Is Highland Park safe?
Winter Haven, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Highland Park as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Highland Park
“Go. Highland Park is a peaceful, scenic, and very quiet residential enclave set along citrus groves and historic lakefronts in the greater Winter Haven and Lake Wales area. Violent crime is extremely rare, making it a relaxing and secure spot to visit, though you will need a personal vehicle to get around.”
About the area
Highland Park is a historic, secluded community characterized by lush canopy trees, tranquil lakes, and Mediterranean-influenced architecture. It offers a calm, classic Florida atmosphere removed from urban congestion while remaining close to central Polk County attractions.
- Quiet & Residential
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Lakefront
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Highland Park
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There is no bike-share program, and roads lack dedicated bike lanes, though local residential streets see low vehicular traffic suitable for casual biking.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are substantially lower than national and state averages
- High rate of homeownership and well-maintained private properties
- Serene lakefront setting with low traffic and minimal noise pollution
Cons
- Virtually no commercial amenities within the residential core, requiring driving for dining and essentials
- Very limited public lighting along residential streets at night
- No direct public transit service within the immediate neighborhood
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in this secluded residential enclave, with any support services or visible encampments located several miles away in larger commercial centers of Winter Haven and Lake Wales.
What Highland Park is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with morning dog walkers and joggers around the lake loop feeling completely safe.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet with minimal neighborhood traffic, making it a safe and calm residential environment.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential winding down with sunset views over the water and zero noticeable street commotion.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and secluded with sparse streetlights, feeling eerie if walking alone despite the very low crime risk.
Transit, parking and getting around
Citrus Connection (Polk County Transit) operates bus routes along US-27 and SR-60 nearby, but there are no direct bus routes or passenger rail stations serving the immediate Highland Park neighborhood.
Parking is abundant and free; there are no metered spots or parking garages, with parking primarily accommodated via private driveways and quiet residential street edges.
Things to do in Highland Park
- Take a scenic drive or walk around the historic lakefront loop of Lake Amoret
- Visit nearby Bok Tower Gardens to tour the historic estate and listen to the carillon bells
- Explore the historic Casa de Josefina and the surrounding citrus country landscape
Local favorites
- Bok Tower Gardens Blue Palmetto Cafe · Cafe & Outdoor Dining · 4.6★ (380)A relaxed outdoor cafe situated nearby in the botanical gardens offering fresh salads, wraps, and beer or wine.
- Manny's Original Chophouse · Steakhouse · 4.5★ (4350)A lively, classic regional steakhouse known for juicy cuts, endless salad bowls, and hearty sides.
- Grove Roots Brewing Company · Craft Brewery · 4.8★ (920)A popular, spacious local taproom and beer garden celebrating Polk County's citrus heritage with artisanal brews.
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.