Is Runyon safe?
Belle Glade, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates Runyon as “No-go after dark”.
Gogo's take on Runyon
“Go with care. While daytime travel along primary thoroughfares for specific services or transit is manageable, Belle Glade and its surrounding residential pockets experience elevated rates of both violent and property crime. Visitors should remain alert, avoid walking alone at night, and secure vehicles and belongings at all times.”
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office continues targeted community policing operations across the Glades region to address persistent gun violence and illicit drug activity.
About the area
Runyon is a semi-rural residential and agricultural community situated within the greater Belle Glade area in western Palm Beach County. The neighborhood is characterized by modest single-family homes, low-density housing, and proximity to expansive sugarcane and winter vegetable farming operations.
- Rural / Agricultural
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet Residential
- Subdued
Walking and biking in Runyon
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There is no bike-share program, and dedicated bike lanes are virtually non-existent, though the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST) on the dike is accessible a few miles north.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Tight-knit, multigenerational community ties among long-term local residents
- Direct highway access to State Road 80 and US-27 for regional travel
- Substantially less vehicular traffic congestion compared to coastal Palm Beach County
Cons
- Violent and property crime rates in the Belle Glade area significantly exceed both Florida and national averages
- High local poverty rate with limited commercial amenities and economic infrastructure
- Sparse streetlighting and limited pedestrian infrastructure on neighborhood roads
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is relatively low in the residential pockets of Runyon, though occasional individuals experiencing homelessness can be seen around regional service centers and major retail nodes in Belle Glade.
What Runyon is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are quiet with farmworkers commuting and school traffic moving, feeling generally calm for routine errands.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoon activity increases near commercial corridors; general daytime awareness is advised.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity tapers off quickly at dusk, and reduced lighting makes pedestrian movement less advisable.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights carry significantly higher risk due to sparse lighting, isolated roads, and elevated crime vulnerability; staying indoors is strongly recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Palm Tran provides local fixed-route bus service via Route 47 and the 'Go Glades' on-demand microtransit system; there is no passenger rail service in the area.
Free surface and residential driveway parking is abundant throughout the area with no metered spaces or parking garages.
Things to do in Runyon
- Take a scenic drive along the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail nearby for birdwatching and panoramic dike views
- Visit the Lawrence E. Will Museum in downtown Belle Glade to learn about the Glades' pioneer history and agriculture
- Experience freshwater bass fishing along the rim canal and Lake Okeechobee access points
Local favorites
- Banyan Tree Cafe · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (320)A popular local diner serving hearty Southern breakfast platters and daily lunch specials.
- Dixie Fried Chicken · Fast Food Restaurant · 4.5★ (410)A long-standing Belle Glade institution known for crispy fried chicken and classic sides.
- Taqueria Guerrero · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (185)Authentic Mexican tacos, burritos, and traditional dishes served in a casual setting.
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.