Is Lebanon safe?
Lebanon, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Lebanon as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Lebanon
“Go. Lebanon is a generally safe, rapidly growing outer suburb and historic county seat east of Nashville. Visitors can comfortably explore the historic downtown square, state parks, and shopping hubs with standard, everyday awareness.”
Recent local reports emphasize rapid residential and industrial growth management alongside standard traffic infrastructure upgrades along the Highway 231 and I-40 corridors.
About the area
Lebanon is the historic heart of Wilson County, blending small-town Southern heritage around its classic public square with modern residential expansion. It offers easy access to Cedars of Lebanon State Park, local antique shops, and casual dining, serving as a tranquil exurban community.
- Historic / Small-Town
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Exurban
Walking and biking in Lebanon
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There is no public bike-share system, and dedicated on-street bike lanes are sparse, though recreational cycling is common on park paths and paved trails within Cedars of Lebanon State Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are generally low and heavily contained compared to core Nashville
- Thriving local economy with strong employment growth across logistics, healthcare, and retail sectors
- Active, well-lit, and well-maintained historic town square with regular community events
Cons
- Pockets of elevated property crime and vehicle break-ins along commercial highway strips near I-40
- Car dependency requires personal vehicle access for nearly all practical daily travel
- Moderate poverty pockets in older central residential neighborhoods off the main thoroughfares
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is relatively low across Lebanon, with occasional unhoused individuals or panhandlers near interstate exits and along major commercial strips like South Cumberland Street.
What Lebanon is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and busy with commuters and local shoppers grab-and-go around the historic square and retail corridors.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and active with steady suburban traffic, families, and park visitors enjoying local amenities.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and family-oriented, with patrons dining comfortably around the downtown square and main shopping centers.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and largely empty; streets are safe, though dimly lit rural routes and commercial parking lots require routine vigilance.
Transit, parking and getting around
Lebanon is the eastern terminus of the WeGo Public Transit Music City Star commuter rail line, which connects Lebanon Station directly to downtown Nashville during peak weekday commute hours. Local fixed-route bus service is minimal, making travel mostly car-dependent.
Parking is abundant and largely free throughout the city, with unrestricted street spaces and municipal surface lots easily available around the historic square.
Things to do in Lebanon
- Explore the cedar glades, caves, and hiking trails at Cedars of Lebanon State Park
- Browse antique stores, boutiques, and historic architecture around the Lebanon Public Square
- Visit Fiddlers Grove Historic Village located on the Wilson County Fairgrounds
Local favorites
- Town Square Social · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (850)A popular brick-walled hangout on the square serving artisan pizzas, craft burgers, and regional beers.
- Snow White Drive-In · Diner · 4.5★ (1150)A nostalgic 1950s-style drive-in diner famous for barbecue plates, milkshakes, and classic burgers.
- The Roxy Theater · Movie Theater & Event Space · 4.7★ (340)A restored historic theater venue showing films and hosting live music performances.
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 Lebanon? Copy this code to show its live safety score on your blog or listing.