Is Markham safe?
Sanford, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Markham as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Markham
“Go. Markham is a peaceful, affluent, and scenic residential corridor in western Sanford with exceptionally low crime rates. Visitors coming for outdoor recreation or quiet suburban living will find it very safe at all hours, provided they have a personal vehicle.”
About the area
Markham is a leafy, semi-rural to suburban neighborhood characterized by sprawling properties, gated enclaves, and immediate access to central Florida conservation areas. It offers a tranquil respite from urban Orlando, bordered by the St. Johns River basin and the Wekiva River conservation network.
- Suburban / Wooded
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet / Residential
- Outdoor Recreation
Walking and biking in Markham
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There is direct access to the Seminole Wekiva Trail along Markham Woods Road, though there are no municipal bike-share stations in the vicinity.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent and property crime rates are significantly lower than both Sanford and national averages
- High household median incomes and strong rates of owner-occupied housing contribute to neighborhood stability
- Immediate access to prime outdoor recreation trails including the Black Bear Wilderness Area
Cons
- Extremely car-dependent with virtually no walkable retail or dining within the residential pockets
- Dark, winding two-lane roads with minimal street lighting can make nighttime driving cautious
- Frequent wildlife crossing hazards, notably Florida black bears and deer along wooded corridors
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in this suburban area, with support services and shelters located several miles east in downtown Sanford.
What Markham is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with early joggers, cyclists, and minimal commuter traffic along residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with residents driving to nearby shopping plazas and outdoor enthusiasts visiting local trailheads.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and dark with almost all pedestrian activity winding down before sundown.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely low street activity and very safe, though caution is advised for wildlife on unlit roads.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is virtually nonexistent here; LYNX bus services run along major arterial corridors to the east, and the nearest SunRail commuter station is the Sanford Station, roughly 6 miles away.
Ample and free parking is standard throughout the area, including dedicated lots at parks and trailheads as well as private residential driveways.
Things to do in Markham
- Hike the rugged 7.1-mile loop trail along the St. Johns River at Black Bear Wilderness Area
- Access the multi-use paved Seminole Wekiva Trail for long-distance cycling and running
- Visit Lake Sylvan Park for tennis, pickleball courts, and athletic fields just south of the neighborhood
Local favorites
- Terramia Ristorante · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (650)Upscale Italian dining room serving traditional pastas, veal dishes, and fine wines along the Markham corridor.
- Black Bear Wilderness Area · Nature Preserve · 4.8★ (1850)Popular nature trail system offering scenic boardwalks, river views, and abundant local wildlife.
- Lake Sylvan Park · Public Park · 4.6★ (320)Well-maintained Seminole County park featuring modern athletic fields, tennis courts, and fishing docks.
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.