Is Paul Russell Road safe?
Tallahassee, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Paul Russell Road as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Paul Russell Road
“Go with care. While visiting civic facilities like the local community center and park during daylight hours is generally safe, the corridor experiences higher rates of property crime and sporadic violent disturbances compared to northern Tallahassee. Keep vehicle doors locked and exercise elevated situational awareness, especially after dark.”
Tallahassee Police periodically increase Southside patrols along the South Monroe and Paul Russell intersection following sporadic property crimes and late-night firearm incidents near area rental complexes.
About the area
Paul Russell Road is an east-west secondary arterial on Tallahassee's south side, spanning between South Monroe Street and Blair Stone Road. The corridor is characterized by municipal recreation facilities, mid-century and modern apartment complexes, light commercial plazas, and tree-lined suburban stretches.
- Suburban Corridor
- Civic & Parks
- Car-Dependent
- Mixed Residential
Walking and biking in Paul Russell Road
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 48/100
Paul Russell Road features designated bike lanes along most segments, with convenient secondary street connections leading toward the St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail head.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Home to Jack L. McLean Jr. Park, offering extensive public athletic amenities and green space
- Direct and convenient vehicle access to both South Monroe Street and Southwood state office campuses
- Lower overall living and rental costs compared to Tallahassee's northern suburbs
Cons
- Census data indicates below-average median household income and elevated poverty rates in surrounding tracts
- Above-average incidence of vehicle break-ins and property thefts relative to the citywide average
- Poor lighting and minimal pedestrian foot traffic along several residential stretches after dusk
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is occasionally present near bus shelters and commercial shopping nodes at South Monroe Street, though widespread encampments along Paul Russell Road itself are not common.
What Paul Russell Road is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and generally peaceful with commuters heading toward state offices and locals utilizing park trails.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Steady traffic flow with moderate activity around local schools, recreation centers, and shopping plazas.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity wanes quickly outside of park events; visibility diminishes along less developed residential blocks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet but higher risk; wandering on foot is not recommended due to sporadic crime calls and low lighting.
Transit, parking and getting around
StarMetro operates local bus routes (such as the Southside and Forest routes) connecting Paul Russell Road to downtown Tallahassee and the C.K. Steele Plaza transit hub. There is no passenger rail or BRT service in Tallahassee.
Ample free surface parking is readily available at all public parks, community centers, and commercial retail strip centers along the corridor.
Things to do in Paul Russell Road
- Play a round of disc golf, swim, or use the tennis courts at Jack L. McLean Jr. Park
- Tee off at the nearby Hilaman Golf Course situated near the eastern terminus at Blair Stone Road
- Connect to the nearby St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail for a long-distance bike ride south to the coast
Local favorites
- Jack L. McLean Jr. Community Center · Recreation Center · 4.5★ (360)A prominent public facility featuring an aquatic center, playground, walking paths, and disc golf course.
- Hilaman Golf Course · Public Golf Course · 4.1★ (420)A city-operated 18-hole public golf course with a driving range and pro shop located just off Paul Russell Road.
- Lindy's Fried Chicken · Fast Food Restaurant · 4.3★ (580)A long-standing local staple serving Southern-style fried chicken and sweet tea near the South Monroe intersection.
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.