Is The Village Southwest safe?
Memphis, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates The Village Southwest as “No-go after dark”.
Gogo's take on The Village Southwest
“Go with care. Visitors without specific residential business in the area have little reason to linger here, as Southwest Memphis experiences persistently high rates of both violent and property crime. If visiting nearby cultural attractions or local eateries, remain vigilant, travel by car, and avoid staying after dark.”
Southwest Memphis precincts continue to receive enhanced patrol deployments in response to elevated citywide rates of vehicle theft, robberies, and gun violence.
About the area
The Village Southwest is an established, predominantly residential neighborhood located in Southwest Memphis near Westwood and Whitehaven. Characterized by modest mid-century single-family homes and quiet residential streets, it sits just a short drive from major Memphis landmarks like Graceland and T.O. Fuller State Park.
- Suburban
- Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
Walking and biking in The Village Southwest
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 32/100
There is no dedicated bike-share infrastructure or protected bike lanes within the neighborhood, though the multi-use trails at nearby T.O. Fuller State Park are a short drive away.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Convenient driving access to Interstate 55 and Elvis Presley Boulevard
- Close proximity to T.O. Fuller State Park and historic Chucalissa
- Primarily detached single-family residential fabric on spacious lots
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates are significantly higher than national averages
- Substantial poverty rates exceeding 25% alongside depressed median household incomes
- Elevated residential vacancy rates and scattered property disrepair
- Extremely limited commercial services and high car dependency
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is relatively low within the interior residential streets, though unhoused individuals and panhandling can occasionally be observed along commercial thoroughfares like Third Street and Raines Road.
What The Village Southwest is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Relatively quiet with residents commuting and school buses running, posing minimal risk for cautious daytime drivers.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Residential activity picks up along local streets, but visitors should stay alert to surroundings and park in well-lit areas.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Streets empty quickly as darkness falls; pedestrian travel is not recommended due to limited visibility and safety concerns.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late-night foot traffic is unsafe due to increased risks of violent encounters, property crimes, and opportunistic theft.
Transit, parking and getting around
Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) provides limited bus service along major perimeter corridors like Third Street (Route 39) and Raines Road, but headways are long and car travel is heavily favored.
Free residential street parking and private driveway parking are abundant throughout the neighborhood with zero paid meters or garages.
Things to do in The Village Southwest
- Explore the nature trails, birdwatching, and golf course at nearby T.O. Fuller State Park
- Tour the historic C.H. Nash Museum and archaeological site at Chucalissa
- Visit Graceland and the Elvis Presley Entertainment Complex just east of the neighborhood
Local favorites
- Uncle Lou's Fried Chicken · Fried Chicken Restaurant · 4.5★ (2900)Famed local joint serving sweet-and-spicy glazed fried chicken and home-style sides.
- Pollard's Bar-B-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.4★ (1150)Neighborhood favorite known for hickory-smoked ribs, pulled pork, and hearty platters.
- A&R Bar-B-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.3★ (2400)Longstanding South Memphis fixture dishing out classic rib tips and smoked sandwiches.
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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