Is Westlake safe?
The Acreage, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Westlake as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Westlake
“Go. Westlake and The Acreage offer an exceptionally safe, quiet exurban environment characterized by master-planned developments, expansive acreage properties, and very low crime rates. Visitors will find plenty of tranquility and family-oriented amenities, though a car is absolutely necessary to navigate the area.”
Recent regional news focuses primarily on rapid commercial expansion along Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and ongoing roadway widening projects to handle population growth.
About the area
Located in western Palm Beach County, this area combines the semi-rural, equestrian-friendly acreage lots of The Acreage with the brand-new, master-planned residential community of Westlake. The atmosphere is quiet, spacious, and family-oriented, with newly constructed commercial centers serving a fast-growing population.
- Family-Friendly
- Suburban / Rural Mix
- Master-Planned
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet & Sprawling
Walking and biking in Westlake
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 34/100
Westlake features wide, modern multi-use community paths ideal for neighborhood riding, but The Acreage consists largely of rural unpaved or narrow roads without dedicated bike lanes or bike-share services.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are exceptionally low and well below national and county benchmarks
- High household incomes with median earnings exceeding $100,000 and poverty rates below 5%
- High homeownership rates and modern, well-maintained housing stock throughout Westlake
- Spacious natural parks, equestrian trails, and family recreation facilities
Cons
- Severe car dependency with isolated rural roads and minimal pedestrian infrastructure in The Acreage
- Periodic unlocked-vehicle break-ins reported in suburban residential driveways
- Significant distance from Palm Beach County coastal attractions and major urban amenities
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in Westlake and The Acreage, with no encampments or panhandling present in the community.
What Westlake is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents walking dogs, jogging along Westlake's paved pathways, or commuting out along Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and family-centered with school traffic and shoppers visiting local retail centers under sunny, open skies.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and residential with minimal foot traffic as families settle in and dining plazas see steady, safe neighborhood crowds.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and tranquil; unpaved and rural stretches in The Acreage lack streetlights, making driving cautious but personal safety risks minimal.
Transit, parking and getting around
Palm Tran provides extremely limited bus service to the outer periphery of the area (Route 40 along Southern Blvd), and the nearest Tri-Rail station is Mangonia Park over 15 miles to the east, requiring personal vehicle ownership for practical travel.
Parking is completely effortless, with free, expansive surface parking lots at all commercial plazas and large private driveways in residential areas.
Things to do in Westlake
- Enjoy outdoor sports, playgrounds, and community events at Acreage Community Park
- Experience a drive-through wildlife adventure at nearby Lion Country Safari just south of the area
- Hike, fish, and observe native wildlife at the adjacent J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area
Local favorites
- Nicole's Village Deli · Deli & Breakfast · 4.7★ (420)A beloved local community staple serving hearty breakfast platters, subs, and fresh deli sandwiches.
- The Habit Burger Grill (Westlake) · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (310)Popular fast-casual spot in the new Westlake shopping center offering charbroiled burgers and milkshakes.
- Loxahatchee Ice Cream Co. · Ice Cream Shop · 4.8★ (190)Family-run dessert shop nearby serving handcrafted ice cream, sundaes, and sweet treats.
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.