Is Arlington safe?
Jacksonville, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Arlington as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Arlington
“Go with care. Arlington offers scenic river bluffs, educational hubs, and nature preserves, but safety varies noticeably across its expansive footprint. Stick to established residential pockets and daytime attractions, and practice heightened situational awareness around strip malls and commercial corridors after dark.”
Local law enforcement frequently focuses patrols on commercial corridors along Arlington Expressway and University Boulevard in response to recurring vehicle break-ins and occasional retail area disturbances.
About the area
Arlington is a sprawling mid-century suburban sector located just east of Downtown Jacksonville across the St. Johns River. It features a diverse mix of scenic waterfront parks, Jacksonville University's leafy campus, and auto-centric retail corridors with varying socio-economic conditions.
- Suburban
- Mid-Century
- Car-Dependent
- Riverfront Bluffs
Walking and biking in Arlington
Walk score: 41/100 · Bike score: 44/100
No public bike-share system is available, and while quiet neighborhood side streets are rideable, cycling on main thoroughfares like University Boulevard is hazardous due to fast traffic and discontinuous bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Scenic riverside and residential enclaves near Fort Caroline maintain low violent crime rates
- Home to major educational and environmental assets like Jacksonville University and Tree Hill Nature Center
- High household vehicle availability and swift driving connections to Downtown and the beaches
Cons
- Elevated rates of property crime, larceny, and auto break-ins along primary commercial arteries
- Pockets of elevated poverty and older multi-family rental complexes with higher emergency call volumes
- High-speed multi-lane roadways pose significant pedestrian and traffic safety risks
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately noticeable along major commercial corridors, particularly near Arlington Expressway overpasses, bus stops on University Boulevard North, and older shopping centers.
What Arlington is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and peaceful, with local commuters heading out and low safety concerns in residential subdivisions.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active and generally secure around Jacksonville University and main shopping centers, though traffic is brisk.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Commercial strips remain busy with diner traffic, but basic awareness is prudent in large parking lots.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Residential streets are generally quiet, but commercial hubs along University Boulevard and the expressway experience elevated crime risks.
Transit, parking and getting around
Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) operates local bus routes across the area, including Routes 10, 19, and 23, providing direct links to Downtown; there is no light rail or passenger rail service in Arlington.
Parking is abundant and free across virtually all destinations, utilizing large shopping center surface lots, campus parking areas, and park trailheads.
Things to do in Arlington
- Hike scenic trails and view 16th-century history exhibits at Fort Caroline National Memorial
- Explore protected Florida ecosystems and animal encounters along boardwalks at Tree Hill Nature Center
- Walk along the riverfront grounds and athletic complexes of Jacksonville University
Local favorites
- Tree Hill Nature Center · Nature Preserve & Wildlife Sanctuary · 4.7★ (980)A tranquil 50-acre wilderness preserve offering nature trails, a butterfly house, and hands-on animal exhibits.
- Tabouleh Cafe · Mediterranean Restaurant · 4.7★ (670)A low-key strip-mall gem serving fresh shawarma, falafel platters, and authentic Middle Eastern staples.
- Tito's Italian Pizzeria & Ristorante · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (560)A cozy neighborhood fixture renowned for classic New York-style pizzas, calzones, and hearty pasta dishes.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.