Is Nellieburg safe?
Meridian, Mississippi · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Nellieburg as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Nellieburg
“Go. Nellieburg is a quiet, low-density rural-suburban community northwest of Meridian with low rates of violent crime compared to the urban core. Visitors will find a tranquil, spread-out setting with minimal safety risks beyond standard precautions for country roads.”
About the area
Nellieburg is an unincorporated semi-rural community in Lauderdale County just outside Meridian's municipal boundaries. It is characterized by single-family homes on large wooded lots, small local businesses along the highway corridors, and quick access to outdoor recreation at Okatibbee Lake. The atmosphere is peaceful, slow-paced, and largely residential.
- Rural / Wooded
- Quiet & Peaceful
- Car-Dependent
- Sprawling Residential
Walking and biking in Nellieburg
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 22/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes, trails, or bike-share programs in the area, and biking is generally restricted to riding along the shoulders of rural two-lane highways.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates than central Meridian neighborhoods
- High homeownership rate with stable, multi-generational residential properties
- Peaceful rural setting with low vehicle traffic and minimal ambient noise
Cons
- Complete lack of sidewalks and streetlights on narrow county roads
- Reliance on Lauderdale County Sheriff patrols with longer emergency response times
- High car dependency requiring driving for all daily amenities and services
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Nellieburg, as services, shelters, and encampments are concentrated miles south within Meridian's urban center.
What Nellieburg is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe with light commuter traffic heading south toward Meridian.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with residents tending yards and open rural roads.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Very dark due to sparse lighting, but overall secure and peaceful.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-black country roads with minimal activity; driving requires caution due to deer and wildlife.
Transit, parking and getting around
There is no fixed-route public transit in Nellieburg; Meridian Transit System operates exclusively within Meridian city limits, and the nearest Amtrak rail station is located roughly 7 miles south in downtown Meridian.
Parking is completely free and abundant on private driveways, gravel lots, and business parking areas throughout the community.
Things to do in Nellieburg
- Head slightly northwest to Okatibbee Water Park for boating, fishing, and camping
- Take a scenic country drive along MS-493 through rolling pine forests
- Visit local family-run farm stands and produce markets along the highway corridors during harvest season
Local favorites
- Jean's Restaurant · Southern Restaurant · 4.5★ (380)A popular nearby country diner known for classic Southern meat-and-three lunches, fried chicken, and homemade pies.
- The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.4★ (510)A rustic local favorite off MS-39 serving slow-smoked pulled pork, ribs, and savory Southern sides.
- Mid-State Farmers Cooperative · Farm & Garden Store · 4.7★ (95)A longstanding rural supply store offering feed, hardware, gardening supplies, and friendly local service.
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.