Is Laurel Grove safe?
Savannah, Georgia · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Laurel Grove as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Laurel Grove
“Go with care. Laurel Grove is primarily visited for its expansive, historic twin cemeteries, Laurel Grove North and South, which are significant to Savannah's history. While safe to explore during daylight hours, surrounding residential and industrial pockets face elevated property crime and occasional violent incidents, so visitors should remain alert and avoid the area after dark.”
Savannah Police maintain regular patrols around the West Gwinnett and MLK Jr. Boulevard corridors following regional community initiatives aimed at curbing gun violence and vehicle break-ins.
About the area
Laurel Grove is an inner-city Savannah neighborhood defined by its famous 19th-century municipal cemeteries, divided by Highway 37 into North (traditionally white) and South (historically Black) grounds. It features tranquil, moss-draped historic pathways surrounded by a mix of modest residential streets, light industrial lots, and major transit corridors.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Quiet Daytime
- Car-Dependent Perimeter
Walking and biking in Laurel Grove
Walk score: 55/100 · Bike score: 68/100
While Savannah lacks dedicated bike paths directly into the cemetery, the flat terrain and nearby Lincoln and Price Street bike corridors make cycling accessible.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Rich African American and Southern historical heritage within Laurel Grove South and North
- Close proximity to downtown Savannah and the Victorian District
- Tranquil daytime environment within the gated cemetery grounds
Cons
- Higher poverty rate and lower median household income compared to the Chatham County average
- Above-average rates of property crime and theft from parked vehicles
- Industrial perimeter and lack of active commercial foot traffic at night
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present along the major approach corridors of MLK Jr. Boulevard and under highway overpasses, but encampments are generally kept outside the cemetery gates.
What Laurel Grove is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm, with groundskeepers and historical visitors walking the cemetery roads safely.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active with daytime tourists and local traffic; general situational awareness is sufficient.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity drops sharply as gates close at dusk, leaving surrounding streets quiet and dimly lit.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Not recommended for foot travel due to isolated stretches, higher crime vulnerability, and lack of open businesses.
Transit, parking and getting around
Chatham Area Transit (CAT) serves the area primarily along West Gwinnett Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard via Routes 17 and 25, connecting directly to the Downtown Intermodal Transit Center.
Free on-site parking is readily available along the designated interior driving paths of both Laurel Grove cemeteries, and free street parking is common on neighboring side streets.
Things to do in Laurel Grove
- Tour the historic burial sites of prominent civil rights pioneers and cultural figures at Laurel Grove South Cemetery
- Admire Victorian-era funerary art and moss-draped live oaks across Laurel Grove North
- Take a self-guided architectural and historical walking tour highlighting 19th-century Savannah history
Local favorites
- Sly's Sliders and Fries · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (1150)Popular nearby spot serving creative mini-burgers, hot dogs, and loaded french fries.
- Unforgettable Bakery & Cafe · Bakery / Cafe · 4.7★ (140)Cozy local bakery offering freshly baked goods, light lunches, and custom cakes.
- Super Bloom · Coffee Shop & Boutique · 4.8★ (320)Vibrant nearby community cafe featuring espresso, craft drinks, and locally made artisan gifts.
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.