Is Hillwood Heights safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Hillwood Heights as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Hillwood Heights
“Go. Hillwood Heights is a peaceful, affluent residential enclave in West Nashville with exceptionally low violent crime and quiet, tree-lined streets. While it offers no commercial nightlife within its residential borders, it is an exceptionally safe place to stay or visit.”
About the area
Hillwood Heights is an upscale, mid-century residential neighborhood in West Nashville known for spacious lots, mature trees, and rolling hills. It functions primarily as a quiet residential retreat, located just minutes away from commercial amenities on Charlotte Pike and the parks of Belle Meade.
- Quiet & Suburban
- Leafy & Tree-Lined
- Affluent
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Hillwood Heights
Walk score: 22/100 · Bike score: 26/100
Hillwood Heights lacks dedicated bike lanes and bike-share stations; cyclists share winding, hilly roads or drive a few minutes to access the Richland Creek Greenway.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than Nashville citywide averages
- High median household income and high rate of well-maintained owner-occupied homes
- Quiet, low-traffic residential streets ideal for peaceful surroundings
- Convenient driving access to dining and retail along Charlotte Pike
Cons
- Lacks sidewalks and comprehensive street lighting on most interior streets
- Extremely car-dependent with zero commercial activity inside the neighborhood core
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is essentially non-existent within the residential interior of Hillwood Heights, though occasional panhandling occurs along busy intersections on Charlotte Pike.
What Hillwood Heights is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very calm and safe with residents walking dogs and occasional joggers on the hills.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Pleasant and quiet with light neighborhood traffic and delivery vans.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Tranquil and secure, though visibility drops on roads without streetlights.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Exceptionally quiet and peaceful with virtually no pedestrian activity.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit operates Route 50 along the Charlotte Pike perimeter, but there is no direct bus service or transit infrastructure navigating the neighborhood's interior.
Parking is completely stress-free with ample private driveways and free, unrestricted curbside street parking throughout the neighborhood.
Things to do in Hillwood Heights
- Enjoy a morning walk or jog along the scenic, shaded residential lanes
- Visit the historic Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery located just south
- Take a short drive to explore the extensive hiking trails at Percy Warner Park
Local favorites
- Hugh-Baby's BBQ & Burger Shop · Fast Casual Restaurant · 4.6★ (1450)Nostalgic counter-service spot serving classic Memphis-style burgers, pulled pork, and milkshakes.
- TailGate Brewery Headquarters · Craft Brewery & Pizzeria · 4.6★ (2150)Sprawling craft taproom offering artisan pizzas, rotating beers, and outdoor patio space.
- Corner Pub West · Sports Bar & Grill · 4.5★ (780)Laid-back neighborhood tavern serving Southern-style pub grub and draft beers.
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.