Is Lizelia safe?
Marion, Mississippi · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Lizelia as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Lizelia
“Go. Lizelia is a quiet, semi-rural community on the outskirts of Meridian that experiences very little crime compared to the city center. Visitors will find a tranquil, forested setting, though a private vehicle is essential for getting around.”
About the area
Lizelia is a peaceful, sparsely populated community located northeast of Meridian in Lauderdale County. Dominated by open acreage, single-family homes on large parcels, and pine woodlands, it offers a distinctly quiet countryside atmosphere. It serves primarily as a rural bedroom community for personnel working in Meridian or at the nearby Naval Air Station.
- Rural / Wooded
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Sprawling
Walking and biking in Lizelia
Walk score: 6/100 · Bike score: 18/100
There is no bike infrastructure or bike-share program; cycling is limited to two-lane rural roads that lack dedicated lanes or paved shoulders.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates than central Meridian neighborhoods
- High rate of homeownership and a stable, low-density residential environment
- Peaceful natural surroundings with minimal traffic congestion and noise
Cons
- Total car dependency with no public transit, sidewalks, or dedicated pedestrian infrastructure
- Isolated rural setting with longer emergency service response times compared to the urban core
- Virtually no commercial amenities within the community, requiring a drive to Marion or Meridian for basic services
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Lizelia, as unhoused populations and social services are concentrated in downtown Meridian.
What Lizelia is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and peaceful with light commuter traffic filtering onto main county connector roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and quiet, though walking on roads without paved shoulders requires caution around passing vehicles.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Very dark and tranquil with virtually no foot traffic and minimal safety concerns beyond rural visibility.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and safe from street crime, though pitch-black rural roads make outdoor walking inadvisable.
Transit, parking and getting around
There is no public transportation service in Lizelia; Meridian Transit System operates only within Meridian city limits and does not extend to this unincorporated area.
Parking is abundant and free throughout the area, consisting of private driveways, open residential lots, and business surface lots with no metered restrictions.
Things to do in Lizelia
- Take a scenic rural drive through the rolling pine forests and open pastures along Lizelia Road
- Visit nearby Dalewood Lake for freshwater fishing, boating, and scenic water views
- Enjoy birdwatching and quiet countryside nature walks along rural county lanes
Local favorites
- Jean's Restaurant · Southern Restaurant · 4.5★ (385)Longtime country eatery in nearby Marion serving hearty homestyle Southern breakfasts and meat-and-three lunches.
- Piggly Wiggly Marion · Supermarket · 4.3★ (330)Full-service grocery store providing fresh produce, meats, and pantry essentials to the surrounding rural area.
- The Rustler · Steakhouse · 4.4★ (415)Upscale Meridian institution known for prime steaks, seafood, and an extensive wine list in a rustic setting.
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.