Is Highland City safe?
Lakeland, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Highland City as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Highland City
“Go. Highland City is a calm, predominantly residential suburban community situated south of Lakeland along US 98. It experiences low rates of violent crime, making it a generally safe and quiet stop for visitors exploring the greater Polk County area.”
About the area
Highland City is an unincorporated census-designated community characterized by suburban subdivisions, lakefront pockets, and a commercial strip along Highway 98. It offers a slower pace of life with easy vehicle access to regional trails and neighboring Lakeland amenities.
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Highland City
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 45/100
Highland City connects directly to the 7.7-mile Fort Fraser Trail running parallel to US 98, though there are no municipal bike-share programs available in the area.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are low and well below state and national urban averages.
- Direct access to the Fort Fraser Trail for outdoor recreation.
- Stable, family-oriented residential neighborhoods with high vehicle availability.
Cons
- Occasional property crimes and vehicular break-ins occur along commercial parking areas.
- Highway 98 traffic can be fast-moving and hazardous for pedestrians.
- Pockets of aging manufactured housing stock show higher economic vulnerability.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in Highland City, with occasional individuals seen near busy intersections along US 98, while most support shelters and services are based in downtown Lakeland.
What Highland City is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe with commuters heading out and recreational joggers on local residential roads and trails.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active along the US 98 commercial corridor with steady shopping traffic and safe neighborhood conditions.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet across suburban subdivisions, with typical family dining traffic around local restaurants.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and low activity on side streets; generally safe, though pedestrian activity along the highway is not recommended due to limited lighting.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by Citrus Connection (Lakeland Area Mass Transit District), with Route 22XL and Route 30 providing limited bus service along the US 98 corridor; there is no passenger rail service.
Parking is completely free and widely available across surface strip mall lots, residential driveways, and trailheads.
Things to do in Highland City
- Bike, skate, or jog along the paved, scenic Fort Fraser Trail extending toward Bartow.
- Enjoy recreational fishing or relaxing near Lake Hancock's western shores.
- Play a round of golf at the nearby Cleveland Heights Golf Course just minutes north.
Local favorites
- Ovation Bistro & Bar · Barbecue & American Restaurant · 4.6★ (2300)Popular local eatery serving wood-fired smoked ribs, steaks, and craft cocktails.
- San Jose Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.4★ (1150)Casual neighborhood staple offering traditional Mexican platters, fajitas, and margaritas.
- Uncle Nick's Italian Deli, Bagels and Catering · Deli & Bagel Shop · 4.7★ (1400)New York-style deli known for fresh-baked bagels, subs, and authentic Italian deli meats.
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.
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