Is North Highland Beach safe?
Highland Beach, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates North Highland Beach as “Go”.
Gogo's take on North Highland Beach
“Go. North Highland Beach is an exceptionally safe, serene barrier-island community with virtually nonexistent violent crime rates. While personal safety is among the highest in South Florida, visitors should be aware that public beach access and public parking are strictly limited in this residential enclave.”
About the area
North Highland Beach is a quiet, affluent coastal strip along State Road A1A sandwiched between Boca Raton and Delray Beach. Characterized by high-rise luxury condominiums, manicured private estates, and ocean vistas, it caters primarily to retirees and seasonal residents.
- Quiet Coastal
- Affluent
- Scenic / Oceanfront
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in North Highland Beach
Walk score: 22/100 · Bike score: 58/100
Cyclists frequently use the designated bike lanes on State Road A1A, though there are no docked public bike-share stations in the immediate vicinity.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime and property crime rates are among the lowest in Florida, backed by dedicated local police patrols.
- High median household incomes exceeding $130,000 and pristine residential upkeep.
- Tranquil, uncrowded oceanfront atmosphere without intrusive nightlife.
Cons
- Severe lack of public beach access and public street parking.
- Nearly no commercial or retail amenities within walking distance.
- High car dependence for everyday errands and dining.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in North Highland Beach due to its strict residential private-property layout, lack of transit hubs, and active town policing.
What North Highland Beach is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and breezy with active joggers and cyclists along A1A; feels exceptionally safe.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet with light local traffic and service vehicles; completely comfortable for outdoor recreation.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and subdued as residents dine or walk private grounds; extremely safe.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet with almost no pedestrian presence; remains exceptionally secure with regular police patrols.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is virtually nonexistent directly along this corridor; Palm Tran serves nearby mainland routes, while the Delray Beach Tri-Rail/Brightline stations are approximately 4 miles to the northwest.
Public parking is nearly impossible within North Highland Beach due to strict private condo regulations and town tow-away zones; visitors should use paid public lots located slightly north in Delray Beach.
Things to do in North Highland Beach
- Bike or jog along the scenic coastal corridor of State Road A1A.
- Enjoy oceanfront dining with panoramic Atlantic views at Latitudes.
- Visit the nearby Atlantic Dunes Park just across the Delray Beach town line for direct public beach access.
Local favorites
- Latitudes Ocean Grill · Seafood Restaurant · 4.2★ (1420)Upscale oceanfront dining offering coastal cuisine, cocktails, and sweeping Atlantic Ocean views.
- Delray Sands Resort · Resort Hotel · 4.3★ (1150)A boutique oceanfront resort offering private beach access, pool amenities, and event spaces.
- Highland Beach Library · Public Library · 4.8★ (65)A peaceful oceanfront public library offering community events, art exhibits, and reading areas.
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.