Is Englewood safe?
Jacksonville, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Englewood as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Englewood
“Go with care. Englewood is an active working-class Southside neighborhood featuring fantastic international food options, but property crime and occasional violent incidents occur near commercial strips. Daytime visits to restaurants and parks are generally trouble-free, while late-night visits require caution.”
Local news regularly reports property crimes, auto burglaries, and occasional violent disputes centered around budget motels and commercial parking lots along Phillips Highway.
About the area
Englewood is a diverse, auto-oriented neighborhood in Jacksonville's Southside, centered around busy thoroughfares like University Boulevard and Phillips Highway. The area combines mid-20th-century residential subdivisions with strip plazas offering some of the city's best Latin American and Middle Eastern cuisine.
- Car-Dependent
- Diverse / Multicultural
- Working-Class
- Strip-Mall Commercial
Walking and biking in Englewood
Walk score: 46/100 · Bike score: 42/100
Englewood lacks dedicated bike lanes on major thoroughfares; there are no bike-share hubs, though Cuba Hunter Park contains internal paved trails.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Diverse dining scene featuring authentic Latin American, Caribbean, and Middle Eastern eateries
- Convenient highway connectivity to Downtown Jacksonville, Southside employment hubs, and I-95
- Access to Cuba Hunter Park, featuring a skate park, gymnasium, and multi-use recreation trails
Cons
- Above-average property crime and vehicle theft rates along primary commercial corridors
- Household poverty rates and vacancy rates exceed those of neighboring suburban Southside communities
- Pedestrian vulnerability due to wide, fast-moving arterial corridors without adequate crossing infrastructure
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately noticeable, largely concentrated near bus shelters, gas stations, and extended-stay motels along Phillips Highway.
What Englewood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are bustling with commuter traffic and commercial activity, offering a safe environment for errands.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons are busy around retail plazas and plazas, remaining generally safe with standard personal awareness.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings see dinner crowds at local restaurants, though poorly lit parking lots and side streets require vigilance.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights carry higher safety risks, with elevated property crime and loitering along commercial arterial stretches.
Transit, parking and getting around
Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) serves the neighborhood via bus lines such as Route 17 and Route 25 along major corridors like University Boulevard and Phillips Highway; no rail service exists.
Parking is almost universally free and plentiful across large surface lots in strip centers, with straightforward residential street parking.
Things to do in Englewood
- Enjoy the boardwalk, skate park, and sports facilities at Cuba Hunter Park
- Sample authentic Latin American bakeries and casual eateries along University Boulevard
- Shop for imported spices, fresh produce, and specialty goods at local international food markets
Local favorites
- El Mofongo · Puerto Rican Restaurant · 4.4★ (1150)Popular local staple serving traditional mofongo, roast pork, and classic Caribbean comfort dishes.
- Tabouleh Cafe · Middle Eastern Restaurant · 4.6★ (610)Casual, well-regarded counter-service eatery serving freshly prepared shawarma, falafel, and kabobs.
- Empanada Llama · Peruvian Restaurant · 4.8★ (430)Acclaimed quick-bite venue known for artisanal Peruvian-style baked empanadas and dipping sauces.
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.