Is Highlands safe?
Jacksonville, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Highlands as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Highlands
“Go with care. Highlands is primarily a working-class residential and commercial suburb on Jacksonville's Northside that does not cater heavily to tourists. While daytime residential streets are relatively calm, commercial strips along Dunn Avenue experience higher property crime and sporadic violent crime, making situational awareness advisable after dark.”
Local news coverage in the broader Northside/Highlands area occasionally highlights property crime, vehicle break-ins, and retail-corridor incidents along major arteries like Dunn Avenue.
About the area
Highlands is an established mid-century neighborhood on Jacksonville's Northside, defined by quiet residential streets, access to tidal waterways like the Broward River, and sprawling strip malls along Dunn Avenue. It functions primarily as a commuter suburb for downtown and industrial Jacksonville rather than an entertainment destination.
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Working-Class
- Residential
Walking and biking in Highlands
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 34/100
There are no bike-share hubs in Highlands, and dedicated bike lanes are minimal, though quiet interior neighborhood streets provide moderate local cycling access.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Predominantly quiet, established single-family residential streets off the main thoroughfares
- Close proximity to coastal waterways, boat ramps, and public park amenities
- Direct access to Interstate 95 and Interstate 295 for quick commutes across Jacksonville
Cons
- Above-average property crime and vehicle theft rates along commercial corridors
- Pockets of lower household income and elevated retail vacancy along older strip malls
- Pedestrian-unfriendly infrastructure with sparse sidewalks and wide, high-speed arterial roads
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low across the interior residential subdivisions, but occasional individuals and panhandling can be observed near major intersections along Dunn Avenue and Monaco Drive.
What Highlands is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Residential streets are calm with residents commuting and school buses running, feeling generally secure.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Commercial traffic increases along Dunn Avenue; retail areas are active and standard suburban precautions apply.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Strip mall parking lots become quieter and dimly lit, requiring heightened vigilance.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are largely deserted; walking alone along main corridors is not recommended due to limited visibility and crime risks.
Transit, parking and getting around
Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) serves the area primarily via Route 1 (North Main) and Route 22, with no light rail or BRT stations in the immediate vicinity.
Parking is abundant and entirely free in private driveways, residential streets, and large retail surface lots throughout the neighborhood.
Things to do in Highlands
- Browse books and attend community events at the Highlands Regional Library
- Play basketball, baseball, or enjoy the playground at Ray Greene Park
- Launch a kayak or boat nearby to explore the scenic waters of the Broward River
Local favorites
- Seafood Express · Seafood Restaurant · 4.3★ (1150)A longstanding neighborhood counter-service joint famous for garlic crab trays and fried fish baskets.
- Famous Sandwiches and Subs · Sandwich Shop · 4.4★ (380)A popular local spot serving hearty Philly cheesesteaks, wings, and classic deli subs.
- Highlands Regional Library · Public Library · 4.7★ (410)A spacious, modern branch of the Jacksonville Public Library offering extensive reading resources and community rooms.
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.