Is South Hodges safe?
Jacksonville, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates South Hodges as “Go”.
Gogo's take on South Hodges
“Go. South Hodges is a calm, affluent suburban sector on Jacksonville's Intracoastal West with exceptionally low violent crime rates. Visitors will find safe, well-maintained subdivisions and strip plazas, though a private vehicle is essential for getting around.”
About the area
South Hodges consists of master-planned communities, gated enclaves, and neighborhood retail centers positioned between Beach Boulevard and J. Turner Butler Boulevard. It provides a peaceful, family-oriented residential setting with convenient highway access to both the Atlantic beaches and major medical centers. The landscape is defined by wide parkways, manicured subdivisions, and strip-center dining.
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Affluent Suburb
- Quiet / Residential
Walking and biking in South Hodges
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 42/100
There are no public bike-share hubs in the area. Hodges Boulevard has painted bike lanes, but fast-moving traffic means recreational riding is best kept inside private subdivisions or dedicated off-road parks.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent and property crime rates are among the lowest in Duval County.
- High homeownership rates and well-kept master-planned neighborhoods.
- Proximity to regional healthcare facilities, including the Mayo Clinic campus.
- Affluent economic base with low poverty and negligible residential vacancy.
Cons
- Suburban auto-centric layout with poor pedestrian connectivity between developments.
- High vehicle speeds along Hodges Boulevard create safety risks for cyclists and pedestrians.
- Nightlife and cultural venues are minimal, requiring drives to neighboring districts.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is essentially absent in South Hodges. There are no shelters or encampments in the vicinity, with only rare panhandling at major commercial intersections on Beach Boulevard.
What South Hodges is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with school traffic, joggers in subdivisions, and commuters heading toward J. Turner Butler Boulevard.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active with errand runners and school pick-up traffic; commercial parking lots remain completely safe.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and residential, with families dining out at local strip center restaurants in a relaxed environment.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and dark with minimal pedestrian presence; residential areas are safe, though streets are isolated.
Transit, parking and getting around
Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) runs limited bus routes along peripheral corridors like Beach Boulevard (Route 8), but internal frequency is minimal and there is no passenger rail. A car or rideshare is practically required.
Parking is completely free, easy, and plentiful in large surface lots serving all local shopping plazas and parks. Gated subdivisions have strict on-street parking rules.
Things to do in South Hodges
- Explore the tidal marshes and scenic wooden boardwalks at nearby Castaway Island Preserve.
- Walk the multi-purpose athletic fields and trails at Patton Park.
- Sample regional casual dining along the South Hodges Boulevard retail corridors.
Local favorites
- Epik Burger · Gourmet Burger Restaurant · 4.5★ (1250)Suburban eatery serving creative craft burgers, milkshakes, and gluten-free specialties.
- Poppy's Italiano · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (680)Neighborhood trattoria offering traditional pasta dishes, stone-baked pizzas, and wine.
- Salsas Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.4★ (920)Lively family-run spot featuring classic Mexican platters, fajitas, and margaritas.
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.