Is Donelson South safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Donelson South as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Donelson South
“Go. Donelson South is a quiet, predominantly residential suburban area in East Nashville that offers a safe and laid-back environment for travelers. While you will need a car to get around efficiently, violent crime rates are low and standard vigilance against vehicle theft is all that is typically required.”
About the area
Donelson South is an established suburban community situated just south of the main Donelson commercial core and adjacent to Nashville International Airport. It features peaceful mid-century residential subdivisions, greenway access, and commercial corridors along Donelson Pike and Elm Hill Pike.
- Suburban / Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Airport Adjacent
- Quiet
Walking and biking in Donelson South
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 34/100
There is no public bike-share system in Donelson South, but recreational cyclists can access the paved Stones River Greenway nearby for continuous off-street riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than the Nashville metro average.
- Strong homeownership and stable middle-income residential base.
- Quick and convenient access to Nashville International Airport (BNA) and Percy Priest Lake.
Cons
- Opportunistic vehicle break-ins and property crime occur near airport hotels and retail strips.
- High car dependency with minimal pedestrian infrastructure on major thoroughfares.
- Airport noise and heavy traffic during peak hours along Donelson Pike.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in the residential tracts, though occasional individuals or panhandlers can be observed near major highway intersections and airport-corridor retail centers.
What Donelson South is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with commuters heading out and residents walking dogs through residential subdivisions.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active and generally secure, though major arterials experience heavy vehicular traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm throughout the neighborhoods, with moderate social activity around local restaurants and lounges.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very quiet on residential side streets; safe overall, but deserted commercial strips require standard situational awareness.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit serves the area via Route 18 (Airport Express) and local connector routes, though service frequency is modest. The Donelson Station on the Music City Star commuter rail is located just to the north on Lebanon Pike.
Parking is exceptionally easy and universally free across shopping plazas, restaurants, and residential streets, with no metered zones or parking decks.
Things to do in Donelson South
- Enjoy outdoor recreation, boating, and scenic water views at nearby Percy Priest Lake and Elm Hill Marina.
- Walk or jog along sections of the Stones River Greenway connecting through nearby parklands.
- Sample local craft brews and dining along the Elm Hill Pike and Donelson Pike corridors.
Local favorites
- Darfons Restaurant & Lounge · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (1600)An upscale-casual neighborhood fixture serving steaks, seafood, and cocktails near the airport.
- Phat Bites · Eclectic Cafe · 4.5★ (1450)A quirky community favorite known for oversized sandwiches, craft beers, and live music.
- Homegrown Taproom & Kitchen · Gastropub · 4.6★ (850)A cozy gathering spot featuring local draft beers, scratch-made comfort food, and patio seating.
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.
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