Is Plantation safe?
Plantation, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Plantation as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Plantation
“Go. Plantation is a safe, established suburban community in central Broward County characterized by well-manicured neighborhoods, plentiful parks, and robust commercial hubs. Visitors will encounter minimal safety concerns beyond standard awareness regarding vehicle security in busy shopping center parking lots.”
About the area
Plantation is a lush, master-planned suburban city located directly west of Fort Lauderdale, known for its tree-canopied streets, golf courses, and family-oriented atmosphere. It serves primarily as a tranquil residential and commercial center with modern shopping districts and extensive municipal park systems.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
- Sprawling
Walking and biking in Plantation
Walk score: 41/100 · Bike score: 48/100
There is no municipal bike-share system, though cyclists can access multi-use recreational paths within Plantation Central Park and designated bike lanes along select collector roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than regional Broward County and state benchmarks.
- Strong economic baseline with median household incomes exceeding $85,000 and high owner-occupancy rates.
- Well-funded municipal services, public safety presence, and extensively maintained park facilities.
Cons
- Opportunistic property crime and retail theft occur occasionally around major commercial corridors.
- High-speed arterial roadways present pedestrian hazards along major thoroughfares like University Drive.
- Extremely car-dependent layout necessitates driving for virtually all travel and activities.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal across the city's residential neighborhoods, with only occasional individuals or panhandling observed near major commercial intersections along Broward Boulevard and University Drive.
What Plantation is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and highly secure, with joggers, dog walkers, and cyclists active throughout residential neighborhoods and parks.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active and safe across retail centers and corporate parks, with typical suburban vehicular traffic along main arteries.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and family-oriented, with restaurants and shopping plazas bustling in a relaxed, well-lit environment.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and largely deserted in residential pockets, requiring standard vigilance in larger, dimly lit commercial parking plazas.
Transit, parking and getting around
Broward County Transit (BCT) runs several bus routes through the city (including Routes 2, 22, and 81), but there is no passenger rail within city borders; the nearest Tri-Rail and Brightline stations are located 6 to 8 miles east in Fort Lauderdale.
Parking is abundant and almost entirely free across expansive surface lots at shopping centers, parks, and office campuses, with modern structured garages at Plantation Walk.
Things to do in Plantation
- Enjoy the expansive sports facilities, aquatic center, and walking paths at Plantation Central Park.
- Stroll, dine, and shop in the outdoor pedestrian plaza at Plantation Walk.
- Visit the Plantation Historical Museum and explore its adjacent botanical garden.
Local favorites
- Padrino's Cuban Restaurant · Cuban Restaurant · 4.6★ (2850)Longtime family-owned staple serving authentic Cuban classics and craft cocktails in a vibrant dining room.
- Plantation Diner · Diner · 4.5★ (1650)Retro daytime fixture serving hearty American breakfast platters, pancakes, and classic diner fare.
- Jacaranda Golf Club · Golf Course · 4.4★ (870)Scenic 36-hole championship golf destination featuring pristine fairways and full clubhouse amenities.
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.