Is Blackburn safe?
Florence, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Blackburn as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Blackburn
“Go. Blackburn is a calm, predominantly residential neighborhood in Florence offering a tranquil setting with low violent crime. Visitors will find a safe suburban atmosphere, though standard precautions regarding locking vehicle doors are always advisable.”
About the area
Blackburn is a quiet residential neighborhood situated in northern Florence, Alabama, characterized by mature trees, modest single-family homes, and community park space. It serves primarily as a peaceful residential pocket with quick vehicular access to the shopping and dining corridors along Florence Boulevard.
- Quiet / Residential
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Suburban
Walking and biking in Blackburn
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 36/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes or bike-share programs in Blackburn, though interior residential streets have low speed limits suitable for neighborhood cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low violent crime rates compared to state and regional averages
- Stable single-family residential character with well-maintained properties
- Convenient driving access to regional dining, retail, and recreational hubs
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crime such as unlocked vehicle theft
- Heavily car-dependent layout with minimal pedestrian infrastructure
- Limited street lighting across some secondary residential lanes
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in residential Blackburn, with community assistance and shelter services situated closer to downtown Florence.
What Blackburn is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant with residents commuting, walking dogs, or jogging through the neighborhood.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Low-traffic and calm, feeling very safe for neighborhood strolls and residential visits.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential atmosphere as families return home; safe for evening walks along lighted streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very quiet with almost no foot traffic; streets are generally safe but poorly lit in sections.
Transit, parking and getting around
Florence is served by NACOLG's Shoals Transit demand-response service, but there is no fixed-route bus or rail transit system operating in Blackburn.
Parking is straightforward and free, with ample driveway space and unrestricted curbside parking throughout residential streets.
Things to do in Blackburn
- Enjoy outdoor recreation and casual walking paths at Blackburn Park
- Visit the nearby Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House located a short drive south
- Explore local retail shopping and regional eateries along the Florence Boulevard corridor
Local favorites
- Bunyan's Bar-B-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.6★ (720)A long-running Florence staple known for traditional pit barbecue, unique hot slaw, and Southern sides.
- Dale's Restaurant · Southern Restaurant · 4.4★ (890)Classic regional dining venue serving steaks, seafood, and comforting home-cooked plates.
- Rivertown Coffee Company · Coffee Shop · 4.7★ (1150)Popular local specialty cafe in the nearby central district serving espresso drinks and baked goods.
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.