Is Cedar Hills safe?
Jacksonville, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Cedar Hills as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Cedar Hills
“Go with care. Cedar Hills is a quiet, primarily residential Westside suburb that is generally unremarkable and safe for standard daytime visits. However, higher-than-average rates of property crime and commercial corridor theft along Blanding and Wilson Boulevards warrant basic situational awareness, especially after dark.”
Recent Westside Jacksonville police reports frequently highlight opportunistic vehicle burglaries and catalytic converter thefts along the major commercial corridors.
About the area
Cedar Hills is an established, mid-century suburban neighborhood located on the Westside of Jacksonville, characterized by mature oak trees and modest ranch-style homes. It is primarily a residential community with basic strip mall retail and quick-service dining along its major bounding thoroughfares.
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Mid-Century Residential
- Working-Class
Walking and biking in Cedar Hills
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 42/100
There are no public bike-share programs in the neighborhood, and dedicated bike lanes are scarce on busy arterials, though quiet interior streets are ridable.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Established residential streets with relatively low daytime violent crime compared to inner Westside pockets
- Affordable neighborhood dining and accessible grocery shopping options
- High rate of personal vehicle ownership providing easy access to I-295 and downtown Jacksonville
Cons
- Elevated property crime and vehicle break-in rates compared to national suburban averages
- Lower median household income and modest pockets of housing distress or deferred maintenance
- Pedestrian safety is poor along high-speed arterial roads like Blanding Boulevard
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low across interior residential roads, but panhandling and unhoused individuals are occasionally seen near major intersections and bus stops along Blanding Boulevard.
What Cedar Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet as residents commute, with light residential activity and school transit.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy commercial traffic along Blanding and Wilson Boulevards, but residential side streets remain calm and easy to navigate.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Generally calm though strip mall parking lots experience increased loitering and require standard caution.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Subdued and dark on residential streets due to sparse street lighting; walking alone is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), serving the area primarily via bus routes 30 and 31 along Blanding and Wilson Boulevards; Jacksonville has no rail service in this district.
Parking is abundant and free, with large surface parking lots at all commercial plazas and unrestricted private driveways or street parking across residential neighborhoods.
Things to do in Cedar Hills
- Visit the nearby Ringhaver Park for nature trails, boardwalks over the Ortega River, and launch points for kayaking.
- Bowl a few frames or play arcade games at Batt Family Fun Center on Cassat Avenue just north of the neighborhood.
- Browse regional staples and budget-friendly finds at the Cedar Hills Shopping Center.
Local favorites
- The Sheik Sandwiches and Subs · Fast Food / Deli · 4.4★ (780)A long-standing Jacksonville staple famous for hearty pita pocket sandwiches, steak specials, and sweet tea.
- El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (510)Casual, authentic neighborhood Mexican eatery serving generous portions of street tacos and fajitas.
- Rowe's IGA Supermarket · Grocery Store · 4.1★ (1150)A reliable neighborhood grocery anchor known for its well-stocked meat counter and affordable staples.
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.