Is It Safe To Live in Nashville?

“Nashville is such as safe place to live”. We hear this sentiment from our clients all the time. As a cash home-buying company, we work with countless people interested in Nashville real estate every day. One of the top selling points for homeowners here is undoubtedly the neighborhood. Nashville strikes a perfect balance—offering modern infrastructure while maintaining that small-town warmth where neighbors still know each other. If you had to compare it, life here feels more like the 1970s than a bustling metropolis. So, is Nashville safe? Our answer is yes—but don’t just take our word for it. Today, we’re diving into the details to show you why Nashville is a fantastic place to live based on safety, community, and overall livability.

What Makes a Location Safe or Unsafe?

When evaluating how safe a place is to live, several factors come into play. Population size is a big one—denser areas tend to experience higher crime rates, simply because there are more people and, unfortunately, more opportunities for crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, Memphis, Tennessee, which has a population of 621,056, reported a homicide rate of 14.6 per 100,000 residents. While that number might sound concerning, it’s far lower than the nationwide average for big cities, which is 35.2 per 100,000.

Nashville was once ranked among the safest cities in the country, but as the city has grown, crime rates have naturally fluctuated. That said, there’s a big difference between an area being unsafe and an area simply having a few crime hotspots. Nashville still boasts strong infrastructure and safe neighborhoods, making it an attractive option for homeowners and investors alike.

The Safest Neighborhoods in Nashville

Among Nashville’s neighborhoods, East Nashville consistently ranks as one of the safest. However, some parts of the city have seen an increase in crime rates in recent years. We’ve noticed that more homeowners are selling their properties and relocating to different areas of the city, particularly to East Nashville, due to its reputation for safety.

Whether you’re moving to a new city or looking for a safer neighborhood in Nashville, it’s essential to research local crime rates, school quality, healthcare access, and overall quality of life. Nashville’s entertainment scene, great weather, and affordability have made it a top choice for people moving to Tennessee. But how does it really rank in terms of safety?

How Safe Is Nashville Really?

Safety isn’t just about crime statistics—it also includes access to quality schools, healthcare, and general livability. Millions of people proudly call Tennessee home, drawn by the favorable tax policies, four-season climate, and, of course, its status as the heart of country music. While some urban areas may have higher crime rates that skew the averages, Tennessee overall remains a safe place to live. Some of the safest areas in the state are located just outside of Nashville.

Safety concerns also vary depending on your lifestyle. Young families looking to buy a home might prioritize different factors than retirees. If you’re considering moving to Nashville or its surrounding suburbs, you’ll want to explore aspects such as street safety, reliable public transportation, and access to medical facilities.

Nashville at Night: What You Should Know

Nashville has a thriving nightlife scene, and for the most part, it’s as safe as any other urban area. While some clubs have had some incidents, Nashville remains a secure destination, even at night. However, as with any city, it’s always best to be cautious. Seniors, for example, should be mindful of uneven sidewalks and street crossings after dark to avoid trip hazards. If you’re out in the evening, it’s generally advisable to walk with a companion and stick to well-lit areas.

    Natural Disasters

Nashville sits just east of Tornado Alley, meaning it’s at lower risk for tornadoes than some Midwestern cities, but severe storms can still occur. The city receives about 50 inches of rain per year, with spring and fall bringing the highest flood risks in low-lying areas (NOAA). One of the worst floods in Nashville’s history happened in May 2010, when record rainfall caused the Cumberland River to overflow, devastating downtown. Winters are relatively mild, averaging 4-5 inches of snow per season. To keep residents safe, Nashville has an emergency preparedness program that includes tornado sirens, flood warning systems, and disaster response teams (Metro Nashville OEM). The city’s risk management efforts continue to evolve, ensuring better safety for its growing population. To keep residents safe, Nashville has invested in robust emergency alert systems. The Metro Outdoor Tornado Siren System has 113 sirens placed across Davidson County​. Sirens are activated by the National Weather Service whenever a Tornado Warning is issued for any part of the county (The siren network was upgraded in 2020 to activate only in the warned polygon area, improving its precision​).

    Safe Public Transportation

Nashville offers various public transportation options, including buses, commuter trains, taxis, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. The city’s public transportation system is generally safe, with crime rates similar to other major U.S. cities (FBI Crime Data). Uber and Lyft provide added safety features, such as GPS tracking, driver background checks, and emergency assistance within the app (Uber Safety). As with any city, staying aware of your surroundings and using well-lit, designated stops can further enhance safety while using public transit.

   Medical Care

• The city of Nashville and its surrounding suburban communities have a sufficient number of hospitals and medical clinics to meet all the needs of its residents   

For those who are looking to move out of the big city and head to the suburbs, there are several stunning suburban areas including Germantown, Green Hills, and Hillsboro to consider. Living in the suburbs provides residents with a more peaceful place to call home with the benefit of still living close to all the amenities that the city center offers. Let’s take a closer look at some of the safest neighborhoods in Nashville.

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Some Safe Neighborhoods In Nashville

    Kingston Springs

• The suburb of Kingston Springs is less than a 30-minute drive to downtown Nashville making it the perfect location for commuting residents 
• Located on the Harpeth River, this small community of 2,800 has many natural features that will give you the feeling of country living 
• The strong school system and low crime rates
• Kingston Springs is rated one of the top places to retire in Tennessee
• Homes can be purchased for $300,000 to $550,000

    Brentwood

• Located just 15 minutes south of Nashville, this is the perfect suburb for commuters
• Luxurious neighborhood with high-end homes, higher cost of living, and amenities like restaurants and coffee shops
• The award-winning public school system
• Median home prices and condo prices are over $750,000
• Very low crime rates   

Hendersonville

• Family-oriented community on the shores of Old Hickory Lake
• Located a short 20 miles north of Nashville
• The population of 57,000 with many amenities that you would find in a large city
• The crime rate is less than half the National Average
• Homes in Hendersonville range from $350,000 – $650,000

When looking for a home in the Memphis or Nashville area, while it’s good to have knowledge about the nicer suburbs, it’s also important to know what areas to avoid. The city center of Nashville has a few neighborhoods that include higher crime rates in the same fashion as many urban centers. It’s important to take a closer look at the area that you are looking at beyond the housing market statistics. As a buyer, you don’t want to end up finding an affordable home in Music City and then find out that the neighborhood is less than desirable. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the least safe neighborhoods in Nashville, Tennessee.

    Heron Walk

• The population of 11,938 with 938% higher crime rate than the National Average
• Total reported crimes in 2021 were 14,832 with 4,026 violent crimes including murder and property theft

    Glencliff

• The population of 7,729 with nearly 13,000 crimes reported in 2021
• Violent crimes reported in 2021 were 3,091

    West Meade

A total of 11,347 crimes were reported in 2021 with over 4,500 violent crimes

The population is 469 but many of the crimes are committed by perpetrators from outside this neighborhood

Nashville Crime Rates By Type

The City of Nashville has had some ups and downs with its overall crime rates during the past 40 years. With an all-time high of 59,522 Part 1 Crimes in 1996, Nashville has tamped down those numbers through police reformation to a reported 37,023 in 2021. While there is still obvious room for improvement with its crime statistics, Nashville is rated as an average crime area compared with the National numbers.

It’s important to note, that the numbers reported here only account for Part 1 crimes which are often referred to as the violent crime rate. These include violent crimes, property crime rates, and armed crimes. Other illegal actions like fraud or traffic violations are not factored into these numbers. Let’s take a closer look at Nashville’s crime rates per crime type in 2022 and compare them to the 2023 numbers.

Local Nashville Response Times

In the past few years, Nashville residents have been seeking answers about the long response times from authorities for non-emergency accidents. While the Metro Nashville Emergency Services claim that they are doing their jobs as much as they are able with limited staff and resources, longer than average response times have many residents worried about their safety.

In some cases of non-emergency calls like a car accident without injuries, residents have had to wait for several hours to talk to a police officer. With response times rating as average among the national listings, most residents understand that crimes of a more serious nature including violent crimes must be attended to in order of priority, but there is still concern about the lack of resources.

In response to concerns from Nashville citizens, the Police Services Department has committed to opening an additional police precinct with over 100 new officers in 2022. These additional resources are intended to help shrink the response times of emergency personnel and build confidence in the residents of the area. 

Endnote

Nashville is a vibrant entertainment capital of the Southeast and has many natural and cultural gifts to offer its residents. As in many large metropolitan areas, there are going to be some areas that are more prone to criminal activity, and the same can be said about some central metro Nashville neighborhoods. However, if you are thinking about moving to the Nashville area, there are still many lovely neighborhoods and suburbs where your family can enjoy a high quality of life.

As Nashville continues to grow, the municipal governing bodies are invested in expanding the police force and other emergency agencies to help those in need. Your family can enjoy a wonderful life in Nashville, a city that has much to offer.