Is Atlantic Highlands safe?
Jacksonville, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Atlantic Highlands as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Atlantic Highlands
“Go. Atlantic Highlands is a quiet, predominantly residential suburban community in East Jacksonville positioned conveniently between the city core and the beaches. While it lacks major tourist attractions and requires a vehicle, it provides a safe, low-crime environment for visitors staying in short-term rentals or passing through.”
About the area
Atlantic Highlands is an established, tree-lined residential neighborhood located just off the Atlantic Boulevard corridor near the Intracoastal Waterway. It is characterized by well-kept single-family homes, quiet cul-de-sacs, and convenient access to retail plazas and coastal recreation.
- Suburban
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Atlantic Highlands
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 40/100
There is no city bike-share program in the area; while residential side streets are pleasant for casual cycling, major thoroughfares lack protected bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are substantially lower than Jacksonville citywide averages.
- Strong socioeconomics marked by high homeownership rates and solid median household incomes.
- Quick 10-to-15 minute driving access to Neptune and Atlantic beaches as well as Intracoastal nature parks.
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent layout with virtually no commercial amenities within easy walking distance inside the neighborhood.
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like unlocked vehicle break-ins typical of suburban corridors.
- Heavy commuter congestion during rush hours along neighboring Atlantic Boulevard.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable factor within the interior residential streets, though occasional individuals may be seen near major retail intersections along Atlantic Boulevard.
What Atlantic Highlands is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with neighborhood residents jogging, walking dogs, and beginning their morning commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet inside residential streets, with steady customer and commercial traffic along outer perimeter roads.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Safe and settled as families return home, offering a secure environment for neighborhood walks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet with little to no foot traffic; exceptionally low risk of street crime, though standard suburban vigilance applies.
Transit, parking and getting around
Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) operates bus Route 10 along Atlantic Boulevard, connecting riders between Downtown Jacksonville and the beaches; there is no passenger rail or BRT service in this sector.
Parking is abundant and hassle-free, with private driveways dominating residential streets and large, free surface lots serving all adjacent commercial shopping plazas.
Things to do in Atlantic Highlands
- Explore the tidal marshes and nature trails at the nearby Castaway Island Preserve.
- Enjoy waterfront dining and Intracoastal views at nearby marinas along Atlantic Boulevard.
- Take a short drive east to spend the afternoon surfing or sunbathing at Atlantic Beach.
Local favorites
- Marker 32 · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (1550)Upscale New American eatery featuring fresh local seafood and picturesque Intracoastal Waterway views.
- Culhane's Irish Pub & Restaurant · Irish Pub · 4.5★ (2420)Lively family-owned pub serving traditional Irish fare, craft beers, and weekend brunch.
- Al's Pizza · Pizza Restaurant · 4.4★ (1180)Longtime local spot known for gourmet hand-tossed pizzas, pasta dishes, and casual family dining.
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.