Is North Memphis North safe?
Memphis, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates North Memphis North as “No-go after dark”.
Gogo's take on North Memphis North
“Skip unless you have a specific local purpose or community connection. North Memphis North experiences elevated rates of both violent and property crime alongside persistent economic disinvestment. Casual tourism is not recommended, and visitors should exercise heightened situational awareness at all times.”
Memphis Police Department operations frequently target high-priority violent crime and gun violence hotspots throughout the North Memphis corridors.
About the area
North Memphis North is an established, predominantly residential and light-industrial district situated north of downtown Memphis. The neighborhood is characterized by modest single-family bungalows, industrial corridors, and historic roots, but it struggles with widespread structural blight and high vacancy. It lacks standard tourist amenities and experiences significant socioeconomic distress.
- Industrial Edge
- Residential Blight
- Historic
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in North Memphis North
Walk score: 44/100 · Bike score: 38/100
Dedicated bike infrastructure is virtually non-existent, and there is no Explore Bike Share station network in this part of North Memphis.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Rich local cultural history tied to Memphis blues and industrial heritage
- Close proximity to downtown Memphis and the Wolf River corridor
- Active grassroots community organizations working on neighborhood revitalization
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates significantly exceed national and state averages
- High residential vacancy rate with visible blighted properties and abandoned structures
- Poverty rate exceeds 40%, with limited commercial services and retail infrastructure
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present, primarily concentrated near major road intersections, abandoned properties, and transit stops along industrial arteries.
What North Memphis North is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Relatively calm as workers commute, though street-level foot traffic is sparse and isolated.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Activity increases around thoroughfares and industrial depots, but heightened awareness is still warranted.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down quickly and visibility drops; walking alone is not recommended.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- High risk of crime and unauthorized activity; visitors should avoid walking or lingering after dark.
Transit, parking and getting around
Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) serves the area via local bus routes including Route 40 and Route 11 along primary corridors like Thomas Street and Chelsea Avenue. There is no direct rail or BRT service in the immediate neighborhood.
Free on-street parking and surface lots are widely available, but leaving valuables in vehicles is strongly discouraged due to property theft risks.
Things to do in North Memphis North
- Visit nearby historic cemeteries and heritage sites along the northern fringes of Memphis
- Sample traditional Memphis-style soul food and barbecue at longstanding local institutions
- Explore community-led urban agriculture and neighborhood art initiatives
Local favorites
- Cozy Corner Restaurant · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.6★ (2300)Historic, award-winning smokehouse famous for its ribs, smoked sausage, and Cornish game hens.
- Tops Bar-B-Q · Fast Food Barbecue · 4.2★ (850)Longtime regional staple serving pit-cooked pulled pork, burgers, and classic sides.
- Roxie's Grocery · Deli / Grocery · 4.5★ (620)Neighborhood corner grocery store renowned across Memphis for hearty, made-to-order burgers.
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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