Is Jacksonville University safe?
Jacksonville, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Jacksonville University as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Jacksonville University
“Go with care. The Jacksonville University campus itself is secure, picturesque, and actively patrolled, making it quite safe for visitors attending events or touring the grounds. However, the surrounding Arlington corridors experience elevated rates of property crime and opportunistic street crime, so stick to main campus areas after dark.”
Local community initiatives and university investments continue under the Renew Arlington CRA to revitalize commercial corridors along University Boulevard North.
About the area
The Jacksonville University neighborhood is anchored by a scenic, oak-shaded private university campus set along the eastern banks of the St. Johns River in Arlington. Outside the university gates, the area transitions quickly into aging suburban commercial strips, rental apartment complexes, and modest mid-century residential streets.
- College Campus
- Riverfront
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Jacksonville University
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 48/100
Biking is easy and safe on internal campus paths, but there are no dedicated protected greenways connecting the campus to the broader Jacksonville trail network.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Active 24/7 campus security and emergency call boxes across university grounds
- Scenic riverfront access and well-maintained athletic and arts facilities
- Moderate cost of living with ample suburban parking
- Lower violent crime profile on the gated university property relative to the broader Arlington district
Cons
- Surrounding Arlington neighborhood exhibits above-average property crime and auto break-ins
- Subdued retail and dining options directly adjacent to campus, requiring vehicle travel for amenities
- Pockets of elevated poverty and commercial vacancy along nearby sections of University Boulevard North
- Poor pedestrian infrastructure along high-speed suburban arterials outside campus
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is generally minimal on campus grounds due to private security patrols, but occasional panhandling and individuals experiencing homelessness can be observed along the commercial bus stops on University Boulevard North.
What Jacksonville University is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with students, faculty, and joggers navigating the campus pathways and riverfront safely.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy with standard collegiate activity, sports practices, and moderate traffic on University Boulevard.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet on campus with standard security patrols, though caution is recommended along dark stretches outside the gates.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Best restricted to monitored campus facilities; walking unescorted along off-campus commercial strips late at night is not advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) serves the area primarily via Bus Route 19 along University Boulevard North, though headways can be long and there is no direct rail connection.
Surface parking is plentiful throughout the area; visitor parking passes are typically required on university lots during weekday business hours, while off-campus shopping centers offer free parking.
Things to do in Jacksonville University
- Stroll the riverfront path and dolphin-viewing docks at Jacksonville University Waterfront
- Attend a theatrical performance or gallery exhibit at the Alexander Brest Center for the Arts
- Catch an NCAA Division I sporting event at the D.B. Milne Field or Swisher Gymnasium
Local favorites
- Arlington River Fish Camp · Seafood Restaurant · 4.4★ (1250)A popular local spot serving Southern-style seafood baskets and platters just south of the campus area.
- Cliff's Bar and Grill · Bar & Grill · 4.2★ (680)Longstanding neighborhood pub offering classic bar fare, wings, and live music.
- The River House at JU · Event Venue & Lounge · 4.6★ (115)On-campus scenic venue and student center offering scenic river views and casual community space.
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.