Is Midtown Daytona safe?
Daytona Beach, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates Midtown Daytona as “No-go after dark”.
Gogo's take on Midtown Daytona
“Go with care. Midtown Daytona holds meaningful African-American heritage centered around Bethune-Cookman University, but the area struggles with persistent violent and property crime. Daytime visits to campus landmarks and historic sites are fine with ordinary vigilance, but lingering after dark or wandering residential side streets is not recommended.”
The City of Daytona Beach and the Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency have continued targeted policing and redevelopment initiatives to curb violent crime hotspots and improve streetscapes along the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard corridor.
About the area
Midtown Daytona is a historic, predominantly residential urban neighborhood situated just west of downtown Daytona Beach, anchored by the Bethune-Cookman University campus. While rich in cultural legacy and community identity, the neighborhood faces elevated poverty, aging infrastructure, and higher-than-average crime rates.
- Historic & Cultural
- College Campus
- Socioeconomically Challenged
- Urban Residential
Walking and biking in Midtown Daytona
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 54/100
There is no dedicated municipal bike-share system, and bike infrastructure consists mostly of shared roadways with nearby connections to the Riverfront Esplanade trail east on Beach Street.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Rich African-American cultural history centered around the Bethune-Cookman University historic district
- Close proximity to downtown Daytona Beach, the Riverfront Esplanade, and the Halifax River
- Active municipal redevelopment grants bringing incremental improvements to public parks and streetscapes
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates remain substantially higher than Florida and national benchmarks
- Poverty rate exceeds 30%, with visible blight, abandoned properties, and commercial vacancies
- Limited retail options, formal dining establishments, and full-service grocery access within walking distance
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately elevated, primarily clustering along the eastern boundary near South Ridgewood Avenue (US-1) and at local transit stops due to proximity to downtown social service hubs.
What Midtown Daytona is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are generally calm with students and residents commuting along main corridors, posing minimal safety issues if staying on primary roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons bring steady activity around campus and local eateries, though awareness of surrounding street activity is still advised.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity tapers off as darkness falls, street lighting can be uneven, and pedestrian safety risks increase on residential blocks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late night presents significantly elevated risks of violent encounters, illicit activity, and property crime; walking through the area should be avoided.
Transit, parking and getting around
Votran operates municipal bus routes through the district (notably Routes 3, 4, 10, and 17) providing direct connections to the Votran Intermodal Transfer Facility in nearby Downtown Daytona Beach.
Free street parking is widely available along residential roads, alongside dedicated surface parking lots on the Bethune-Cookman University campus for visitors and students.
Things to do in Midtown Daytona
- Tour the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation Historic Home and gravesite on the university grounds
- Explore the historic campus architecture and cultural programming at Bethune-Cookman University
- Visit Daisy Stocking Park to enjoy community events and open recreational green space
Local favorites
- Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation Home · Historic Museum · 4.8★ (185)National Historic Landmark preserving the original home, furnishings, and personal legacy of educator and civil rights leader Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune.
- Bethune Grill · Soul Food Restaurant · 4.3★ (860)Local landmark counter-serve joint famous for sweet-glazed fried chicken wings and hearty Southern comfort staples.
- Steve's Famous Diner · American Diner · 4.4★ (2240)Longtime local spot on the neighborhood fringe serving expansive homestyle breakfast platters and comfort-food lunches.
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.