Is Monterey safe?
Florence, Mississippi · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Monterey as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Monterey
“Go. Monterey is a quiet, safe rural-suburban pocket south of Florence that offers a secure and peaceful setting. While there are few commercial attractions directly within the community, safety risks are minimal and largely limited to navigating dark two-lane rural roads at night.”
About the area
Monterey is an unincorporated community situated in Rankin County near Florence, characterized by open pastures, timberland, and spacious single-family homes. It serves primarily as a peaceful residential and commuter haven within the greater Jackson metropolitan area.
- Quiet / Rural
- Car-Dependent
- Spacious
- Family-Oriented
Walking and biking in Monterey
Walk score: 8/100 · Bike score: 18/100
There is no bike-share program or dedicated cycling infrastructure in the area; cyclists must share high-speed, two-lane rural roads with narrow shoulders.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low violent and property crime rates compared to the Jackson metro average
- High rates of homeownership and well-maintained private properties
- Quiet, low-density rural atmosphere with strong community ties
Cons
- Completely car-dependent with no sidewalks, bike paths, or streetlighting
- Limited immediate access to emergency healthcare and municipal public services
- Sparse retail and dining options directly within the neighborhood bounds
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Monterey, as social services, shelters, and encampments are concentrated in urban Jackson.
What Monterey is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are calm and peaceful with light commuter traffic moving along local connector roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons are quiet and secure, with minimal roadside activity and no street safety concerns.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings are dark and tranquil; walking along unlit rural roads requires visibility gear due to lack of sidewalks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights are very quiet with virtually no foot traffic and negligible crime risk.
Transit, parking and getting around
There is no public transit service available in Monterey or rural Rankin County; the Jackson area's JATRAN bus system does not operate out to this community.
Parking is completely effortless and free, with ample space on private properties, driveways, and large surface lots at local businesses.
Things to do in Monterey
- Drive the scenic rural corridors and rolling country roads along Monterey Road
- Visit the nearby Florence Parks and Recreation complex for walking trails and sports fields
- Enjoy fresh country cooking and community gatherings in neighboring Florence
Local favorites
- Berry's Seafood & Catfish House · Seafood Restaurant · 4.4★ (2150)A regional staple known for extensive Southern buffets, fried catfish, and seafood platters.
- Los Parrilleros Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.4★ (460)Popular neighborhood dining spot serving classic Mexican fare, fajitas, and margaritas.
- Southern Comfort Donuts & Breakfast · Bakery & Breakfast · 4.7★ (110)Local morning counter serving fresh-made donuts, breakfast sandwiches, and kolaches.
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.