Is East Durrs safe?
Fort Lauderdale, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates East Durrs as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on East Durrs
“Go with care. East Durrs is a historic residential neighborhood just north of the Sistrunk corridor undergoing community revitalization, but it still experiences above-average violent and property crime rates compared to broader Broward County. Visitors are generally fine during daylight hours for targeted cultural or local dining visits, but exploring unfamiliar side streets after dark is not recommended.”
City and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) initiatives have brought targeted infrastructure upgrades and housing improvement grants along the Sistrunk and Sunrise corridors.
About the area
East Durrs is a predominantly residential and historic Black neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale situated north of Sistrunk Boulevard and south of Sunrise Boulevard. The area features a mix of mid-century single-family homes, modest multi-family units, and ongoing city-backed community redevelopment projects. While conveniently close to Downtown Fort Lauderdale and the MASS District, economic challenges and higher crime indices remain factors.
- Historic
- Residential
- Urban Core Adjacent
- Developing
Walking and biking in East Durrs
Walk score: 62/100 · Bike score: 58/100
Shared bike lanes and marked routes exist along sections of Sistrunk Boulevard, though direct connections to protected regional greenways require navigating busy multi-lane roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Close proximity to downtown Fort Lauderdale, FATVillage, and the MASS District arts hubs
- Active CRA investments delivering upgraded streetscapes and local business grants
- High level of household transit access and quick connectivity to major thoroughfares like Sunrise Boulevard
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates remain significantly higher than Broward County averages
- Elevated poverty rate and lower median household incomes relative to the metro area
- Limited tourist-oriented infrastructure and retail within the residential core itself
- Occasional reports of late-night street disturbances and vehicle burglaries
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low to moderate within the residential interior but increases slightly near major intersections along Sunrise Boulevard and near downtown service hubs.
What East Durrs is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Relatively quiet with residents commuting and municipal services active; generally calm for walking on main corridors.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Moderate foot and vehicle traffic with local commerce along major bounding streets; stick to main routes.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Street activity picks up along commercial borders; situational awareness is advised as daylight fades.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet residential streets with low lighting in places; walking alone after dark is not advised due to safety risks.
Transit, parking and getting around
Broward County Transit (BCT) provides bus services throughout the area, primarily via Routes 9, 36, and 81, with Fort Lauderdale Brightline and Central Bus Station located roughly one mile southeast.
Free or low-cost residential street parking is common across the neighborhood, though visitors should lock vehicles and avoid leaving valuables in plain sight.
Things to do in East Durrs
- Visit the nearby African-American Research Library and Cultural Center along Sistrunk Boulevard
- Explore local culinary spots and cultural heritage sites in the historic Northwest district
- Take a short trip south into the MASS District and Flagler Village for galleries and creative spaces
Local favorites
- Tom Jenkins' Bar-B-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.5★ (3200)A legendary Fort Lauderdale counter-service staple serving classic Southern pit-smoked ribs, chicken, and sides nearby.
- Smitty's Old Fashioned Bar-B-Que · Soul Food & Barbecue · 4.3★ (210)Neighborhood favorite dishing out hearty soul food plates, ribs, and mac and cheese along the corridor.
- Sistrunk Marketplace & Brewery · Food Hall · 4.4★ (1150)A nearby modern culinary hub and brewery featuring diverse food stalls, events, and local craft beers.
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.