Is Highland Heights safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Highland Heights as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Highland Heights
“Go with care. Highland Heights offers inviting residential streets and easy access to East Nashville's renowned food and arts culture, but violent and property crime rates remain higher than national averages. Exercise normal urban precautions, secure vehicles, and avoid poorly lit corridors after dark.”
Targeted Metro Nashville Police Department patrols frequently address property crime, vehicle break-ins, and isolated drug activity along the adjacent Dickerson Pike corridor.
About the area
Highland Heights is a rapidly evolving, transitional neighborhood in Northeast Nashville characterized by a mix of historic bungalows and modern residential infill. Located just north of Cleveland Park and east of Dickerson Pike, it provides a quieter residential experience while remaining minutes away from downtown and East Nashville hotspots.
- Transitional Urban
- Residential Infill
- Emerging Dining
- Historic Cottages
Walking and biking in Highland Heights
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 48/100
Dedicated bike lanes are sparse on interior residential streets, but quiet neighborhood routes offer connections toward the Shelby Bottoms Greenway system a few miles to the southeast.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Substantial residential redevelopment and rising home values reflecting strong private investment.
- Convenient access to prominent East Nashville dining, bars, and creative retail hubs.
- Proximity to major arterial corridors and downtown Nashville for efficient commuting.
Cons
- Property crime and vehicle burglary rates remain well above suburban metro baselines.
- Inconsistent sidewalk infrastructure and patchy street lighting on interior residential blocks.
- Occasional spillover illicit activity from the commercial fringes along Dickerson Pike.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness and individuals experiencing housing instability are noticeable along the commercial Dickerson Pike boundary, but encampments are largely absent within the interior residential blocks.
What Highland Heights is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and peaceful as residents walk dogs and commute, with very little safety concern.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and residential with delivery and construction traffic, generally safe for walking.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pleasantly active around local restaurants, though diminished street lighting calls for situational awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Activity slows significantly and caution is advised due to higher risks of car break-ins and isolated street crimes.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit serves the neighborhood mainly via Route 23 along Dickerson Pike and Route 14 nearby, providing direct bus connections to the central WeGo Central station downtown in roughly 20 minutes.
Street parking is widely available and free on most residential roads, while neighborhood businesses typically provide small surface lots or ample curbside spots.
Things to do in Highland Heights
- Sample creative local dining and craft cocktails at neighborhood eateries near Meridian Street.
- Take a short trip down to Cleveland Park to enjoy community athletic fields and green spaces.
- Explore independent boutiques, vintage shops, and coffee roasters throughout greater East Nashville.
Local favorites
- Retrograde Coffee · Coffee Shop · 4.7★ (530)A cozy neighborhood spot serving specialty espresso drinks, baked goods, and breakfast fare.
- Red Headed Stranger · Southwestern Restaurant · 4.7★ (1250)A popular neighborhood taco and brisket eatery celebrated for fresh flour tortillas and green chile cheeseburgers.
- Flora + Fauna · Cafe & Roastery · 4.7★ (380)A bright cafe serving thoughtfully prepared breakfast dishes, pastries, and house-roasted coffee.
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.