Is University of North Florida safe?
Jacksonville, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates University of North Florida as “Go”.
Gogo's take on University of North Florida
“Go. The University of North Florida campus is one of the safest areas in Jacksonville, shielded by its self-contained layout and dedicated round-the-clock university police department. Visitors can freely explore the campus nature trails and facilities with standard awareness.”
About the area
Occupying a 1,300-acre designated nature sanctuary in Southside Jacksonville, the University of North Florida offers a peaceful, wooded collegiate environment. It attracts visitors for its preserved hiking trails, modern athletics venues, and immediate proximity to the St. Johns Town Center shopping corridor.
- Collegiate
- Lush / Nature-Rich
- Sprawling
- Safe / Quiet
Walking and biking in University of North Florida
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 62/100
Campus features dedicated bike racks and wide multi-use pedestrian/bike paths, though protected bike lanes ending at the highway borders limit off-campus cycling connectivity.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low rates of violent crime monitored 24/7 by the dedicated UNF Police Department
- On-campus access to the pristine 300-acre Sawmill Slough Preserve and botanical gardens
- Proximity to high-income, modern Southside residential and commercial amenities
Cons
- Isolated wooded pockets that become pitch-black after dusk
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as vehicle break-ins or bicycle thefts in open parking lots
- High car dependency for any travel off the immediate university perimeter
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence on the UNF campus grounds due to strict campus access management and routine patrols.
What University of North Florida is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Vibrant and very safe as students, joggers, and faculty circulate along tree-lined walkways and preserve boardwalks.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy and secure with high foot traffic between lecture halls, dining areas, and the library.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and well-monitored, with blue-light emergency towers and campus safety escorts available.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and largely empty; it remains safe, though visitors should stick to lit pathways rather than the unlit nature trails.
Transit, parking and getting around
Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) provides local bus service directly to campus via Route 8 and the First Coast Flyer Blue Line connection nearby, though most commuters rely on personal vehicles.
Visitor parking is ample in several multistory campus garages and surface lots, requiring a daily electronic permit generally costing between $2 and $5.
Things to do in University of North Florida
- Hike and birdwatch along miles of boardwalks in the Sawmill Slough Nature Preserve
- Attend a Division I athletic event at Hodges Stadium or the UNF Arena
- Explore the campus sculptures and Peace Plaza beside the student union
Local favorites
- The Boathouse at UNF · American Restaurant · 4.2★ (230)A relaxed campus lakeside grill serving classic burgers, tenders, and sandwiches overlooking Candy Cane Lake.
- Prati Italia · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (1250)A stylish, upscale eatery located just off campus serving Roman-style pizzas and handmade pastas.
- Taverna Yamas · Greek Restaurant · 4.4★ (2450)Lively Mediterranean dining spot near the campus border offering classic Greek fare and festive evening energy.
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.