Is Phillips Estates safe?
Bessemer, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Phillips Estates as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Phillips Estates
“Go with care. Phillips Estates is a quiet, predominantly single-family residential subdivision, but it sits within Bessemer, which experiences elevated violent and property crime rates compared to the national average. Visitors visiting friends or family will find typical suburban daytime conditions, but standard personal safety precautions and vehicle awareness are recommended after dark.”
About the area
Phillips Estates is a low-density residential enclave located in the southern portion of Bessemer, Alabama. The area features modest ranch-style single-family homes, leafy residential streets, and convenient highway access to I-20/59. It has very few commercial amenities within its borders, making it primarily a car-dependent neighborhood for local homeowners.
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Suburban
- Modest Homes
Walking and biking in Phillips Estates
Walk score: 18/100 · Bike score: 24/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes, shared bike stations, or multi-use trail connections within Phillips Estates, making cycling purely recreational on low-traffic local streets.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Predominantly single-family neighborhood with relatively stable homeownership
- Lower immediate traffic and street disorder compared to central Bessemer corridors
- Convenient proximity to major retail and dining hubs along Academy Drive and I-20/59
Cons
- Susceptible to broader Bessemer municipal crime trends, including property theft and vehicle break-ins
- Higher municipal poverty and strained municipal emergency response times across the city
- Zero commercial walkability requiring a personal vehicle for all basic errands
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within the residential streets of Phillips Estates, though occasional unhoused individuals may be seen near high-traffic highway interchanges and commercial retail centers along I-20/59.
What Phillips Estates is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet as residents commute to work with minimal foot traffic on the streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm residential atmosphere with occasional neighborhood traffic and delivery vehicles.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential settling-in period with low street activity and diminishing pedestrian presence.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very quiet with sparse street lighting in sections; it is advisable to remain indoors and secure vehicles.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA / MAX Transit), but route coverage directly into Phillips Estates is extremely limited, requiring a vehicle for reliable transportation.
Parking is abundant and hassle-free, with private driveways throughout the neighborhood and free curbside parking along residential streets.
Things to do in Phillips Estates
- Enjoy an outdoor stroll or picnic at nearby Bessemer Recreation Center and Park
- Browse local shopping and dining options along the Academy Drive commercial corridor
- Visit historic downtown Bessemer's architectural landmarks just a short drive to the north
Local favorites
- The Bright Star · Southern / Greek Restaurant · 4.6★ (3200)Alabama's oldest continuously operating restaurant, known for classic snapper, steaks, and Greek-style specialties.
- Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.5★ (2900)Longtime local institution serving pit-cooked barbecue pork, ribs, and Southern sides over open hickory fires.
- Snitzu · Southern / Comfort Food · 4.4★ (320)Popular local eatery serving generous plates of wings, burgers, and comfort food staples.
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.