Is Holston Hills safe?
Knoxville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Holston Hills as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Holston Hills
“Go. Holston Hills is a tranquil, historic East Knoxville enclave known for its expansive mid-century architecture and scenic riverfront vistas. While adjacent commercial thoroughfares require standard city awareness, the residential core is peaceful, tight-knit, and very safe for visitors.”
About the area
Established in the 1920s along the Holston River, Holston Hills is one of Knoxville's premier historic garden suburbs, celebrated for its sprawling lots and Donald Ross-designed golf course. The neighborhood is exclusively residential and park-focused, offering a calm respite just a short drive from downtown Knoxville.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Quiet / Residential
- Scenic Riverfront
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Holston Hills
Walk score: 14/100 · Bike score: 22/100
There are no dedicated on-street bike lanes in the neighborhood, but interior streets have low traffic, and Holston River Park connects to the Holston River Greenway.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates in the residential core are significantly below the Knoxville city average
- High homeownership rate and consistently well-maintained residential properties
- Immediate access to Holston River Park for boating, walking trails, and green space
- Low vehicular cut-through traffic creates a peaceful and relaxed environment
Cons
- Nearly completely car-dependent with no retail or dining directly inside the neighborhood core
- Isolated incidents of opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked car entry
- Bordering commercial arteries to the west and north have elevated crime profiles
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within the residential interior, though occasional unhoused individuals and panhandling can be observed along surrounding arterial roads like Asheville Highway.
What Holston Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Extremely peaceful with residents walking dogs and joggers navigating the rolling, tree-lined streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with light local traffic and outdoor activity centered around the park and golf course.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and relaxing as sunset approaches over the river, though sidewalks are limited on interior roads.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and deserted due to minimal street lighting, but safety risks remain low.
Transit, parking and getting around
Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) provides bus coverage along outer perimeter corridors via Route 31 (Magnolia) and Route 33 (MLK Jr. Ave), but interior neighborhood streets have no direct transit service.
Street parking is easy and unmetered throughout the residential roads, and Holston River Park provides ample free surface lot parking.
Things to do in Holston Hills
- Play a round of golf or attend an event at the historic Holston Hills Country Club
- Walk the paved trails, launch a kayak, or visit the dog park at Holston River Park
- Take an architectural driving tour admiring classic 1920s Tudor Revivals and mid-century modern ranches along Holston Drive
Local favorites
- Holston Hills Country Club · Country Club & Golf Course · 4.7★ (140)Historic private club featuring an acclaimed 1927 Donald Ross-designed championship golf course and clubhouse.
- Holston River Park · City Park · 4.6★ (750)Expansive municipal park along the river offering greenway access, boat ramps, soccer fields, and dog parks.
- Pizza Palace · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (1820)Storied drive-in restaurant located just west on Magnolia Avenue serving classic pizza, spaghetti, and onion rings since 1961.
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 Holston Hills? Copy this code to show its live safety score on your blog or listing.