Is Millington safe?
Memphis, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Millington as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Millington
“Go. Millington offers a distinctly calmer, suburban-to-rural environment compared to the core of Memphis, anchored largely by Naval Support Activity Mid-South. While property crime exists along commercial corridors on Highway 51, standard situational awareness makes it a safe visit for outdoor recreation and local dining.”
About the area
Located roughly 15 miles north of downtown Memphis in northern Shelby County, Millington is a proud military and working-class suburban community. It is known as home to the U.S. Navy's human resources command center as well as gateway access to Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park.
- Military Town
- Suburban / Rural Fringe
- Car-Dependent
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Millington
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 32/100
There are no bike-share stations; cycling is primarily recreational within Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park rather than for transit along busy arterial highways.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to urban Memphis
- Strong community stability driven by Naval Support Activity Mid-South and high veteran presence
- Direct proximity to expansive outdoor recreation and natural parks
Cons
- Commercial strip along US-51 experiences sporadic retail property theft and vehicle break-ins
- Moderate poverty rate hovering near 15% in older residential sectors
- Strict car dependency with virtually non-existent urban pedestrian infrastructure
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal across Millington, with only occasional individuals observed near major highway intersections or discount retail centers along Highway 51.
What Millington is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and busy with military personnel and commuters heading along Highway 51 and Navy Road.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and calm with routine suburban shopping traffic in strip centers and grocery plazas.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet across residential neighborhoods, with relaxed dining traffic along commercial thoroughfares.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally peaceful but very dark in rural-edge pockets; sticking to well-lit roads is advisable.
Transit, parking and getting around
Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) offers extremely limited to no regular fixed-route bus service directly into Millington, meaning visitors require private vehicle transportation.
Parking is abundant, straightforward, and entirely free in massive private retail lots and residential driveways throughout town.
Things to do in Millington
- Explore hiking and disc golf trails at nearby Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
- Attend drag races and motorsports events at the Memphis International Raceway grounds
- Play a round of golf at the scenic Glen Eagle Golf Course on the naval base
Local favorites
- Old Millington Winery · Winery · 4.6★ (180)A cozy, family-owned country winery offering tastings and weekend live outdoor music.
- Milano's Pizza Millington · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (460)Longstanding local staple serving hearty New York-style pies, calzones, and pasta.
- Olympic Steak & Pizza · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (850)Casual, family-friendly diner known for steak platters, gyros, and generous portions.
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.
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