Is South Downtown Hollywood safe?
Hollywood, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates South Downtown Hollywood as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on South Downtown Hollywood
“Go with care. South Downtown Hollywood provides easy access to the city's vibrant dining and arts corridor, alongside steady residential revitalization. While main avenues are lively and secure during standard hours, visitors should exercise common urban awareness along side streets and the Dixie Highway corridor after dark.”
City CRA investments continue to fund streetscape enhancements and increased private security patrols throughout the downtown commercial district.
About the area
South Downtown Hollywood lies directly south of Hollywood's historic commercial core and ArtsPark at Young Circle, blending historic single-family homes, mid-rise rental complexes, and urban retail. It serves as a transitional zone between the bustling nightlife of downtown and quieter southern residential neighborhoods.
- Walkable Dining Hub
- Urban Transition
- Arts & Murals
- Nightlife Heavy
Walking and biking in South Downtown Hollywood
Walk score: 84/100 · Bike score: 68/100
Biking is relatively straightforward on residential grid streets, and cyclists can connect to the multi-use Hollywood Beach Broadwalk via Hollywood Boulevard.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Immediate walking access to the vibrant ArtsPark at Young Circle and Harrison Street dining
- Active Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) initiatives promoting modern residential infill and lighting
- Strong multi-modal transit connectivity along the US-1 and Dixie Highway corridors
Cons
- Higher incidence of petty theft and vehicle break-ins relative to suburban Broward County
- Pockets of aging, high-density rental stock with lower median household incomes
- Noticeable drop in pedestrian activity and lighting on east-west side streets late at night
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately noticeable, primarily concentrated near bus benches along Dixie Highway and Federal Highway; encampments are infrequent due to regular municipal outreach.
What South Downtown Hollywood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with commuters, early gym-goers, and coffee shop traffic along main avenues.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Brisk commercial activity with steady foot traffic from local workers and diners; feels safe and open.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Lively around restaurants and pubs, though side streets become quiet and require situational awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Caution is recommended near late-night bars and along Dixie Highway as foot traffic thins and loitering increases.
Transit, parking and getting around
Broward County Transit (BCT) provides frequent bus service via Route 1 on Federal Highway and Route 81 along Washington Street; the regional Hollywood Tri-Rail commuter station is located roughly 1.5 miles northwest.
Metered street parking and municipal surface lots are widely available throughout the district, with rates typically ranging from $1.50 to $2.00 per hour.
Things to do in South Downtown Hollywood
- Explore the outdoor murals and public art installations of the Downtown Hollywood Mural Project
- Dine at authentic international eateries along Harrison Street and Federal Highway
- Catch an outdoor movie night, live concert, or food truck festival at nearby ArtsPark at Young Circle
Local favorites
- The Greek Joint · Greek Restaurant · 4.6★ (750)Popular local spot serving authentic gyros, souvlaki, and Mediterranean platters.
- Shenanigans Sports Pub · Sports Bar · 4.4★ (2100)Long-standing neighborhood pub known for late-night wings, draft beers, and game broadcasts.
- Kay Rico Coffee · Coffee Shop · 4.7★ (420)Cozy specialty cafe offering artisanal espresso drinks, smoothies, and homemade pastries.
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.