Is Jackson State University safe?

“Go with care. Visitors heading to the Jackson State University campus for athletic events, academic visits, or the Margaret Walker Center will find dedicated campus police and clear daylight activity within campus gates. However, the surrounding West Jackson neighborhoods experience elevated rates of violent and property crime, making it important to remain on campus grounds and avoid walking off-campus after dark.”

Jackson continues to address citywide violent crime and infrastructure strains, with JSU actively bolstering campus security checkpoints and perimeter lighting in recent semesters.

Jackson State University (JSU) is a historic public HBCU situated in West Jackson, featuring a blend of historic halls, modern academic complexes, and athletic facilities like the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center. While the campus core is maintained and regularly patrolled, the surrounding urban area faces significant economic distress and elevated crime rates.

• Historic HBCU
• Collegiate
• Urban Campus
• Car-Dependent

Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 45/100

There is no municipal bike-share system in Jackson, and dedicated bike lanes are sparse on arterial roads leading to campus.

Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present along commercial corridors like Highway 80 and Lynch Street, with occasional panhandling near gas stations and transit stops, though encampments are largely situated closer to downtown Jackson.

Morning · 5a – 11a

Active and generally orderly as students, faculty, and university staff commute onto campus grounds.

Afternoon · 11a – 5p

Brisk pedestrian traffic throughout campus plazas and dining facilities with noticeable campus safety presence.

Evening · 5p – 10p

Activity winds down quickly outside of scheduled sporting events or evening classes; sticking to illuminated paths is recommended.

Late night · 10p – 5a

Foot traffic is minimal and risk levels rise sharply, making off-campus walking strongly inadvisable.

JATRAN operates local bus routes, including Route 1 along Lynch Street and Route 9, connecting JSU directly to downtown Jackson. There is no local passenger rail or BRT system in Jackson.

Visitor parking is available on campus via designated visitor stalls and permitted university lots, though day passes or event fees often apply. Street parking along adjacent West Jackson streets is limited and discouraged due to vehicle break-in risks.

• Tour the Margaret Walker Center and Ayer Hall to explore African American literature, history, and archival collections
• Attend a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) basketball game at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center
• Visit the Gibbs-Green Memorial Plaza, commemorating the victims of the 1970 campus shooting

• Bully's Restaurant · Soul Food Restaurant · 4.5★ (1120)
  James Beard Award-winning iconic soul food spot serving ribs, chitterlings, and collard greens just north of campus.
• The Plaza Diner · Diner · 4.4★ (310)
  Down-home neighborhood eatery serving hearty Southern breakfasts, fried fish, and homestyle lunch plates.
• CS's Restaurant · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (460)
  Longstanding local joint near university medical and academic corridors known for classic burgers and casual fare.