Is Poplar Grove safe?
Kingsport, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Poplar Grove as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Poplar Grove
“Go. Poplar Grove is a calm, established residential neighborhood that is exceptionally safe for visitors. Violent crime is rare, and the suburban setting offers a secure, peaceful environment.”
About the area
Poplar Grove is a quiet, tree-lined residential community in Kingsport defined by detached single-family homes, rolling topography, and low traffic. While primarily residential, it offers quick vehicle access to regional outdoor recreation and Kingsport's central commercial amenities.
- Quiet Residential
- Family-Friendly
- Suburban / Wooded
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Poplar Grove
Walk score: 18/100 · Bike score: 24/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes or bike-share programs in Poplar Grove, though the nearby Kingsport Greenbelt offers miles of paved, separated multi-use trails for cyclists.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than state and national medians
- High owner-occupancy rates and well-kept single-family homes provide strong neighborhood stability
- Peaceful, low-density street layout with minimal non-local vehicle traffic
Cons
- Nearly complete car dependency with minimal sidewalks or pedestrian infrastructure
- Limited street lighting along some winding residential corridors
- Very few commercial dining or entertainment options directly within neighborhood boundaries
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in this residential neighborhood. Community support services and shelters are concentrated closer to downtown Kingsport.
What Poplar Grove is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and bright with residents walking dogs, children catching school buses, and light commuter departures.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet and safe with pleasant suburban views and minimal neighborhood activity.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and relaxed as residents return home, feeling completely secure for evening strolls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and tranquil with virtually no street activity, though narrow unlit roads require careful driving.
Transit, parking and getting around
Kingsport Area Transit Service (KATS) provides public bus transit across the city, but routes into Poplar Grove are very sparse to nonexistent, requiring personal vehicles for reliable travel. There is no rail or BRT service in the region.
Parking is abundant and free, with ample space on private residential driveways and easy, unrestricted curbside parking along neighborhood streets.
Things to do in Poplar Grove
- Enjoy outdoor recreation, boating, and hiking trails at nearby Warriors' Path State Park
- Take a short drive to Downtown Kingsport to visit the historic Kingsport Carousel and local shops
- Stroll or jog along the Kingsport Greenbelt multi-use trail system located a short drive away
Local favorites
- Pal's Sudden Service · Fast Food Restaurant · 4.6★ (1250)Beloved East Tennessee drive-thru institution famous for Frenchie Fries, chipped ham sandwiches, and sweet tea.
- Braeden's BBQ & Catering · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.5★ (890)Down-home local eatery serving hickory-smoked pulled pork, ribs, brisket, and traditional Southern sides.
- The Chop House - Kingsport · Steakhouse · 4.4★ (1820)Popular regional dining spot offering premium steaks, chops, seafood, and classic cocktails in a casual-upscale setting.
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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