When planning any journey, you wish to guarantee that wherever you’re going is secure. So, is Jacksonville secure? After visiting town for 5 years and dwelling right here full-time for a yr, I can inform you that Jacksonville is a wonderfully secure place to go to for vacationers. Identical to all large cities, you simply have to know which areas to go to and which areas to keep away from in Jacksonville.
In keeping with U.S. Information, Jacksonville was ranked #16 on the “Finest Locations to Reside” within the United States. It’s actually a lovely metropolis with tons to supply, many nice areas to remain, and an nearly limitless listing of issues to do. Right here’s a bit extra about Daring Metropolis and its total security.
Is Jacksonville Protected For Guests?
Total, vacationers don’t want to fret about their security in Jacksonville. Locations that vacationers go to, like downtown and the seaside areas, are completely secure and are identified for his or her low crime charges.
The climate is usually a bit intense throughout the wet months (August and September), so correct journey planning is certainly suggested. Flights may be delayed and highway journey may be harmful at instances, nonetheless, inclement climate often passes pretty shortly in Jacksonville.
I really like dwelling in Jacksonville and have by no means felt that my security was in jeopardy. Vacationers ought to really feel assured that theirs received’t both.
Climate In Jacksonville
The climate in Jacksonville varies tremendously from season to season. Most individuals suppose Florida is heat all yr spherical, and whereas the summers are scorching and humid, the winters are literally fairly cool. The truth is, over the course of a yr, the temperature varies from 46 to 95 levels.
Count on heavy downpours and thunderstorms throughout the scorching summer season months, and crisp, vibrant days throughout the winter months. No matter season you determine to go to Jacksonville, it’s all the time lovely and there’s all the time a enjoyable exercise to do.
The factor I really like probably the most about dwelling in Jacksonville is that simply once you’ve had sufficient sunshine, you get reduction from just a little little bit of rain earlier than the solar returns. It’s a subtropical local weather (not like the tropical climates in Miami or Tampa) which I personally discover to be preferrred.
SEE ALSO: Finest Time To Go to Jacksonville, Florida (By a Metropolis Native)
Hazardous Climate and Pure Disasters
Jacksonville can expertise extreme storms from late Could to September. Heavy rainfall, lightning, damaging winds, hail, and even tornadoes are attainable. July by September is the height of the moist and stormy season.
In September of 1964, Hurricane Dora induced 14 inches of rain that resulted in horrific flooding across the metropolis of Jacksonville. Nonetheless, the worst storm to hit Jacksonville was Tropical Storm Irma in September of 2017. The St. Johns River flooded to historic ranges, placing Jacksonville and Jax Seaside underwater.
Hurricane Season in Jacksonville
Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November thirtieth, nonetheless, the season usually peaks between mid-August and late October. Fortunately, attributable to Jacksonville’s location, hurricanes and tropical storms are likely to miss town, and vital harm is often averted. The 2 storms talked about above are the greatest to hit town in over 100 years.
Issues to Know About Security in Jacksonville
Security for guests and residents in Jacksonville is usually not a priority. Total, for giant cities, Jacksonville is a secure metropolis to go to – in fact, as with every massive metropolis, sure areas ought to be averted. After 5 years of spending time within the metropolis, I’ve by no means felt unsafe within the locations and areas I frequent.
Since Jacksonville is a significant metropolis, guests have to do their analysis and know which locations are secure and which areas ought to be averted. Practically all vacationer and well-liked points of interest, occasions, and eating places are situated in secure areas of Jacksonville.
Crime in Jacksonville
The statistics for crime and security in Jacksonville are just a little hanging and aren’t a correct illustration of the favored vacationer spots of town. Nonetheless, attributable to excessive crime in sure areas, the numbers is usually a bit alarming. Any guests ought to all the time full their very own thorough analysis earlier than selecting which neighborhood to remain in.
In keeping with Neighborhood Scout, Jacksonville was given a complete crime index of 8, which implies it’s safer than 8% of U.S. neighborhoods. The crime fee is roughly 33.76 (per 1,000 residents) with 6.87 being violent crimes. As compared, the violent crime fee within the U.S. is roughly 5.6.
CrimeGrade.org provides Jacksonville a criminal offense grade of “C,” which is across the identical common as different main U.S. cities. Additionally they place Jacksonville within the forty fifth percentile for security which implies 55% of cities could be thought of safer and 45% of cities are extra harmful.
Jacksonville Security Ideas
Regardless of the figures above, there are various secure areas in Jacksonville and methods to make sure your security and luxury whereas visiting town. In 2021, town noticed a 28% drop in violent crime and the sheriff’s workplace is working to make sure these numbers go down yearly.
I’ve explored Jacksonville from high to backside, and its surrounding areas as properly, so I’ve been capable of get a very good gauge of which neighborhoods are the most secure. Listed below are some insights and tips on security in Jacksonville that I’ve gathered through the years.
Protected Neighborhoods and Areas in Jacksonville
Jacksonville is an enormous, sprawling metropolis with dozens of neighborhoods. Inside the Jax metropolis limits, there are additionally numerous very secure neighborhoods. These are the highest three most secure areas in Jacksonville.
Eagle Bend: The small, quiet space of Eagle Bend is by far the most secure neighborhood in Jacksonville, boasting a criminal offense fee 94% decrease than town’s common. It’s a lovely neighborhood surrounded by nature and it’s additionally very inexpensive.
Ortega Forest: With a criminal offense fee 81% decrease than the Jacksonville common, the prosperous space of Ortega Forest on the west aspect of town could be very secure. It’s one of many wealthiest neighborhoods within the metropolis the place you’ll discover riverfront mansions constructed within the 1900s.
Girvin: One of many most secure seaside cities in Jacksonville is Girvin. Its crime fee is 77% decrease than town’s common which makes it fairly attractive. The world is well-liked with the youthful crowd and has a vigorous nightlife scene.
Frequent Scams in Jacksonville
Fortunately, there aren’t many tourist-related scams in Jacksonville, nonetheless, Florida ranks because the second-worst state for rip-off victims and Jacksonville ranks because the Tenth-worst metropolis for potential rip-off victims. Sadly, many of those scams goal senior residents.
E-mail Scams: E-mail scams are frequent within the Jacksonville space. Potential victims will obtain an electronic mail disguised as a supply service akin to USPS, FedEx, or UPS. They trick you by saying a bundle is delayed and encourage you to click on a hyperlink then present private data or ship cash.
Cellphone Scams: Scams by way of textual content or cell telephones are quite common in Jacksonville. One disturbing rip-off is when the scammer calls a possible sufferer, asks “Are you able to hear me?” and information the decision. They then use your response of “sure” or “no” to try to enroll in providers that solely require a verbal settlement.
LGBTQ+ Security
Jacksonville has a vibrant LGBTQ+ neighborhood, nonetheless, a 2017 examine confirmed that 75% of lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, and transgender adults in Northeast Florida skilled threats, continual disrespect, and harassment due to their gender or sexual orientation.
The outcomes of the examine can be utilized in grant-making selections and the implementation of Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance. This ordinance prohibits discrimination primarily based on race, intercourse, sexual orientation, and gender id. At present, Florida has no such nondiscrimination legal guidelines.
Ingesting Water Security
The faucet water in Jacksonville is completely secure to drink. The JEA (the native water utility) says they take a look at the water greater than 50,000 instances per yr. Although it’s secure to drink, some declare that it has an disagreeable style in areas of town and locals have expressed emotions that extra could possibly be achieved to purify the water.
If you happen to’d like extra particulars on the water’s take a look at outcomes, the JEA releases Water High quality Experiences yearly. You’ll be able to obtain studies relationship again ten years.
Put together For Jacksonville’s Climate
Relying on once you go to, Jacksonville’s climate may be unpredictable at instances. I’ve realized a number of suggestions whereas dwelling in Jacksonville and I’m more than pleased to share them with you.
All the time have an additional layer within the automobile: Preserving a sweatshirt or hoodie within the automobile is one thing I all the time do now. In the summertime, it’s extraordinarily scorching, so that you’ll almost certainly be sporting shorts and a tank high, however many eating places and bars are blasting their A/C and I find yourself freezing. Throughout the winter, it may be sunny and 65 at midday however clouds can shortly roll in inflicting the temperature to drop to lows of 55. In each circumstances, the additional layer is a savior.
By no means depart residence with out sunscreen and bug spray: Florida is generally sunny all yr spherical, so making sunscreen part of your every day routine is essential – not solely once you’re on the seaside. I counsel you to maintain bug spray in your bag as properly; throughout the humid summer season months, the mosquitos and different bugs may be brutal.
A small umbrella is an enormous funding: Thunderstorms and heavy downpours can seem out of nowhere in Jacksonville. One minute it’s sunny, and the following, you might be soaked. I prefer to maintain a small umbrella in my bag throughout the wet season… simply in case.
Be Conscious of Your Environment
Regardless of the place you journey, it’s all the time necessary to concentrate on your environment. Even within the most secure areas of Jacksonville, it’s finest to maintain your senses sharp always. By no means stroll with earbuds, don’t stroll alone at evening, and put on a cross-body bag as a substitute of an over-the-shoulder bag.
Keep Close to Well-liked Points of interest
When staying close to well-liked areas, you are typically in safer and lower-crime areas. Locations like Jacksonville Seaside (and surrounding seaside cities), San Marco, or Southside are nice choices for secure neighborhoods in Jacksonville.
Depart Valuables at Dwelling
Though the possibilities of theft in your go to to Jacksonville are extraordinarily low, it’s all the time sensible to depart costly or sentimental valuables at residence. Issues like rings, designer purses, or laptops are typically gadgets which might be focused for theft.
Plan Forward
Having a sport plan is all the time a good suggestion when touring. “Is it secure in Jacksonville?” is a query that shouldn’t play in your thoughts throughout your go to. That’s why analysis and planning are very important earlier than reserving any flights or lodging.
Dangers & Warnings in Jacksonville
- OVERALL RISK: Medium
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: Low
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: Low
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: Medium
- MUGGING RISK: Medium
- TERRORISM RISK: Medium
- SCAMS RISK: Low
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: Medium
- TAP WATER RISK: Low
Security Information to Locations in Jacksonville
Understanding which neighborhoods and areas are secure and which of them are harmful will maintain you out of hurt’s means once you go to Jax. Under, you’ll discover lists of secure and harmful areas in Jacksonville.
Most secure Locations to Go to in Jacksonville
Security is all the time a precedence once you’re touring. Ebook your resort or guesthouse within the neighborhoods beneath, and also you’ll be capable to relaxation properly at evening.
Eagle Bend: As talked about above, Eagle Bend is by far the most secure neighborhood in Jacksonville. Its crime fee is 94% decrease than town’s. The one draw back is that it’s fairly removed from town heart – touring in will take over half an hour.
Isle of Palms: Simply exterior of Jacksonville Seaside is the gorgeous neighborhood of Isle of Palms. Boasting waterfront properties and a world-class hospital, this space’s crime fee is 76% decrease than town’s.
Cobblestone: The walkable neighborhood of Cobblestone in Northeast Jacksonville is extremely secure. Its crime fee is 80% decrease than town’s.
Locations to Keep away from in Jacksonville
Like every other main metropolis, there are some harmful areas in Jacksonville, however high-crime neighborhoods should not the place a typical vacationer would go to. Downtown and the seashores are very secure. Listed below are a few of the worst neighborhoods in Jacksonville.
twenty ninth and Chase: The neighborhood (not an intersection) of twenty ninth and Chase is an space that ought to be averted. Situated in North Jacksonville, it has a criminal offense fee that’s shockingly 402% greater than the nationwide common. This space makes up a bulk of Jacksonville’s crime.
East Jacksonville: With a criminal offense fee 372% greater than the nationwide common, the world of East Jacksonville isn’t a spot you wish to enterprise to. The variety of crimes dedicated is simply shy of twenty ninth and Chase.
Mid-West Aspect: One other harmful neighborhood in Jacksonville is the Mid-West Aspect. The crime fee is 379% greater than the nationwide common.
Continuously Requested Questions About Jacksonville Security
I’ve explored the neighborhoods, talked to long-time locals, and realized quite a bit about Jacksonville security. Listed below are some frequent questions individuals are likely to have.
Jacksonville’s crime fee is greater than the nationwide common, nonetheless, the high-crime areas should not in areas of curiosity or well-liked vacationer points of interest. Neighborhoods which might be frequent for vacationers to go to are very secure.
The dangerous areas in Jacksonville are twenty ninth & Chase, East Jacksonville, and the Mid-West Aspect.
In secure, tourist-centric neighborhoods, it’s okay to stroll at evening. It’s all the time finest to train warning and solely stroll throughout the day or all the time have somebody with you for those who’re strolling within the night. In sure, extra harmful areas of Jacksonville, it could not be thought of secure to stroll at evening.
Relying on the neighborhood, Jacksonville is secure for solo vacationers. Areas like Jacksonville Seaside, Neptune Seaside, Avondale, and Mandarin are very secure neighborhoods in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville is secure at evening in lots of areas, particularly the seaside cities. Mandarin, Avondale, and the Southside are all very secure at evening.
Keep away from high-crime areas like twenty ninth & Chase, East Jacksonville, and the Mid-West Aspect.
Sure, Jacksonville is secure for households. Seaside cities and San Marco are nice choices for households.
Jacksonville is safer than Miami. The violent crime fee of Jacksonville is 33.9 whereas Miami’s is 48.8.
The most secure a part of Jacksonville is Eagle Bend in North Jacksonville. Different secure areas embrace East Arlington, Isle of Palms, Girvin, and Mandarin.
New York Metropolis is safer than Jacksonville. The violent crime fee of Jacksonville is 33.9 whereas New York’s is 28.2.
The a part of Jacksonville that’s the most harmful is known as twenty ninth & Chase. Different unsafe areas embrace East Jacksonville and the Mid-West Aspect.
The most secure a part of Jacksonville is known as Eagle Bend, about half-hour north of downtown. Different secure areas embrace the seaside cities, Southside, and Mandarin.
Jacksonville’s crime fee is greater than the nationwide common. Violent crime in Jacksonville is 33.9 whereas the nationwide common is 22.7.
Ultimate Ideas – Is Jacksonville Actually Protected?
So, is Jacksonville secure? All in all, Jacksonville is an excellent and secure metropolis for vacationers to go to and for individuals to reside in. Although the info is alarming, it’s necessary to remember that nearly all of crime is happening in particular areas of Jacksonville. Many neighborhoods are very secure and are perfect for a trip, a getaway, or an evening out.
I’ve cherished dwelling in Jacksonville for the previous yr. I’m constantly discovering so many hidden gems throughout town and have by no means felt unsafe within the locations I frequent. If you happen to’re planning a go to or pondering of creating a transfer to town, your security in Jacksonville doesn’t must be a fear or concern.
