Theres no shortage of dangerous areas that tourists should stay away from in Memphis. Times are changing, though, which can be shown by the type of drugs in the city. You'll notice a lot of police presence downtown (especially around Beale Street) in both the day and night, but travelers should still exercise caution in tourist areas, which are known to have a high concentration of panhandlers. Crime is everywhere in Shelby County and the peripheral areas. You can walk or run along nearly 11 miles of trails and two lakes where you can paddle or canoe. I dont know why youd want to visit Bartlett or Cordova, but they are okay, but be smart because they still have murders and theft. Food was awesome though. The city has seen a slight decline in overall crimes but compared to other cities nearby, Memphis still is very dangerous. Never had any issues living in Bartlett. Its safer to use a cab or trolley at night, rather than walk too far through the downtown area, especially if youre alone. Memphis welcomes close to 10 million visitorsannually. Avoid wearing obviously expensive jewelry or calling attention to other expensive items that you might be carrying. This year it was once again named the most dangerous city in the US, with the . Crime happens everywhere in Memphis. If you are traveling downtown in a cab or transport shuttle, you will be perfectly safe, but it is a little different when things turn dark. I was born there and raised there till I was 13 and moved to SC its crazy in Memphis but I miss my home town, Yall are crazy Memphis is always ranked 3 are higher in America but it is a big city so of course they drag it to say its not dangerous for money and house owners to real people in to come here yall crazy if yall believe thats true the crime rate its crazy and its not changing. Be confident in where youre going or what youre doing. We did get laughed at by the locals when we said we went to the bus station to get a bus and were strictly warned to never do that again (we stood out like sore thumbs) and were even told by a local theyd give us their car keys before we ever did that again we visited the Peabody and stayed in The Hampton Inn and a few other spots and the level of care and friendliness from the staff in hotels was astounding. If every state had a first 48 crime lab there you would see all the dangerous areas it would take over the news, tv shows, commercials, etc. Also, watch out for taxi drivers or vendors who will overcharge to get more out of you unscrupulously. Would never go anywhere near again. I've lived here for 4 years, moving around 3 different areas (Midtown, East Memphis, Germantown), and I don't feel is particularly dangerous. But all in all I really fell in love with the place and the people. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. ", "Many residents will downplay the crime in Memphis, but I think everyone should be told up front that Memphis is not a joke and not somewhere you can come and be flippant in regards to your safety. The most dangerous areas in the Memphis metro area are in red, with moderately safe areas in yellow. | Safety Concerns, Written by: Author Andrew Helling |Reviewed by: Editorial Team. It may have apopulation of slightly over 39,400 people, but Parkway Village has an exceptionally high rate of violent crimes. Unfortunately in 2022, the city saw even more crime creep into some of the neighborhoods that were deemed safe. You can practically drive around the city in around 30 mins. Most panhandlers are harmless, but there are thieves that will snatch your wallet if you bring it out. ", " If youre not involved with gangs or drugs, youll avoid a vast majority of the crime thats represented in the crime statistics. ", "Your biggest problem while visiting Downtown would be a loud panhandler or homeless person. MoneyGeek came up with this year's list by analyzing the FBI's crime statistics for 2021 (the most recent . Not all of Memphis is a high risk either, but it's such a "block by block" danger in some neighborhoods, you deserve to be aware of the higher crime rates here. Women statistically have a lower risk of being violent crime victims than a man, and a good chunk of the crime here against women is domestic. Nor with a education capable to enter college. Homeless people would panhandle in the lines of fast-food restaurants, leaving you stuck in your car while they shout and beg for money. Literally. Even those sunglasses you left sitting on the dash. Its a great city that has tons of attractions and a thriving music, art and food scene. Apparently shootings had been under reported for 2019. Its important to stay in places designated for tourists and keep a low profile while being confident in your movements. Only tip if you want to, and avoid buying stuff from people that are clearly trying to hustle you. Absolutely correct!! The vacant 2 . Daytime or nighttime walking in Memphis is risky. Memphis is considered one of the most dangerous cities in the United States for violent crime. I lived in Memphis for 35 years before I decided that I had had enough of the crime, the prejudice, the bad housing I only go back to visit my brother and then leave as quickly as I can horribly place to live. Or the income necessary to do so. There are interactive exhibits, historical displays, re-enactments, movies, and inspiration for a better future. Why Are Asian People So Smart? To remain safe, stay alert and watch your belongings while paying attention to whos around you. - Data Reporter, Birmingham Business Journal. Memphis is the largest city in the top ten, and it's also the most violent of all the cities we're going to talk about. This includes parked cars and carjackings on the road. If youre walking around the city, study and plan your route beforehand so you dont end up in a part of the city you shouldnt be in. Stay away from any kind of confrontation and nicely say "No" to the homeless people who ask for money. And we stayed out until all hours of the morning down Beale Street. It was the biggest mistake! Although you will have a higher chance of being a victim if you are in Orange Mound or Frayser. Drugs have always been a problem in Memphis, and it has no signs of decreasing. Looking at the statistics and taking into accounts the opinions of the residents, Memphis is not a safe place to visit. Signature outdoor festivals, the infamous Graceland, and Sun studios are a few reasons why some people will bear the relentless Memphis summer heat to get a taste of what lifes like on this side of the Mississippi river. The United States has an average mugging of .73 for every 1000 people. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico have issued a new warning to visitors of Cancun and the Mexican state of Quintana Roo over a potential conflict between taxi drivers and ride-hailing service companies which has caused many tourists to wonder is Quintana Roo safe. It may be one of the most dangerous places to be, but if you stay alert, keep your eyes ahead, and stay out of other peoples business, you should be fine. So what are you waiting for book your trip today! While any big city like Memphis will have an elevated risk, there's a much bigger concern about criminals in the city leading to historical violent crime and homicide records than a terror group on the other side of the world. Are you black? Youre giving the city a bad reputation. If you are on Beale Street, stay on Beale Street and don't wander block by block. Of course, there are some areas you should avoidjust like OTHER cities. Know who is around you and what is happening around you. We recommend that you stay in the main areas of downtown and do not wander outside of that area, as it can get desolate and sketchy. Shreveport, Louisiana can be a dangerous city for locals and tourists alike, though it doesn't have nearly as many violent or property crimes as larger cities on the list. Dont fall for it. National Civil Rights Museum: An expansive museum built around the location where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. The statistics showthat Memphis has a long way to go before the authorities can tame the crime levels up to where Memphis can get a clean bill of rights regarding safety. Have visited Memphis quite a bit over the past few years, as wife is a native Memphian. Memphis has the highest violent and property crime rate in the U.S. You can even pay a little extra to be the Duckmaster for the day. Here is a list of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Memphis that you should avoid. While both cities can be considered dangerous in comparison to the national average, Memphis is a top five dangerous city, while Nashville ranks just outside the top 50. Reports show that there are an average of 1,900 reported cases of violent crimeper every 100,000 people in Memphis, Tennessee. This city has a magical allure that attracts eager tourists looking to experience a different culture and learn about Americas musical history. No issues in Memphis. We shopped at Sears for hours and never felt unsafe. If she's staying near Graceland, that's not an area where it would be safe to walk around at night. Living there, I knew there were just parts of town I wouldn't drive through. Dont go wandering, Memphis is patchy and can turn from relatively safe to super sketchy in the blink of an eye. Despite the recent headlines, there isnt a huge problem with random acts of violence against strangers. Leading to vicious life cycles. Be aware of your surroundings. Common areas to find this type of activity is around banks, airports, and ATM locations. The Most Dangerous Cities in the US. This is a green space along the river with a riverfront walk that goes from one side of the island to the other. Memphis is the southern location for street gangs throughout Tennessee. Memphis is as safe as any other city in the world, and a beautiful place to live and work. Memphis, on the other hand, surpassed that by a substantial amount. They had 80 freeway shootings on I-240 last year which loops around the city. This is Elvis hometown and the home where he lived, Graceland, is one of the most visited places in the South. Don't waste your hard-earned money. Midtown has made headlines for murders, violent crimes, and among other issues, theft. But in Memphis, the leading prosecuting attorney is not doing her job. Theres nothing dirty and broken in my view. getty 15 Safest Large Cities in the US. Violent crimes include; homicides, rape, robbery and aggravated assaults and the violent crime rate is calculated by dividing the number of reported crimes by the total population; the result is multiplied by 100,000. Youll likely be humming it by the time you leave if you can get Lynyrd Skynyrds Free Bird out of your head. pay for content, product research, guides, and more). Tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes are not surprising to local residents. Meanwhile, the Memphis Tourism Blues Stage on Beale relocates the festival's popular Blues Tent theme to Handy Park, 200 Beale St. By the number from 2021, here are some of the risks in Memphis: Memphis has too much history to be considered too dangerous to visit, but you need to have all your safety skills, awareness of the crime issues, and common sense at every step. Memphis used to be cool. This article is quite misleading. Memphis is one of the beautiful cities in southeastern region of United States and it is the 2 nd largest city in Tennessee State. Thefts and break-ins are a daily occurrence in Orange Mound. The main problems are related to drug trafficking, vandalism, assault, and robbery. Ive lived here for nearly 34 years. (9 Reasons Why), Why Are Netflix Originals So Bad? Areas like Beale Street are not much safe for the tourists. Big River Crossing offers an opportunity to walk or bike across the Mississippi River. While crime is concentrated to certain areas, those areas border good areas. In 2019, there were 237 homicides. Forceful purse snatching, car theft, and larceny make up the highest reported property crime cases. You never honestly know what Mother Nature has in store for you, but it boosts the citys danger levels. The statistics used in the list are valid and, of course, should be taken seriously. Spawn is one of the most picturesque areas in Memphis. It is a horrible truth that happens daily to people who have no idea what happened until it is too late. Its no surprise to park your car at a particular point you consider safe only to come back to find a car that has been broken into or, worse, an empty parking space. Right now, he's living in South Korea, but he's always on the lookout for his next adventure. For example, East Nashville is a popular area that is mostly safe, but there are some pockets that you should avoid. If you have traveling companions, its always safer to go walking with a friend than by yourself. You could also strictly stick around areas like Germantown, Cooper-Young, Binghamton, Midtown, and East Memphis because they are much safer. What makes Memphis dangerous? No two blocks are the same. The top areas in Memphis you should avoid include: Downtown Memphis has thousands of people crisscrossing the streets, making it the perfect breeding ground for pickpockets and buglers. Never go to a house party if you are invited - you don't want to walk into a dangerous situation. Im now dreading this trip with my Grandson. We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Memphis also has a homeless problem, and I cant tell you how many times I went to grab dinner at a fast food drive-thru to see homeless people begging me for money while I was trapped in the drive-thru line. People are investing in midtown and downtown Memphis and I find both areas to be relatively safe. It is also a city you shouldn't avoid because of that - you just need to know the information you're researching now. Especially at night. But its mostly petty crime there, a lot of car break ins. As with any other city in the world, stay away from areas deemed to be of ill-repute. The poverty rate here was nearly 25% in 2020. About every other episode is from Memphis tn. Im from Australia and still think we will go back for Mums 60th. Drugs destroy communities and turn ordinary people into criminals. The Lorraine Motel is now part of a larger museum that honors civil rights advocates while educating people on how to stop systemic racism and hope for a more peaceful future. Start Here North America Tennessee Is Memphis Safe to Visit in 2023? Downtown has a permanent resident population of 48,441. Honestly the only people who feel like Memphis is dangerous is older white people who are afraid of black people, considering that most of the black people in the entire state of TN reside in Shelby County. link to Whatever Happened To Alexandra Isles, 'Victoria Winters' From Dark Shadows? Mind your own business, and be polite and firm as you walk away from someone trying to hustle you. But both have their charms. Women should definitely use caution when out on Beale Street at night. 80! Some of the other crimes within the city have been slowly decreasing, but vehicle thefts have been on the rise. Unfortunately, however, some daring tourists lose their lives in tragic accidents at popular tourist attractions. Report inappropriate content FGrantWhittle Memphis, Tennessee Destination Expert for Memphis Level Contributor I still Love and Enjoy my Visits to Memphis!! Thanks for the info. It can be a safer place to visit at night if you learn which parts of the city you should avoid. Not only is that dangerous, but theres also a Fentanyl outbreak that causes overdoses and deaths at an alarming rate. ", "There are a lot of homeless in downtown and they be pretty persistent but you shouldnt worry about them. Sign up for our free newsletter. Notorious motorcycle gang crews here have a reputation that goes beyond Memphis. Most unsafe neighborhoods in Memphis are on the citys outskirts. It problematically shares this honor with cities like St. Louis and Baltimore. If you're into country music, Nashville is the obvious choice. I'd worry less about being scammed and more about being hustled.