Is Pleasant Hills safe?
Knoxville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Pleasant Hills as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Pleasant Hills
“Go. Pleasant Hills is a calm, established residential neighborhood in Northwest Knoxville that presents very few safety concerns for visitors. While it is strictly suburban with limited dedicated tourist landmarks, it serves as a secure, convenient base close to major roadways and city parks.”
About the area
Pleasant Hills is a quiet, mid-century suburban community located in Northwest Knoxville near the intersection of Pleasant Ridge Road and Western Avenue. It features rolling, tree-lined residential streets, single-family homes, and convenient strip retail along its outer borders. Visitors typically use the area for affordable lodging, local dining, and easy access to Interstate 640 and downtown Knoxville.
- Suburban Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet / Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Pleasant Hills
Walk score: 26/100 · Bike score: 24/100
There is no public bike-share program in the area, but cyclists can access the Northwest Greenway system at Victor Ashe Park for paved recreational trail riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than Knoxville municipal averages.
- Established, owner-occupied residential fabric with high vehicle access and stable occupancy.
- Quick vehicular access to I-640, Western Avenue commercial services, and Victor Ashe Park.
Cons
- Occasional isolated property theft and vehicle break-ins along commercial thoroughfares.
- Lacks comprehensive sidewalk infrastructure, limiting pedestrian safety along collector streets.
- Nighttime street illumination is sparse across interior residential lanes.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically nonexistent on interior residential streets, though occasional unhoused individuals may be seen near bus stops and commercial plazas along Western Avenue.
What Pleasant Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very safe and calm, with low-density residential traffic and residents walking pets along neighborhood streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and peaceful, characterized by steady local traffic heading toward nearby schools and retail centers.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet with little foot traffic; neighborhood streets feel secure though street lighting is minimal.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally peaceful and quiet, though caution is recommended along unlit roadway shoulders due to lack of sidewalks.
Transit, parking and getting around
Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) provides bus coverage via routes along Western Avenue with limited frequency; Knoxville does not operate a passenger rail or BRT system.
Parking is abundant and entirely free, with ample space on residential driveways and large surface lots at all commercial plazas.
Things to do in Pleasant Hills
- Enjoy the disc golf course, dog park, and paved greenway trails at nearby Victor Ashe Park.
- Explore local family-owned international eateries along the Western Avenue commercial strip.
- Take a short drive into downtown Knoxville and Market Square via Western Avenue.
Local favorites
- Las Fuentes Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.4★ (580)A casual local favorite serving generous portions of authentic Mexican dishes and house-made salsas.
- Victor Ashe Park · City Park · 4.7★ (1420)A sprawling 120-acre regional park offering soccer fields, a stocked fishing pond, and disc golf.
- D&B's Hot Dogs and Ice Cream · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (310)A retro-style counter spot known for specialty hot dogs, milkshakes, and friendly neighborhood service.
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.
Add this score to your site
Writing about Pleasant Hills? Copy this code to show its live safety score on your blog or listing.