Is North Nashville Northwest North East safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates North Nashville Northwest North East as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on North Nashville Northwest North East
“Go with care. North Nashville possesses rich cultural history and emerging arts districts, but it experiences higher rates of violent and property crime than Nashville averages. Visitors should stay alert, stick to main corridors during the day and early evening, and avoid walking alone after dark.”
Recent community initiatives and targeted police patrols have focused on reducing recurring gun violence incidents along major commercial thoroughfares like Clarksville Pike and Jefferson Street.
About the area
North Nashville is a historically significant African American cultural and educational hub, home to several HBCUs and the burgeoning Buchanan Arts District. While long-term residents and new creative businesses coexist, the area features noticeable socioeconomic contrasts and uneven street-level safety.
- Historic
- Arts & Culture
- Up-and-Coming
- Developing
Walking and biking in North Nashville Northwest North East
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 51/100
Biking infrastructure is fragmented on major roads, though nearby connections lead toward the Cumberland River Greenway and MetroCenter Levee Greenways.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Vibrant historical legacy with significant civil rights landmarks and cultural institutions
- Growing strip of independent art galleries, cafes, and creative spaces on Buchanan Street
- Convenient driving proximity to Downtown Nashville, Germantown, and MetroCenter
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates remain notably above the Nashville-Davidson metro median
- Higher poverty rate exceeding 25% in several adjacent census tracts with pockets of blighted housing
- Inconsistent street lighting and broken sidewalk networks off primary corridors
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is present along major transit corridors such as Clarksville Pike and around vacant parcels, with occasional panhandling near convenience stores and highway overpasses.
What North Nashville Northwest North East is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and quiet with residents commuting and students walking toward institutions, presenting minimal concern on main roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Bustling around commercial corners and dining hubs; generally comfortable for visitors practicing standard situational awareness.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity concentrates around dinner spots and lounges, but foot traffic thins out quickly on residential side streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Risk levels increase substantially after midnight due to isolated incidents of violent crime and low visibility; walking alone is not advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit operates frequent bus routes through the district, primarily Route 22 (Bordeaux) and Route 9 (MetroCenter/Clarksville Pike), connecting directly to WeGo Central station downtown in 15–20 minutes.
Street parking is largely free and readily available along residential roads and side streets, with small free parking lots available at most independent business centers.
Things to do in North Nashville Northwest North East
- Explore the Buchanan Arts District and browse contemporary local art exhibits
- Tour the historic campuses of Fisk University and Meharry Medical College nearby
- Enjoy classic Nashville hot chicken and Southern comfort food at historic local eateries
Local favorites
- Slim & Husky's Pizza Beeria · Pizza Restaurant · 4.6★ (2350)Hip-hop-inspired artisan pizza joint famous for custom pies and local craft beer.
- Subculture Urban Cuisine and Cafe · Cafe & Eatery · 4.7★ (1100)Laid-back spot serving creative street-food-inspired tacos, sandwiches, and hot chicken.
- Minerva Avenue · Lounge & Bar · 4.3★ (480)Vibrant neighborhood cocktail lounge offering indoor/outdoor seating and DJ nights.
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.