Is Scottsboro safe?
Nashville, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Scottsboro as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Scottsboro
“Go. Scottsboro is an exceptionally safe, scenic, and peaceful rural corner of Davidson County with virtually no violent or property crime risk for visitors. You will need a car to visit, but it offers a tranquil retreat centered around Cumberland River nature and farmland.”
About the area
Scottsboro is a semi-rural and agricultural community situated along the Cumberland River in northwest Nashville. Best known for the expansive Bells Bend Park, it features open pastures, wooded bluffs, and large-acreage farmsteads just a short drive from the urban core.
- Rural / Pastoral
- Car-Dependent
- Scenic & Quiet
- Nature-Focused
- Low-Density
Walking and biking in Scottsboro
Walk score: 8/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There are no Nashville BCycle stations in Scottsboro, but the area is popular with recreational road and gravel cyclists riding along Bells Bend trails and rural routes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low rates of violent and property crime compared to metropolitan Nashville
- Scenic outdoor recreation and pristine open space at Bells Bend Park
- High homeownership rate and stable, well-maintained rural properties
- Quiet countryside setting located roughly 15 minutes from downtown Nashville
Cons
- Completely car-dependent with narrow, winding two-lane roads lacking sidewalks
- Very few commercial businesses, restaurants, or conveniences within the neighborhood
- Spotty cellular reception in river hollows and wooded valley sections
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Scottsboro due to its low-density rural layout and absence of commercial strips or transit hubs.
What Scottsboro is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with morning mist rising over the river pastures, completely safe for hiking or running in the park.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and quiet with occasional outdoor enthusiasts visiting the park trails and local farmsteads.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and tranquil as daylight fades, though narrow, unlit rural roads require cautious driving.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-black and exceptionally quiet with virtually zero pedestrian traffic, maintaining a very low crime profile.
Transit, parking and getting around
WeGo Public Transit does not operate fixed bus routes to the rural Scottsboro area, and there are no nearby commuter rail stations, making a personal vehicle necessary.
Parking is abundant and entirely free at park trailhead lots like the Bells Bend Outdoor Center and boat ramps; no paid meters or parking garages exist.
Things to do in Scottsboro
- Hike, run, or birdwatch along the expansive river and meadow trails in Bells Bend Park
- Pick up seasonal local produce and explore workshops at Bells Bend Farm
- Take a scenic drive along Old Hickory Boulevard and enjoy panoramic views of the Cumberland River
Local favorites
- Bells Bend Outdoor Center · Visitor Center & Nature Reserve · 4.8★ (165)The central visitor hub for Bells Bend Park, providing trail maps, educational nature exhibits, and community programming.
- Bells Bend Farm · Organic Farm · 4.9★ (42)A dedicated local cooperative farm offering seasonal organic produce, CSA memberships, and agricultural workshops.
- Cleeces Ferry Public Boat Ramp · Boat Ramp & River Access · 4.5★ (55)A well-used public river access point on the Cumberland River for boating, kayaking, and fishing enthusiasts.
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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