Is Citrus Grove safe?
Miami, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Citrus Grove as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Citrus Grove
“Go with care. Citrus Grove is a predominantly residential and working-class Hispanic neighborhood bordering Little Havana and the Health District that is generally fine during daytime hours. Visitors should stay alert at night and maintain basic street smarts due to elevated rates of property crime and vehicle break-ins.”
Local coverage frequently highlights periodic traffic and parking enforcement surges during major events at nearby loanDepot park, alongside ongoing city initiatives addressing Miami River water quality.
About the area
Citrus Grove is a dense, culturally rich neighborhood located just north of Little Havana and south of the Miami River. It consists largely of modest single-family homes, low-rise apartment complexes, and neighborhood-serving bodegas and Latin eateries. Its proximity to loanDepot park and the Health District makes it a frequent thoroughfare for sports fans and local workers.
- Working-Class
- Culturally Vibrant
- Dense Urban
- Event-Adjacent
Walking and biking in Citrus Grove
Walk score: 78/100 · Bike score: 64/100
Dedicated bike lanes are sparse within the interior grid, though nearby access routes connect north toward the Miami River Greenway and Health District.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Convenient central location between Little Havana, the Health District, and Downtown Miami
- Close proximity to loanDepot park for major baseball games and stadium concerts
- Strong local Latin culinary scene featuring authentic, budget-friendly Nicaraguan and Cuban eateries
- High transit accessibility with multiple direct Metrobus connections
Cons
- Property crime rates, particularly vehicle burglaries and theft, are higher than national averages
- Economic challenges with a neighborhood poverty rate exceeding 25% and lower median household income
- Pedestrian infrastructure is inconsistent with heavy vehicular traffic along NW 17th Avenue and NW 7th Street
- Limited street lighting on interior residential side streets after dark
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present along primary commercial corridors such as NW 17th Avenue and under overpasses near the Miami River, but large encampments are generally uncommon within interior residential blocks.
What Citrus Grove is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and safe with residents commuting, school traffic, and local bakeries bustling with coffee seekers.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy and functional with standard commercial activity and steady neighborhood foot traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Generally manageable along major avenues and near the stadium, though situational awareness is recommended on side streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dimly lit on residential blocks with diminished foot traffic; walking alone late at night is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Miami-Dade Transit operates extensive bus service through the area, with major lines including Route 7, 11, and 17 providing frequent connections to the Culmer and Civic Center Metrorail stations located roughly 1 mile away.
Residential street parking is tight and frequently congested; event-day restrictions and steep paid parking rates are enforced during loanDepot park games.
Things to do in Citrus Grove
- Attend a Miami Marlins game or major entertainment event at nearby loanDepot park
- Relax and enjoy waterfront greenery along the Miami River at Sewell Park
- Embark on a self-guided food crawl sampling Central American fritangas and Cuban bakeries along NW 17th Avenue
Local favorites
- Fritanga Caña Brava · Nicaraguan Restaurant · 4.4★ (1250)A popular, no-frills cafeteria serving generous portions of traditional Nicaraguan carne asada, gallo pinto, and fried cheese.
- El Rey De Las Fritas · Cuban Restaurant · 4.5★ (1820)A legendary local chain outpost famed for its classic Cuban-style chorizo burgers topped with shoestring potatoes.
- Panadería San Judas Tadeo · Bakery · 4.6★ (310)A bustling neighborhood panadería offering fresh Latin pastries, Cuban coffee, and savory breakfast sandwiches.
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.