Is Lake Hico safe?
Jackson, Mississippi · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates Lake Hico as “No-go after dark”.
Gogo's take on Lake Hico
“Skip. Lake Hico and its surrounding northwest Jackson neighborhoods experience high rates of property and violent crime alongside notable economic and infrastructure disinvestment. While quiet during the daytime, there are virtually no tourist amenities, and non-essential visits or walking after dark are not recommended.”
Local community leaders and city officials have held periodic discussions regarding plans to eventually open Lake Hico for public recreation and eco-tourism, though progress remains stalled by municipal funding hurdles.
About the area
Lake Hico is a semi-suburban, mostly residential neighborhood in northwest Jackson surrounding a decommissioned power utility cooling reservoir. It consists primarily of mid-century single-family homes, open green expanses, and scattered local businesses along perimeter corridors.
- Car-Dependent
- Residential
- Quiet
- Disinvested
Walking and biking in Lake Hico
Walk score: 18/100 · Bike score: 26/100
There are no designated bike lanes, bike-share stations, or off-road multi-use trail connections in the immediate neighborhood.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower traffic density and quieter streets compared to central Jackson thoroughfares
- Close proximity to primary transit arteries like Interstate 220 and Watkins Drive
- Pockets of long-standing residential pride and single-family homeownership
Cons
- Violent and property crime rates in northwest Jackson track well above national averages
- High neighborhood poverty rate accompanied by property vacancy and abandoned structures
- Minimal pedestrian infrastructure, poorly lit secondary roads, and lack of visitor amenities
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in the quiet residential blocks around the reservoir, with unhoused populations and emergency shelters concentrated further south toward downtown Jackson.
What Lake Hico is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are generally calm with light neighborhood traffic as commuters head toward Watkins Drive and I-220.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons are relatively quiet, though pedestrian foot traffic is scarce and street activity is minimal.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings feel isolated, and increased vigilance is recommended around convenience stores and transit stops.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights are unsafe for walking due to sparse lighting, high regional crime rates, and isolated roadways.
Transit, parking and getting around
JTRAN operates bus lines connecting northwest Jackson to the main Union Station transit center downtown, but routes run on limited schedules and headways are infrequent.
Parking is exceptionally easy, with ample free curbside space on residential streets and unrestricted surface lots at local businesses.
Things to do in Lake Hico
- View the scenic lake perimeter and birdlife from accessible public road margins
- Visit the nearby Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument located just south of the area
- Sample traditional Mississippi soul food along the nearby Livingston Road corridor
Local favorites
- Bully's Restaurant · Soul Food Restaurant · 4.6★ (1420)James Beard Award-winning institution serving hearty plates of smoked ribs, fried catfish, and slow-cooked greens.
- Big Apple Inn · Historic Sandwich Shop · 4.5★ (1150)Historic counter famous for its signature smoked sausage sliders and civil rights era heritage.
- Ward's Restaurant · Fast Food · 4.2★ (410)Regional drive-in favorite known for classic chili burgers and homemade root beer served in frosted mugs.
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.