Planning a trip to Tennessee soon and wondering if Memphis is a dangerous city, which neighborhoods to avoid, and where to stay ? It's true that for years, Memphis has had a reputation as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. So, it's perfectly normal to want to know which neighborhoods to avoid when looking for accommodation in Memphis.
That's the goal of this 2024 guide to Memphis neighborhoods. It lists the most dangerous areas of the city but also the best places to choose your hotel or rental. As a bonus, you can use the Google Maps of the main districts of Memphis that I am also attaching in this article.
My sources are numerous and serious: Press articles, economic sites, traveler forums, statistics and world rankings.
This article is a summary of various internet data on the dangerousness of Memphis and its neighborhoods published in 2023. It therefore does not contain any judgment or discrimination.
Memphis dangerous city in 2024?
YES, in 2024, according to American newspapers, television networks, and numerous websites, Memphis is a dangerous city. It is even said to be ranked among the most dangerous cities in the United States. See for yourself the statistics on the FBI , Statista , CityData.com , or Wikipedia websites.
According to the worldpopulationreview.com and Numbeo.com rankings, Memphis is projected to be the second most crime-ridden city in the United States in 2024, just after Baltimore . See the Numbeo.com table below:
In 2024, according to the Numbeo world ranking , Memphis is among the most crime-ridden cities in the world (16th position out of 456 ranked cities).
But if we compare on a global level on this site, Memphis is less crime-ridden than Johannesburg or Rio de Janeiro.
Memphis dangerous city for tourists?
NO, but only if tourists exercise caution and avoid dangerous areas of Memphis (see list below).
It's true that Memphis has a very high level of violent crime, but it doesn't usually directly affect tourists. In fact, crime in Memphis is primarily linked to gang warfare and drug trafficking, as there are over 100 gangs (13,400 members) operating in the city. See Gangs in Memphis, Tennessee.
Most violent crime occurs in isolated places and in neighborhoods where tourists do not usually go (see list below).
Also, the tourist areas of Memphis are more secure because there is a heavy police presence.
Map of Memphis neighborhoods
Memphis is made up of five main districts: Downtown, Midtown, North Memphis, South Memphis, and East Memphis. Each district is further divided into numerous neighborhoods, a complete list of which can be found at: List of neighborhoods in Memphis
To quickly identify dangerous neighborhoods in Memphis as well as the best areas to stay, here is a map of the main neighborhoods: Google Map
Memphis' Most Dangerous Districts
By cross-referencing and synthesizing data provided on the Internet in 2024, the areas that record the most violent crime are mostly located in the districts of North Memphis and South Memphis.
Memphis Dangerous Neighborhoods
Here is the list (non-exhaustive and unclassified) of the neighborhoods known to be the most dangerous in Memphis. You can click on the links to see their location on Google Maps.
- Downtown
- Midtown
- Raleigh
- Spawn
- Whitehaven
- Binghamton
- Orange Mound
- Hollywood
- Parkway Village
- Westwood
Areas to avoid around Memphis
According to information found on various web media, the highest gang-related crime is located in the following areas:
Downtown Memphis dangerous for tourists?
Downtown Memphis has a very high crime rate (see the areavibes.com ranking ). Paradoxically, Downtown Memphis has a reputation for being a safe area for tourists. This is due to the high number of violent crimes concentrated in certain areas, while petty crime is less prevalent in tourist areas. Indeed, there are numerous police patrols that ensure the safety of tourist areas in downtown Memphis.
Safe Neighborhoods to Stay in Memphis
Fortunately, there are not only dangerous neighborhoods in Memphis! According to real estate agencies and professional sites, the best neighborhoods to stay in Memphis are as follows:
- Binghamton
- Cooper Young
- East Memphis
- germantown
- Bartlett
- Cordova
- Collierville
- Cooper Young
- Overton Square
- Crosstown
- Eds
- Fisherville
These are neighborhoods with lower per capita crime rates than other neighborhoods in Memphis. They are therefore less dangerous than the others.
Best area to stay in Memphis
To visit Memphis and enjoy its lively atmosphere, here's the favorite area for tourists: Downtown Memphis around 100 North Main and Beale Street . See location of this area.
Indeed, it is in this area of Downtown Memphis that there are shops, restaurants, music bars and many nightclubs. But this district is also home to beautiful luxury hotels with breathtaking views of the Mississippi River!
On the other hand, for those who want to sightsee, much of Memphis' cultural heritage can be found Downtown (Civil Rights Museum, House of Blues, Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, New Daisy Theatre, Sun Studio, The Cotton Museum).
Where to stay to visit Memphis?
To visit Memphis, as just described, the Downtown area around 100 North Main and Beale Street is the best option.
If you're looking for a great hotel in a prime location as a tourist, I recommend the Hyatt Regency Baltimore.
Indeed, this hotel is located very close to the Orpheum theater, the Memphis Rock n Soul museum and a 5-minute walk from the famous Beale Street.
Where to stay for an unusual stay in Memphis?
Offering views of downtown Memphis and the Mississippi River, you can stay in the iconic Memphis Pyramid at the Big Cypress Lodge.
In the very chic district of East Memphis, you will enjoy staying in an atypical place since it is a pyramid. The establishment offers two restaurants, an aquarium, a bowling alley, a fitness room, a day spa and a 25-story elevator!
