Is Ferry Pass safe?
Pensacola, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Ferry Pass as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Ferry Pass
“Go. Ferry Pass is a safe, bustling suburban and university community anchored by the University of West Florida and major medical facilities. While visitors should exercise routine awareness regarding property crime and vehicle break-ins around busy retail parking lots, violent crime is low and the area is welcoming.”
About the area
Ferry Pass is a sprawling suburban CDP directly north of Pensacola, centered around the University of West Florida campus and the West Florida Hospital corridor. It features extensive commercial shopping centers along Nine Mile Road and North Davis Highway, buffered by quiet residential subdivisions and expansive nature trails.
- Suburban
- College Town Vibe
- Car-Dependent
- Commercial Corridor
Walking and biking in Ferry Pass
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 41/100
There is no city bike-share system, but the UWF campus offers miles of dedicated multi-use paved paths and off-road mountain bike trails.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to broader Escambia County and Pensacola city averages
- Strong institutional stability driven by the University of West Florida and regional medical centers
- Access to well-maintained nature trails, boardwalks, and green spaces on the UWF campus
- High household vehicle access and robust commercial infrastructure
Cons
- Routine property crime such as vehicle break-ins in large commercial and apartment parking lots
- Car-centric design with high-speed arterial roads that present pedestrian safety hazards
- Heavy traffic congestion during peak university and hospital shift changes along US-29 and Nine Mile Road
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal across most residential neighborhoods, with occasional panhandling observed near major intersections along Davis Highway and Nine Mile Road.
What Ferry Pass is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe with commuters, healthcare staff, and university students heading to work and class.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Bustling and safe across shopping plazas and campus grounds, though traffic along main roads is heavy.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and generally safe, with steady activity around dining centers and retail plazas.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet in residential and campus zones; low safety risk, though isolated retail lots require standard caution.
Transit, parking and getting around
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) operates bus lines through Ferry Pass, including Routes 43, 60, and 64, connecting the area to central Pensacola; the region has no rail or BRT network.
Parking is abundant and free in strip malls and business surface lots, while the UWF campus requires designated visitor permits for on-campus lots.
Things to do in Ferry Pass
- Walk the scenic boardwalk through wetlands on the Edward Ball Nature Trail at UWF
- Mountain bike or hike the multi-use trail system through the University of West Florida backwoods
- Shop and dine along the vibrant North Davis Highway and Nine Mile Road commercial strips
Local favorites
- Taqueria El Asador · Mexican Restaurant · 4.8★ (3500)Celebrated roadside taco stand serving authentic street tacos and grilled meats.
- Grover's Fingers & Wings · Fast Casual Restaurant · 4.6★ (1300)Longtime local favorite known for fried chicken tenders, wings, and specialty dipping sauces.
- Goat Lips Chew & Brewhouse · Brewpub · 4.5★ (750)Quirky neighborhood brewpub offering house-made craft beers, sandwiches, and live music.
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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