Is Hickory Tree safe?
St. Cloud, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Hickory Tree as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Hickory Tree
“Go. Hickory Tree is a safe, family-oriented semi-rural suburb characterized by low crime rates and peaceful residential tracts. While amenities are sparse, standard situational awareness is more than enough for a safe and hassle-free visit.”
About the area
Hickory Tree is an expansive, tranquil community on the eastern outskirts of St. Cloud, combining equestrian acreage with modern master-planned subdivisions. It borders the Alligator Chain of Lakes and provides a quiet, open-air lifestyle removed from the core urban sprawl.
- Suburban / Semi-Rural
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet & Residential
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Hickory Tree
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There is no bike-share service; while subdivision streets are pleasant for casual cycling, arterial roads lack dedicated bike lanes and carry fast-moving vehicular traffic.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates than broader Central Florida averages
- High rate of homeownership and well-maintained residential subdivisions
- Peaceful, low-density environment with convenient access to outdoor recreation and lakes
Cons
- Severe car dependency with minimal sidewalks along arterial roads
- Limited commercial dining, retail, and entertainment options within the immediate neighborhood
- Poor street lighting on rural corridors, creating low visibility at night
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Hickory Tree, with virtually no encampments or panhandling due to its spread-out suburban design.
What Hickory Tree is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with light neighborhood traffic, school buses, and residents walking dogs in master-planned subdivisions.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with steady commuter traffic along Hickory Tree Road and US-192.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Subdued and secure as suburban subdivisions wind down, though unlit side roads require attention while driving.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and tranquil with virtually no pedestrian activity and exceptionally low crime risk.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is virtually nonexistent in Hickory Tree; LYNX bus routes operate closer to central St. Cloud and Kissimmee (Route 10/26), but do not directly serve the interior residential areas.
Parking is abundant and free, with spacious private driveways, residential garages, and wide surface lots at all commercial plazas.
Things to do in Hickory Tree
- Launch a boat or fish on the freshwater waterways connected to the Alligator Chain of Lakes
- Take a nature walk and birdwatch at nearby Lake Runnymede Conservation Area
- Visit local equestrian boarding stables and rural farm stands along the eastern perimeter
Local favorites
- The Catfish Place · Seafood Restaurant · 4.5★ (2320)Historic Old Florida dining fixture serving Southern-fried catfish, gator tail, and hushpuppies.
- Bella Roma Pizzeria & Restaurant · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (790)Laid-back neighborhood parlor offering New York-style pizzas, garlic knots, and baked pastas.
- Mick's Casual Italian · Italian Restaurant · 4.6★ (660)Family-friendly dining room offering hearty pasta plates, hot subs, and classic calzones.
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.