Is Jacksonville Florida Safe? Everything You Need To Know In 2023!

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Are you planning a trip to the south and are wondering if Jacksonville, Florida safe?

Safety is a big consideration for a trip, so it’s a good question!

Located on the northern coast of Florida, Jacksonville sees over 20 million visitors per year.

From locals to travelers, it can be tough to understand whether a large city will be safe.

Compared to other cities, Jacksonville does have a fairly high crime rate. But that doesn’t automatically turn it into an unsafe city.

From traveling with kids to by yourself, you’ll want to know the safest places to go, where to avoid, and some tips for keeping yourself out of harm’s way.

In this post, I’ll cover some of the top considerations for your trip to Jacksonville, so you can visit with confidence. 

Is Jacksonville Florida Safe For Visitors?

Because of nicknames that Jacksonville has been given, such as ‘Florida’s Murder Capital’ and the high crime rate, many visitors have dubbed it as unsafe.

But these things shouldn’t automatically discount the city, because it is a fantastic place to visit.

With a bustling downtown, access to the Atlantic Ocean, and plenty of tourist attractions, it’s a favorite spot for travelers.

Although Jacksonville has a higher crime rate than many other cities in Florida, if you avoid certain areas and stick to the safer parts of the city, you can be safe on your visit.

According to Neighborhood Scout, Jacksonville as an average crime rate of 34 per 1,000 residents, with property crimes being the highest occurring.

But violent crimes occasionally happen as well.

Things such as pickpocketing or petty theft are more likely to happen since the city sees a lot of tourists, but it’s less likely if you’re vigilant and stay in safe neighborhoods.

Another thing to consider during any visit to Florida is natural disasters, which can also deem a location unsafe.

Hurricanes are common in Florida during hurricane season, which takes place from June 1st through November 30th.

It’s very important to know what to do during these disasters, and even avoid visiting during this timeframe.

The summer heat in Florida can also be dangerous for visitors and locals if you aren’t careful.

With such high temperatures, it’s best to stay out of the sun on really hot days, and always have sun protection. 

Is Jacksonville Safe For Families?

When you’re traveling with kids, one of your top priorities is likely safety.

Because you always want to keep the little ones safe, it’s good to know whether or not Jacksonville is safe.

Overall, the city of Jacksonville is safe for families, and is a great spot to bring your kids on a vacation!

Jacksonville is a large tourist spot in Florida and offers a lot to visitors from endless beaches to amusement parks and fun activities. 

Although it has a higher crime rate, when you’re going for family-friendly activities, you’ll be far away from the riskier areas of the city.

This makes it much easier to keep your kids safe.

And of course, it’s best to avoid walking around at night when you have little ones because after the sun goes down, any large city becomes more dangerous. 

Is It Safe For Solo Travelers?

Traveling alone always comes with the risk of being more vulnerable to unsafe situations, but that doesn’t make it completely unsafe to travel somewhere.

With Jacksonville’s high crime rate, it is recommended that you travel with someone, rather than alone, but sometimes that just isn’t possible.

Because it’s a popular tourist destination, there are many places that you can visit without having to worry about crime.

And during the day, traveling solo is much easier than at night!

So if you’re traveling solo and are wondering if Jacksonville is safe for you, then be sure to follow a few safety precautions:

Avoid walking alone after dark, and only use trusted rideshare companies, such as Lyft or Uber.

Also avoid letting any strangers know that you’re traveling alone, as this can put you in a vulnerable position.

And always listen to your gut, because it’s usually right!

Is Jacksonville Safe At Night?

Just like in any large city, crime and danger increase after dark.

So while it’s tough to say that Jacksonville is safe at night, you can keep yourself safe by doing a few things:

Try to stay in well-populated and well-trafficked areas like Downtown Jacksonville.

And it’s also best to always be with someone else and avoid walking alone at night.

Always let someone you trust know where you’ll be, and stay out of risky areas.

What Part Of Jacksonville Is The Riskiest Or Most Dangerous?

There are a few neighborhoods of Jacksonville that are particularly known for their crime, so avoiding them is best.

Springfield

Located just a short distance from Downtown Jacksonville makes Springfield one of the riskier parts of the city.

It’s one of the worst parts of the city for crime, and you might find things like theft, assault, and more during a visit.

As a tourist, it’s best to stay out of this area and stick to more well-trafficked neighborhoods.

29th & Chase

According to Area Vibes, 29th & Chase is the most dangerous area in Jacksonville and is one of the main reasons that people wonder is Jacksonville safe.

A majority of the crime happens here, with over 400% more crimes taking place here than in other neighborhoods.

29th & Chase is largely residential, so it’s easy as a tourist to avoid.

Mid-Westside

Located just south of 29th & Chase is Mid-Westside, which is another neighborhood that is best avoided by tourists and travelers.

This residential area tends to have a high crime rate, and because it has a smaller population, the high crime rate is concerning.

Property and violent crimes here are on the rise, and to stay safe, visitors should avoid them.

What Part Of Jacksonville Is The Safest?

When visiting a city, it’s best to stay in the safest neighborhoods. Here are the best and safest neighborhoods in Jacksonville Florida. 

Jacksonville Beach

Located right along the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, Jacksonville Beach is a beautiful neighborhood, featuring lots of resorts and attractions for visitors.

With easy public access to the city’s main beach, oceanfront parks, piers, private resorts and hotels, and amusement parks, this neighborhood is a thriving tourist destination.

The crime here is low, and because there are so many tourists and spots for visitors, it sees fewer problems than other neighborhoods do.

Avondale

Found inland from the ocean along the St. Johns River is the Avondale neighborhood.

Being close to Downtown makes this neighborhood popular.

Avondale is widely residential with many parks to stop at and spend some time outdoors.

You’ll see fewer tourists here, and therefore less traffic and less crime.

Riverside

Just next door to Avondale is the Riverside neighborhood, also found on the St. Johns River.

And being even closer to Downtown Jacksonville makes it a sought-after place for visitors to stay.

In comparison to Avondale, you’ll start to see fewer residences and more hotels, restaurants, and businesses in Riverside.

It’s a large neighborhood that is a nice place to stay if you want to be near Downtown but don’t want to deal with the parking and traffic of the actual Downtown area.

Ortega Forest 

Ortega and Ortega Forest are located even more inland and along the eastern shores of the St. Johns River.

These neighborhoods feature a lot of residential areas and parks to spend time outdoors.

You can also spend some time on both the St. Johns and the Ortega River.

Crime rates are lower here, and you don’t have to worry as much about tourists, since it’s away from downtown.

Is Jacksonville’s Crime Rate High?

Compared to other cities in Florida, Jacksonville does have a fairly high crime rate, with about 34 in every 1,000 residents becoming a victim of crime.

Property crimes are the most common, with 27 of those 34 being property, and 7 of them being violent crimes.

This rate is higher than both the national average and the average in all of Florida.

Unfortunately, the rate of murders and violent crimes happening in Duval County where Jacksonville is located are on the rise. 

A few neighborhoods with the worst crime rates include 29th & Chase, Mid-Westside, Springfield, and East Jacksonville.

Is It Safe To Swim In Jacksonville?

Yes, there are many beaches, such as Jacksonville Beach, that are open to the public and safe to swim at during your visit to the city.

Of course, there are always risks that come with swimming anywhere, but especially in the ocean, so understand them before you go!

A few risks include shark attacks (although they’re rare, they do happen!), jellyfish, stingrays, and other marine life, as well as rip currents and drowning.

There are also alligators in Jacksonville, but they tend to be in rivers and swamps, so if you’re out in the ocean or in a populated area, you likely won’t see one.

Jacksonville Safety Tips

There are always ways that you can better ensure that your family and yourself stay safe during travel.

Here are a few of the top ways to stay out of harm’s way.

1. Avoid walking alone at night.  Everything becomes riskier at night, so sticking to walking around during the day is your best bet.

2. Stick with a group of people. Whenever possible, travel with other people that you trust.

3. Don’t carry around valuables. They will make you a bigger target for robbery and theft.

4. Know when hurricane season is and what to do if there’s a natural disaster.

5. Be aware of your surroundings.  Always stay alert, watch your belongings, and be cautious of anyone suspicious.

6. Avoid risky neighborhoods.  Know where the most crime takes place and stay out of those areas.

7. Trust your gut!  One of the top recommendations for safety is to trust your gut.  Usually, it’s right, and you can avoid bad situations by just listening to your intuition.

Wrap-Up: Is Jacksonville, FL Safe?

If you’re planning a visit to Florida, then you may be wondering, is Jacksonville safe?

This major city has a lot to offer, but safety is a top consideration for travel!

Overall, the city of Jacksonville Florida is safe and offers a lot to visitors from beaches to amusement parks.

For solo travelers, families, and everyone in between, Jacksonville makes for a fantastic place to plan a Florida vacation.