Is Palm Coast safe?
Palm Coast, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Palm Coast as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Palm Coast
“Go. Palm Coast is a peaceful, sprawling suburban community with crime rates consistently lower than Florida and national averages. It is exceptionally safe for visitors, provided you have a car to get around the sprawling residential network.”
Flagler County Sheriff's Office regularly reports sustained decreases in residential burglaries and low violent crime metrics across the city.
About the area
Palm Coast is a master-planned coastal city in Flagler County known for its saltwater canal systems, extensive trail networks, and tranquil residential neighborhoods. It offers easy access to Atlantic beaches, quiet parks, and golf resorts in a relaxed, family-oriented atmosphere.
- Suburban
- Quiet
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Retirement Haven
Walking and biking in Palm Coast
Walk score: 18/100 · Bike score: 48/100
While there is no public bike-share system, the city features over 125 miles of connected multi-use paths including the Lehigh Greenway Rail Trail and St. Joe Walkway.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than state and national averages
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes contributing to neighborhood stability
- Extensive network of paved multi-use trails and waterfront recreation areas
- Low overall poverty rate of approximately 10-11%
Cons
- Heavy car dependency with minimal walkability outside of parks
- Occasional vehicle burglaries targeting unlocked cars in residential driveways
- Limited late-night entertainment and dining options
- Seasonal storm and hurricane surge vulnerability along canals and coastal corridors
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is very low throughout the city. Minor instances of panhandling occasionally occur near major highway commercial nodes along SR-100 and I-95, but there are no established encampments.
What Palm Coast is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with retirees and joggers utilizing the canal paths and neighborhood sidewalks under very safe conditions.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and suburban with light commercial traffic around shopping centers on Palm Coast Parkway and State Road 100.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and laid-back with families and seniors dining at local strip plazas or European Village without safety concerns.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Exceptionally quiet and dark with virtually empty residential streets; safety risks remain very low.
Transit, parking and getting around
Palm Coast is served primarily by Flagler County Public Transportation (FCPT), which operates demand-response/dial-a-ride service rather than fixed-route bus lines; there is no passenger rail or BRT.
Parking is completely free and abundant across shopping plazas, parks, and residential areas, with no metered zones or parking garages.
Things to do in Palm Coast
- Walk or bike along the scenic paved paths of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park and the Lehigh Greenway Rail Trail
- Launch a kayak or fish at Waterfront Park along the Intracoastal Waterway
- Play a round of golf at the scenic Palm Harbor Golf Club
Local favorites
- The Brown Dog · Gastropub · 4.6★ (460)A cozy, popular local watering hole offering a wide craft beer selection, pub fare, and live trivia.
- Mezzaluna Pizzeria · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (1150)Beloved local pizzeria in European Village serving authentic New York-style pies and classic pasta dishes.
- Metro Diner · Diner · 4.5★ (1820)Bustling comfort-food staple known for generous portions of fried chicken, waffles, and hearty breakfasts.
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.
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