Is Sherwood Forest safe?
Jacksonville, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Sherwood Forest as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Sherwood Forest
“Go with care. Sherwood Forest is an established, predominantly residential mid-century subdivision in Northwest Jacksonville with limited tourist amenities. Visitors should remain alert, keep vehicle doors locked, and avoid walking through unfamiliar residential streets or commercial strips after dark.”
Local news in the broader Northwest Jacksonville / Soutel Drive corridor frequently reports on episodic gun violence and commercial property theft.
About the area
Sherwood Forest is a leafy, mid-century suburban neighborhood in Jacksonville's Northside featuring single-story ranch homes and mature tree canopies. It is largely quiet and residential during the day, though it borders higher-crime commercial corridors along Soutel Drive and Moncrief Road.
- Suburban / Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Tree-Lined
- Quiet Daytime
Walking and biking in Sherwood Forest
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 34/100
There are no bike-share stations or dedicated bike lanes in the neighborhood; cycling is limited to shared residential roads without direct connection to regional multi-use trails.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Stable residential pockets with a noticeable proportion of long-term homeowners
- Generous tree canopy, larger suburban lots, and neighborhood park green space
- Close proximity to Lonnie C. Miller Sr. Regional Park for outdoor recreation
- Convenient driving access to Interstate 295 and major Jacksonville industrial hubs
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates in the surrounding zip code exceed national averages
- Poverty rate is higher and median household income is below the Jacksonville metro median
- Commercial corridors along Soutel Drive experience elevated night-time security incidents
- Limited neighborhood walkability, infrastructure, and commercial dining options
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low within the interior residential streets, though occasional panhandling occurs near major commercial intersections along Soutel Drive.
What Sherwood Forest is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and low-key with school commutes and residents leaving for work along residential roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Generally calm with modest local traffic, safe for daylight errands and driving through.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down quickly; stay aware of surroundings near gas stations and strip plazas on Soutel Drive.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets become very quiet and dimly lit, with a higher risk profile for vehicle break-ins and opportunistic crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) operates local bus routes through the area, primarily Routes 3 and 22 connecting via Soutel Drive and Norfolk Boulevard; there is no rail or BRT service.
Parking is overwhelmingly easy, free, and unrestricted on private residential driveways and in dedicated surface lots outside area strip malls.
Things to do in Sherwood Forest
- Explore the walking trails, playground, and open fields at nearby Lonnie C. Miller Sr. Regional Park
- Play a round of basketball or enjoy neighborhood green spaces at Norfolk Park
- Take a short drive to the Ribault River nature areas for local birdwatching and fishing
Local favorites
- Famous Sandwiches · Sandwich Shop · 4.4★ (460)A long-running neighborhood counter-serve staple known for hearty subs, cheesesteaks, and quick comfort bites.
- Soutel Fish & Chicken · Seafood & Southern · 4.2★ (310)No-frills local spot serving seasoned fried fish platters, chicken wings, and Southern sides.
- Holley's Bar-B-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.5★ (520)Neighborhood classic nearby serving traditional slow-smoked ribs, pork sandwiches, and tangy homemade sauce.
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.