Jacksonville is a beautiful city in Northeastern Florida and has a population of 949,611, making it the 12th most populous city in the United States. It is also the largest city by area in all of the United States. Jacksonville is known for its gorgeous weather, beautiful real estate, and high quality of living. But is Jacksonville, Florida, a safe place to live? If you are considering moving to the area, you may be asking yourself this question.
The crime rate in Jacksonville is high overall, but there are many safe places to live in the area. Jacksonville is a huge city, so there will naturally be higher levels of crime. Most of this crime, however, is concentrated in a few areas where there are higher levels of gang and nightlife activity. Many areas of Jacksonville see little to no crime at all.
Here is our ultimate guide to the safest neighborhoods in Jacksonville, FL, as well as an overview of the crime rates in the city.
The overall crime rate in Jacksonville, FL is high. According to the FBI, the Jacksonville, FL crime rate is 3,569 crimes per 100,000 people. This is 65.8% higher than the state average and 52.1% higher than the national average. The violent crime rate is 698 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 82% higher than the state average and 80% higher than the national average. The property crime rate is 2,971, which is 62.3% higher than the state average and 46.6% higher than the national average.
Although crime in Jacksonville is an issue, the city is taking strides to make the area safer for its citizens. In 2021, the violent crime in Jacksonville dropped nearly 28%, and the sheriff of Jacksonville recently outlined a plan to keep these numbers trending downwards. It is also important to remember that most of the crime in Jacksonville is concentrated in certain parts of the city, rather than throughout the entire area.
If you are interested in learning more about the crime in Jacksonville, then you can check out the interactive Jacksonville crime map on the Sheriff’s Office website.
When it comes to safe neighborhoods in Jacksonville, FL, Eagle Bend is at the top of the list. Eagle Bend is great for people who want to be outside of the hustle and bustle of the city. This neighborhood is completely surrounded by the Seton Creek Historic Preserve, allowing you to walk out your back door and hike for miles! This quiet area is popular among retirees and small families.
Eagle Bend is also one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Jacksonville, Florida. It is situated away from the center of the city, which allows the real estate prices to drop. Although it is on the outskirts of the city, it is only 18.9 miles to the city center. Eagle Bend is also only 9.7 miles away from Jacksonville International Airport.
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Isle of Palms is one of the safest Jacksonville neighborhoods. This gorgeous neighborhood has some of the best waterfront homes in all of Jacksonville, which is why the median home price is on the higher end. Mayo Clinic, one of the world’s best hospitals, is situated on the southwest end of Isle of Palms. This makes it a popular choice for both Mayo Clinic employees and those who need year-round medical care.
Isle of Palms is 3.8 miles away from Jacksonville Beach, so there is always something to do here. There are many incredible bars and restaurants to check out as well as popular tourist attractions such as Adventure Landing and Castaway Island Preserve.
Ortega Forest is one of the safest areas in Jacksonville, FL for families with young children. This neighborhood is very walkable and far away from any major freeways or busy roads. Ortega Forest is close to some of the area’s top-rated schools, such as John Stockton Elementary School and Ortega Elementary School.
Ortega Forest is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Jacksonville and contains many historic homes and buildings. The riverfront in Ortega Forest is home to various beautiful multi-million dollar mansions dating back to the early 1900s. The Ortega Forest real estate market is booming. Houses sit on the market for an average of 18 days and prices are up 125.7% compared to last year.
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If you love Atlantic Beach, then look no further than Girvin. Girvin is one of the safest places to live in Jacksonville, FL, and is full of exciting things to do. The Intercoastal Waterway separates Girvin from the popular area of Atlantic Beach. Residents in Girvin can easily hop on Atlantic Boulevard and make the 5.7-mile trip to the beach, where they can enjoy endless hours of fun in the sun. This area is popular among young couples and singles looking for an active nightlife scene.
Girvin is also famous for its incredible Christmas light display during the month of December. Drive down Girvin Road and experience one of the largest Christmas light displays in the Jacksonville area. The entire neighborhood decorates their home with stunning lights as a part of this 15 year long tradition!
Situated to the Northwest of Girvin, Fort Caroline Shores is one of the safest neighborhoods in Jacksonville, FL. This neighborhood has it all, from shopping to nature to swimming opportunities. Fort Caroline Shores is popular among retirees due to its peaceful nature and quiet streets. This picturesque neighborhood is close to popular attractions such as Hidden Hills Golf Club and Fort Caroline National Memorial. You can also explore nature in Fort Caroline Shores, as it is home to the Timucuan Preserve. Fort Caroline Shores is about 14 miles from Downtown Jacksonville.
Fort Caroline Shores is known for its affordable real estate. The average home price in Fort Caroline Shores is $355,000. This is slightly lower than the national average of $383,249. Real estate in Fort Caroline Shores largely consists of ranch-style homes that are perfect for couples or small families. The price of homes in Fort Caroline shores is down 0.7% from last year, and homes are on the market for an average of 78 days.
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When looking for safe areas of Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville Farms Terrace makes the top of the list. Jacksonville Farms Terrace is located 15.1 miles west of Downtown Jacksonville and is one of the city’s most up-and-coming neighborhoods. Chaffee Road, which runs right through the center of Jacksonville Farms Terrace, is home to many family-owned businesses, cafes, and restaurants for residents to enjoy. There are many exciting attractions nearby, such as the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Sal Taylor Creek Preserve, and New World Sports Complex.
Jacksonville Farms Terrace is home to the Amazon Fulfillment Center, which brought nearly 2,000 new jobs to the city in 2018. As such, the neighborhood is popular among Amazon employees. The area is incredibly walkable, making it easy for employees to commute to work on foot.
If you are moving to Jacksonville with teenage children, then Jacksonville Farms Terrace could be a great choice for you. There are many incredible high schools in the area, including San Jose Cecil Early College, Bishop John Snyder High School, and Jacksonville Christian Academy. When your child graduates from high school, they can check out nearby colleges such as North Florida Baptist College and Saint Leo University.
With a crime rate that is 81% lower than the Jacksonville average, Saint Johns Bluff is one of the safest areas in Jacksonville, FL. Saint Johns Bluff is named after the cliff of the same name, located on the northern end of the neighborhood. The neighborhood is bordered by the St. Johns River, where many beautiful and expensive waterfront homes are situated. As you get further inland, however, you can easily find more affordable homes in the neighborhood. These homes are still gorgeous and sit along walkable, lamp-lined streets.
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There are not many shops or restaurants in Saint Johns Bluff, making it the perfect area for people who want a quieter living experience. Saint Johns Bluff is popular among families with small children, as parents don’t have to worry about too many cars driving by or tourists walking around the area. It is also close to many popular daycare centers, such as Hidden Hills Learning Tree and Arlington Kindercare.
You can’t go wrong with the neighborhood of Cobblestone. Cobblestone is one of the safest neighborhoods in Jacksonville, FL, and has something for everyone. If you have children, you are close to some of the best daycare centers and schools in Jacksonville, such as Kindercare Learning Centers, Grace Lutheran School, and Little Britches Academy. If you are moving to Jacksonville with a furry friend, then you will have access to the popular Ed Austin Regional Dog Park.
This area is incredibly walkable, and a 10-minute walk in any direction will give you access to parks, shopping, and restaurants. Cobblestone has options for both renters and buyers. The neighborhood is home to many amazing apartment complexes, such as Hillwood Pointe Apartments and Portofino Club. The area also has some of the most affordable real estate in Jacksonville, with an average home price of $278,990. You will get a great value for your purchase in Cobblestone, as most homes are large with multiple bedrooms.
If you want to learn more about the location of the safest neighborhoods in Jacksonville, then check out the map below.
Although the overall crime rate in Jacksonville is high, you should not let this scare you. There are many incredible places to live in the area that are safe for you and your family. If you are thinking about moving to Jacksonville, then give Skinner Moving & Storage a call today at (904) 730-1545 to discuss your move and receive a free quote. The best Jacksonville movers are here to help you every step of the way!
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