Is South Margate safe?
Margate, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates South Margate as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on South Margate
“Go. South Margate is a standard, generally quiet suburban Broward County community that is safe for daytime errands, dining, and neighborhood walks. Standard awareness is advisable along busy arterial corridors like State Road 7 and Atlantic Boulevard after dark.”
About the area
South Margate is an established residential enclave featuring mid-century single-family ranch homes, condo communities, and active retail strips. Visitors primarily pass through for authentic multicultural dining along Atlantic Boulevard or for recreation at local municipal parks and golf facilities.
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Diverse
- Quiet Residential
Walking and biking in South Margate
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 52/100
There is no municipal bike-share system available. Cycling is feasible on residential streets and designated painted lanes on select thoroughfares, though high-speed traffic on major arterials presents hazards.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are generally lower than broader regional and national averages.
- High rates of settled, owner-occupied residential properties foster neighborhood stability.
- Convenient access to essential shopping plazas, grocery stores, and local parks.
Cons
- Occasional property crimes and vehicle break-ins reported near commercial strip centers.
- Pedestrian vulnerability due to high-speed traffic on multi-lane thoroughfares like Atlantic Boulevard.
- Lower economic mobility indices compared to higher-income western Broward suburbs.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential subdivisions, though occasional individuals experiencing homelessness or panhandling can be observed near commercial plazas along State Road 7 and Atlantic Boulevard.
What South Margate is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm as residents commute and walk dogs through tree-lined interior streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy commercial activity along main roadways with moderate traffic and safe park spaces.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential sectors with active plaza dining; feels secure under basic situational awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic in neighborhoods; caution is warranted around late-night gas stations and bus stops on State Road 7.
Transit, parking and getting around
Broward County Transit (BCT) operates local bus services, primarily Route 42 along Atlantic Boulevard and Route 18 along State Road 7. The nearest Tri-Rail commuter rail station is the Pompano Beach Station, located approximately 5 miles east.
Parking is abundant and free throughout South Margate in dedicated retail surface lots and residential driveways, with no metered street parking.
Things to do in South Margate
- Play a round of public golf or hit the practice facilities at Oriole Golf Club.
- Enjoy tennis courts, playgrounds, and walking paths at nearby Firefighters Park.
- Sample regional Caribbean and Latin cuisines at strip mall eateries along West Atlantic Boulevard.
Local favorites
- Dutch Pot Jamaican Restaurant · Jamaican Restaurant · 4.2★ (1150)Popular counter-serve outpost known for hearty portions of oxtail, jerk chicken, and curry goat.
- Oriole Golf Club · Golf Course · 4.1★ (760)Well-maintained 18-hole championship public golf course open year-round with a clubhouse and pro shop.
- Tacos El Papi · Mexican Restaurant · 4.6★ (640)Casual, strip-mall eatery serving authentic street tacos, quesadillas, and traditional Mexican staples.
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.