Is Bolton safe?
Memphis, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Bolton as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Bolton
“Go. Bolton is a quiet, semi-rural community on the northeastern edge of Shelby County that experiences very low violent crime compared to the broader Memphis metropolitan area. Visitors traveling through or exploring local parks and agricultural landscapes will find a calm and secure environment, though having a personal vehicle is essential.”
About the area
Bolton is an exurban and agricultural enclave situated near Arlington and Lakeland in northeast Shelby County. Known for its open acreage, equestrian properties, and Bolton High School, the area offers a peaceful countryside setting far removed from urban congestion.
- Rural / Agricultural
- Quiet & Spread-Out
- Car-Dependent
- Family-Oriented
Walking and biking in Bolton
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 24/100
There are no bike-share stations or dedicated on-street bike lanes, though rural road shoulders are occasionally utilized by experienced long-distance road cyclists.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Substantially lower violent and property crime rates than the Memphis city average
- High rate of homeownership and stable, spacious residential properties
- Quiet rural atmosphere with low traffic density and minimal commercial congestion
- Close proximity to outdoor recreation at nearby state parks and greenways
Cons
- Extremely car-dependent with zero walkable commercial districts
- Emergency response times can be longer than in dense urban cores due to rural road networks
- Unlit, narrow rural roads present driving hazards after dark
- Limited local dining, shopping, and entertainment options within immediate borders
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Bolton, with zero encampments or panhandling observed due to the low-density exurban setting.
What Bolton is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and scenic with morning commuter traffic along major country connectors and school buses en route to Bolton High.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with wide open spaces, though local roads lack sidewalks for pedestrian movement.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential dusk with minimal activity outside private properties and local farmsteads.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-black rural roads and virtually no foot traffic; driving requires caution due to wildlife and poor lighting, but personal safety risk is low.
Transit, parking and getting around
Bolton has no direct Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) fixed-route bus service or rail transit; personal vehicles or ride-share services are necessary for all travel.
Parking is abundant, free, and unrestricted in private driveways, school lots, and local business storefronts.
Things to do in Bolton
- Explore the nearby natural trails and horseback riding routes near the Loosahatchie River basin
- Visit local seasonal farm stands and equestrian boarding facilities along Brunswick and Rosemark roads
- Take a short drive to nearby Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park or Davies Manor Historic Site for regional history and hiking
Local favorites
- Midtown Donuts & Tacos (Lakeland/Bolton Area) · Breakfast & Bakery · 4.6★ (180)Popular roadside stop offering fresh morning donuts, breakfast burritos, and quick coffee.
- Country Meat Market · Butcher Shop & Grocery · 4.7★ (320)Longstanding local market specializing in custom-cut meats, smoked sausages, and southern pantry goods.
- Craves Bar-B-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.4★ (210)Down-home roadside barbecue joint serving classic Memphis-style pulled pork, ribs, and savory sides.
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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