Is North Lauderdale safe?
North Lauderdale, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates North Lauderdale as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on North Lauderdale
“Go with care. North Lauderdale is a diverse, largely working-class residential suburb that is generally functional during the day but sees higher-than-average rates of property crime and localized vehicle thefts. Visitors coming to see family or explore local Caribbean dining will find a welcoming community, provided standard personal awareness is maintained.”
Local law enforcement periodically reports neighborhood initiatives to curb opportunistic vehicle burglaries and catalytic converter thefts along dense residential corridors.
About the area
North Lauderdale is an inland Broward County suburban municipality characterized by modest mid-to-late 20th-century housing developments, quiet residential canals, and strip malls along major corridors like State Road 7 and McNab Road. It is home to a rich mix of Caribbean, Haitian, and Hispanic communities, giving it an authentic assortment of casual eateries and neighborhood parks.
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Diverse & Working-Class
- Family-Oriented
Walking and biking in North Lauderdale
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 51/100
There is no municipal bike-share system; cyclists rely on standard painted street lanes along major arteries and interior residential loops with no direct connection to regional off-street greenways.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Plentiful neighborhood parks and recreational green spaces like Hampton Pines Park
- Rich, authentic Caribbean and international casual dining options along main corridors
- Lower violent crime rates compared to adjacent inner-urban Broward pockets
- High rates of private vehicle ownership and straightforward suburban arterial access
Cons
- Property crime and vehicle break-in rates are elevated relative to northern Broward suburbs
- Median household income is below the county average with a poverty rate near 17%
- Commercial strips and unlit residential side streets can feel deserted after dark
- Public infrastructure is car-centric with limited pedestrian amenities along major thoroughfares
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low to moderate, occasionally encountered near major retail intersections and bus stops along US-441/SR 7, but permanent encampments are not common.
What North Lauderdale is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and quiet as commuters head out and residents walk dogs around community parks with minimal safety concerns.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy commercial traffic along McNab Road and SR 7 with pleasant and open residential streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down quickly in neighborhoods; plazas remain mildly busy but require standard parking lot vigilance.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and sparsely lit with occasional foot traffic along main avenues; walking alone late at night is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Broward County Transit (BCT) provides bus services, with key routes such as Route 18 (along SR 7) and Route 62 running across the city; the nearest rail access is the Cypress Creek Tri-Rail commuter station roughly 4 to 5 miles east.
Parking is exceptionally easy and universally free in vast suburban shopping center lots and residential driveways, with no metered zones or parking garages.
Things to do in North Lauderdale
- Walk the scenic lake trails and play disc golf at Hampton Pines Park
- Swim laps or cool off at the North Lauderdale Aquatic and Fitness Center
- Sample traditional Haitian, Jamaican, and Trinidadian specialties along State Road 7
Local favorites
- Silver Pond Restaurant · Chinese Restaurant · 4.3★ (850)Longtime local staple renowned for authentic Cantonese seafood dishes and dim sum selections.
- Dutch Pot Jamaican Restaurant · Jamaican Restaurant · 4.1★ (1400)Popular counter-serve spot dishing out hearty portions of jerk chicken, oxtail, and plantains.
- Jerry's Pizza Cafe · Pizza Restaurant · 4.5★ (320)Neighborhood pizzeria serving classic New York-style thin crust pies, calzones, and wings.
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.