Is North Nashville East South safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates North Nashville East South as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on North Nashville East South
“Go with care. North Nashville East South offers rich cultural history, emerging culinary spots, and artistic community hubs, but violent and property crime rates remain significantly above the Nashville metro average. Visitors should stick to commercial corridors during daylight or early evening hours and exercise standard urban street awareness.”
Metro Police have continued focused patrols along the Jefferson Street and Buchanan Street corridors following intermittent reports of localized gun violence and vehicle break-ins.
About the area
North Nashville East South encompasses historic African American cultural corridors near Jefferson Street and the Buchanan Arts District. The area is undergoing substantial revitalization and redevelopment, blending long-standing neighborhood staples and historic landmarks with contemporary creative businesses. Visitors are drawn by its culinary heritage, art galleries, and proximity to downtown and Germantown.
- Historic / Cultured
- Arts & Dining
- Transitional
- Urban Core
Walking and biking in North Nashville East South
Walk score: 62/100 · Bike score: 55/100
Nashville BCycle has stations nearby in adjacent Germantown and along Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, with indirect access to the Cumberland River Greenway.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Vibrant cultural corridor featuring renowned Black-owned restaurants, art spaces, and music heritage
- Rapidly improving commercial pockets around the Buchanan Arts District and Jefferson Street
- Close physical proximity to downtown Nashville, Germantown, and major universities
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates are elevated compared to the Nashville municipal average
- Poverty rates remain over 25% in several adjacent census tracts alongside sharp gentrification pressures
- Noticeable variance in street lighting, sidewalk upkeep, and security from block to block
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present, primarily along major transit corridors like Jefferson Street and Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, though large encampments are uncommon directly in residential zones.
What North Nashville East South is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and quiet with residents commuting and local cafes opening; generally safe for walking along main streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Moderate foot traffic and patron activity around retail and dining corridors; street awareness is recommended off the main strips.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Popular dining and lounge destinations draw steady crowds, but foot travel should be restricted to well-lit commercial blocks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Activity winds down sharply and the risk of opportunistic crime or violent altercations rises; avoid walking alone and rely on rideshares.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit operates frequent bus service through the area via Route 9 (MetroCenter), Route 22 (Bordeaux), and Route 42 (St. Cecilia/Cumberland); there is no direct passenger rail connection.
Free or low-cost street parking is widely available along residential streets and business corridors, with dedicated customer lots at most restaurants and retail plazas.
Things to do in North Nashville East South
- Explore local contemporary art and exhibitions at the Buchanan Arts District galleries
- Sample iconic Nashville hot chicken and artisanal pizza along the Jefferson Street corridor
- Tour the historic African American civil rights and musical landmarks near Fisk University and Meharry Medical College
Local favorites
- Slim & Husky's Pizza Beeria · Pizza Restaurant · 4.6★ (2150)Hip, lively counter-serve pizzeria founded in North Nashville serving artisan pies and craft beer with a 90s hip-hop vibe.
- EG&MC Cocktail Bar · Cocktail Bar · 4.7★ (310)Sophisticated neighborhood cocktail and tapas bar focusing on craft beverages and welcoming community events on Jefferson St.
- Woodcuts Gallery & Framing · Art Gallery · 4.8★ (115)Longstanding cultural institution and gallery featuring work by prominent African American artists alongside framing services.
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.