surroundings in open lots.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity thins quickly after retail closures; foot travel drops and heightened caution is recommended around gas stations and corner stores.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights carry a markedly elevated risk for violent crime and vehicular activity; walking or loitering outdoors is not advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) serves the area via local bus routes such as Route 26 (Hickory Hill) and Route 36 (Lamar Avenue); there is no rail or BRT service nearby.
Free surface parking is widely available in suburban retail strip centers and residential driveways, though anti-theft precautions should always be taken.
Things to do in Hickory Hill Southwest
- Explore authentic regional soul food and Caribbean dining along Winchester Road
- Visit local green spaces like nearby Walter Chandler Park for sports fields
- Shop at neighborhood multicultural food markets and independent discount retailers
Local favorites
- A&R Bar-B-Que · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.3★ (1100)Beloved local institution known for classic Memphis dry-rub ribs and smoked pulled pork sandwiches.
- Pollos Salteños · Latin American Restaurant · 4.4★ (320)Casual dining spot famous for Peruvian rotisserie chicken and traditional sides.
- Queen of Sheba · Yemeni Restaurant · 4.5★ (680)Popular eatery offering authentic Yemeni and Middle Eastern platters with freshly baked bread.
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 Southwest? Copy this code to show its live safety score on your blog or listing.