Is Highland Beach safe?
Highland Beach, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Highland Beach as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Highland Beach
“Go. Highland Beach is an exceptionally safe, serene, and affluent coastal enclave nestled between Boca Raton and Delray Beach. Visitors will encounter virtually zero violent crime, very quiet residential streets, and well-patrolled scenic stretches along State Road A1A.”
About the area
Highland Beach is an exclusive, mostly residential barrier island town spanning nearly three miles along the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. It is defined by luxury mid- and high-rise condominiums, private estates, and lush tropical scenery. Because it has almost no commercial zoning, visitors come primarily for private coastal stays, scenic oceanfront cycling, and quiet retreats.
- Affluent
- Quiet & Residential
- Coastal Scenic
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Highland Beach
Walk score: 18/100 · Bike score: 52/100
There are designated bike lanes along State Road A1A popular among long-distance cyclists, but there are no public bike-share stations or dedicated off-road greenway trails within municipal borders.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- One of the lowest violent and property crime rates in Florida, bolstered by a dedicated municipal police department.
- Very high median household income exceeding $130,000 and pristine, well-maintained residential properties.
- Quiet oceanfront corridor with scenic views along State Road A1A and minimal through-traffic congestion outside rush hours.
Cons
- Strictly residential with almost no commercial businesses, retail districts, or public beach access points.
- Extremely car-dependent with virtually no public parking facilities for visitors.
- High seasonal vacancy rates during summer months lead to a very quiet, isolated feel.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Highland Beach, and there are no encampments, panhandling, or homeless shelters in the municipality.
What Highland Beach is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant, populated by local joggers, dog walkers, and road cyclists along A1A.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and sunny with light residential traffic and very high personal safety throughout the corridor.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and upscale, with residents walking along private community paths and minimal ambient noise.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and tranquil with empty streets and frequent, highly visible local police patrols.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is virtually nonexistent within the town; Palm Tran provides no direct regular bus routes along this stretch of A1A, and the nearest Tri-Rail commuter stations are in Delray Beach and Boca Raton, both 10-15 minutes away by car.
Public parking is nearly impossible to find because almost all street parking is strictly prohibited along A1A, requiring visitors to use guest parking at residences or valet parking at the Delray Sands Resort.
Things to do in Highland Beach
- Dine oceanfront with unobstructed Atlantic views on the patio at Latitudes Restaurant.
- Cycle along the scenic State Road A1A coastal corridor between Boca Raton and Delray Beach.
- Attend a community lecture or enjoy the reading patio at the Highland Beach Library.
Local favorites
- Latitudes Ocean Grill · Seafood Restaurant · 4.2★ (1150)Upscale coastal dining inside the Delray Sands Resort featuring fresh seafood and oceanfront patio views.
- Delray Sands Resort · Resort Hotel · 4.4★ (1420)Tranquil beachfront resort offering boutique oceanfront accommodations directly on Highland Beach's coastline.
- Highland Beach Library · Public Library · 4.8★ (45)Modern oceanfront community library offering reading rooms, cultural events, and community arts exhibits.
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.