Is Ocala Highlands safe?
Ocala, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Ocala Highlands as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Ocala Highlands
“Go. Ocala Highlands is a peaceful, well-maintained residential neighborhood in Southeast Ocala with low crime rates and a strong community feel. Visitors will find it safe for quiet walks and family activities, though having a car is essential for getting around.”
About the area
Ocala Highlands is an established suburban neighborhood located in Southeast Ocala, known for its rolling terrain, mature live oaks, and classic mid-century ranch homes. It offers quick access to major city parks, golf courses, and commercial amenities along the SE 17th Street and Maricamp corridors.
- Quiet Residential
- Established Suburban
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Ocala Highlands
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 44/100
There is no city bike-share system, but the paved 2-mile fitness loop at nearby Jervey Gantt Park offers safe cycling, while neighborhood streets are calm enough for casual riding despite lacking dedicated bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are substantially lower than the citywide and national averages.
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes with well-tended yards and active neighborhood pride.
- Convenient proximity to Jervey Gantt Park, offering abundant outdoor recreation amenities.
Cons
- Lacks commercial retail within the core residential streets, requiring a vehicle for errands.
- Occasional isolated property crimes such as unlocked car burglaries occur along peripheral roads.
- Narrow residential roadways generally lack continuous sidewalks or dedicated street lighting.
Homelessness: Homelessness is not a notable presence within the interior residential streets of Ocala Highlands, though occasional individuals may be observed near bus stops or shopping plazas along the commercial fringes of SE 17th Street.
What Ocala Highlands is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with local residents walking dogs and jogging along shaded residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with light local traffic and standard suburban daytime activity.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Very safe for evening strolls, though low street lighting makes wearing reflective gear or carrying a flashlight advisable.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and tranquil with virtually no pedestrian activity and very low risk of disturbance.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by SunTran, with bus routes operating along peripheral arterials like SE 17th Street and SE 25th Avenue, though headways are typically 60 to 75 minutes and rail service does not exist in the area.
Parking is abundant and hassle-free, with private residential driveways, open street parking along neighborhood roads, and free surface lots at all nearby businesses.
Things to do in Ocala Highlands
- Walk, jog, or play tennis and pickleball at nearby Jervey Gantt Park.
- Play a round of golf at the historic Ocala Golf Club located just north of the neighborhood.
- Explore local dining and shopping along the Southeast 17th Street commercial strip.
Local favorites
- Braised Onion · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (1420)Vibrant, quirky local restaurant serving elevated comfort food and creative entrees in a colorful setting.
- Mojo's Grill & Catering Co. · Cajun & American Grill · 4.4★ (2150)Popular local eatery known for generous portions of wings, po'boys, and Southern-Cajun specialties.
- Symmetry Coffee Co. · Coffee Shop · 4.8★ (680)Specialty coffee bar serving craft espresso drinks, cold brews, and fresh pastries a short drive away.
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.