Is Northwest Sunrise safe?
Sunrise, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Northwest Sunrise as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Northwest Sunrise
“Go. Northwest Sunrise is a calm, predominantly residential and suburban enclave offering high safety levels and convenient access to regional attractions. Visitors have little reason for safety concern beyond standard precautions regarding vehicle property crime around retail plazas.”
About the area
Northwest Sunrise is a sprawling, master-planned suburban community situated along the edge of the Everglades in western Broward County. It features quiet gated residential developments, corporate business parks, and easy access to major recreation hubs and shopping complexes.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Everglades Border
Walking and biking in Northwest Sunrise
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 48/100
No public bike-share system operates directly here, but the area features designated bike lanes on main arterials and immediate proximity to the extensive off-road multi-use and mountain bike trail networks inside Markham Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are substantially lower than both state and national averages.
- Strong local economy with median household incomes exceeding $80,000 and low poverty rates.
- Well-maintained suburban infrastructure with modern housing stock and active HOA communities.
Cons
- Car break-ins and retail-adjacent property theft occur periodically near major commercial parking lots.
- Highly car-dependent layout with wide multi-lane thoroughfares that are difficult for pedestrians to cross.
- Limited street activity at night outside major commercial zones can feel isolated.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is very low in this area, with occasional individuals noticed only near major commercial transit stops along West Oakland Park Boulevard. There are no encampments present in the residential neighborhoods.
What Northwest Sunrise is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers, dog walkers, and light commuter traffic across tree-lined subdivisions.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet in residential areas while commercial corridors buzz with shoppers and business traffic in a very safe environment.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and family-oriented, with well-lit streets in planned subdivisions and lively restaurant patios along retail corridors.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely low activity and very quiet; walking within residential neighborhoods remains safe, though commercial lots are empty.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by Broward County Transit (BCT) with routes like Route 22, Route 36, and Route 72 traversing major east-west corridors. There is no direct rail access; the nearest Tri-Rail station is Fort Lauderdale/Uptown roughly 10 miles to the east.
Parking is abundant, free, and straightforward throughout the area, utilizing large surface parking lots at shopping centers and private driveways or garages in residential tracts.
Things to do in Northwest Sunrise
- Explore mountain biking trails, the target range, and lakeside paths at neighboring Markham Park.
- Shop high-end outlets and dine outdoors at The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills nearby.
- Attend a Florida Panthers NHL game or major concert at the adjacent Amerant Bank Arena.
Local favorites
- Matchbox Sawgrass · American Restaurant · 4.2★ (2150)Popular gathering spot serving wood-fired pizzas, craft cocktails, and American comfort food in a stylish space.
- Carlucci's Brick Oven Trattoria · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (680)Warm neighborhood Italian eatery known for authentic brick-oven pizzas, pasta classics, and generous portions.
- Villagio Restaurant · Fine Dining Italian · 4.3★ (1820)Upscale dining option offering traditional Italian dishes and carpaccio with indoor and patio seating.
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.