When planning any journey, you need to ensure that wherever you’re going is protected. So, is Jacksonville protected? After visiting the town for 5 years and residing right here full-time for a yr, I can inform you that Jacksonville is a superbly protected place to go to for vacationers. Identical to all massive cities, you simply must know which areas to go to and which areas to keep away from in Jacksonville.
In line with U.S. Information, Jacksonville was ranked #16 on the “Finest Locations to Dwell” in america. It’s really an exquisite metropolis with heaps 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 general security.
Is Jacksonville Secure 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 protected and are identified for his or her low crime charges.
The climate generally is a bit intense throughout the wet months (August and September), so correct journey planning is certainly suggested. Flights may be delayed and highway journey could be harmful at instances, nevertheless, inclement climate normally passes pretty rapidly in Jacksonville.
I really like residing 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 significantly from season to season. Most individuals assume Florida is heat all yr spherical, and whereas the summers are scorching and humid, the winters are literally fairly cool. In truth, over the course of a yr, the temperature varies from 46 to 95 levels.
Count on heavy downpours and thunderstorms throughout the scorching summer time months, and crisp, shiny 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 residing in Jacksonville is that simply while you’ve had sufficient sunshine, you get aid from a little bit 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 excellent.
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 Might to September. Heavy rainfall, lightning, damaging winds, hail, and even tornadoes are potential. July by means of September is the height of the moist and stormy season.
In September of 1964, Hurricane Dora brought on 14 inches of rain that resulted in horrific flooding across the metropolis of Jacksonville. Nevertheless, 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, nevertheless, the season usually peaks between mid-August and late October. Fortunately, because of Jacksonville’s location, hurricanes and tropical storms are inclined to miss the town, and vital harm is normally prevented. The 2 storms talked about above are the most important to hit the 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 protected metropolis to go to – in fact, as with every giant metropolis, sure areas ought to be prevented. 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 serious metropolis, guests must do their analysis and know which locations are protected and which areas ought to be prevented. Practically all vacationer and standard points of interest, occasions, and eating places are positioned in protected areas of Jacksonville.
Crime in Jacksonville
The statistics for crime and security in Jacksonville are a little bit putting and aren’t a correct illustration of the favored vacationer spots of the town. Nevertheless, because of excessive crime in sure areas, the numbers generally is 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 line with Neighborhood Scout, Jacksonville was given a complete crime index of 8, which suggests it’s safer than 8% of U.S. neighborhoods. The crime price is roughly 33.76 (per 1,000 residents) with 6.87 being violent crimes. Compared, the violent crime price within the U.S. is roughly 5.6.
CrimeGrade.org offers Jacksonville a criminal offense grade of “C,” which is across the similar common as different main U.S. cities. Additionally they place Jacksonville within the forty fifth percentile for security which suggests 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 protected areas in Jacksonville and methods to make sure your security and luxury whereas visiting the town. In 2021, the 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 effectively, so I’ve been in a position to get a very good gauge of which neighborhoods are the most secure. Listed here are some insights and tips on security in Jacksonville that I’ve gathered over time.
Secure Neighborhoods and Areas in Jacksonville
Jacksonville is an enormous, sprawling metropolis with dozens of neighborhoods. Throughout the Jax metropolis limits, there are additionally numerous very protected 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 price 94% decrease than the town’s common. It’s an exquisite neighborhood surrounded by nature and it’s additionally very inexpensive.
Ortega Forest: With a criminal offense price 81% decrease than the Jacksonville common, the prosperous space of Ortega Forest on the west facet of the town could be very protected. 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 price is 77% decrease than the town’s common which makes it fairly engaging. The realm is standard with the youthful crowd and has a energetic nightlife scene.
Frequent Scams in Jacksonville
Fortunately, there aren’t many tourist-related scams in Jacksonville, nevertheless, 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 e-mail disguised as a supply service resembling USPS, FedEx, or UPS. They trick you by saying a package deal is delayed and encourage you to click on a hyperlink then present private info or ship cash.
Telephone 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 data the decision. They then use your response of “sure” or “no” to aim to enroll in companies that solely require a verbal settlement.
LGBTQ+ Security
Jacksonville has a vibrant LGBTQ+ group, nevertheless, a 2017 examine confirmed that 75% of lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, and transgender adults in Northeast Florida skilled threats, power disrespect, and harassment due to their gender or sexual orientation.
The outcomes of the examine might be utilized in grant-making choices and the implementation of Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance. This ordinance prohibits discrimination based mostly on race, intercourse, sexual orientation, and gender id. At present, Florida has no such nondiscrimination legal guidelines.
Consuming Water Security
The faucet water in Jacksonville is completely protected to drink. The JEA (the native water utility) says they take a look at the water greater than 50,000 instances per yr. Though it’s protected to drink, some declare that it has an disagreeable style in areas of the town and locals have expressed emotions that extra may very well be finished to purify the water.
When you’d like extra particulars on the water’s take a look at outcomes, the JEA releases Water High quality Reviews yearly. You possibly can obtain stories relationship again ten years.
Put together For Jacksonville’s Climate
Relying on while you go to, Jacksonville’s climate may be unpredictable at instances. I’ve discovered a couple of ideas whereas residing in Jacksonville and I’m more than pleased to share them with you.
All the time have an additional layer within the automotive: Retaining a sweatshirt or hoodie within the automotive is one thing I all the time do now. In the summertime, it’s extraordinarily scorching, so that you’ll almost certainly be carrying 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 could be sunny and 65 at midday however clouds can rapidly roll in inflicting the temperature to drop to lows of 55. In each circumstances, the additional layer is a savior.
By no means depart dwelling 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 while you’re on the seaside. I counsel you to maintain bug spray in your bag as effectively; throughout the humid summer time months, the mosquitos and different bugs may be brutal.
A small umbrella is a giant funding: Thunderstorms and heavy downpours can seem out of nowhere in Jacksonville. One minute it’s sunny, and the following, you could possibly be soaked. I prefer to maintain a small umbrella in my bag throughout the wet season… simply in case.
Be Conscious of Your Environment
Irrespective of the place you journey, it’s all the time necessary to pay attention to your environment. Even within the most secure areas of Jacksonville, it’s greatest 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 an alternative of an over-the-shoulder bag.
Keep Close to Well-liked Sights
When staying close to standard places, 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 protected neighborhoods in Jacksonville.
Go away Valuables at House
Though the probabilities of theft in your go to to Jacksonville are extraordinarily low, it’s all the time clever to depart costly or sentimental valuables at dwelling. Issues like rings, designer purses, or laptops are typically gadgets which are focused for theft.
Plan Forward
Having a sport plan is all the time a good suggestion when touring. “Is it protected 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
Realizing which neighborhoods and areas are protected and which of them are harmful will maintain you out of hurt’s approach while you go to Jax. Under, you’ll discover lists of protected and harmful areas in Jacksonville.
Most secure Locations to Go to in Jacksonville
Security is all the time a precedence while you’re touring. E-book your resort or guesthouse within the neighborhoods beneath, and also you’ll be capable of relaxation effectively at evening.
Eagle Bend: As talked about above, Eagle Bend is by far the most secure neighborhood in Jacksonville. Its crime price is 94% decrease than the town’s. The one draw back is that it’s fairly removed from the town middle – 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 price is 76% decrease than the town’s.
Cobblestone: The walkable neighborhood of Cobblestone in Northeast Jacksonville is extremely protected. Its crime price is 80% decrease than the town’s.
Locations to Keep away from in Jacksonville
Like some other main metropolis, there are some harmful areas in Jacksonville, however high-crime neighborhoods are usually not the place a typical vacationer would go to. Downtown and the seashores are very protected. Listed here 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 prevented. Positioned in North Jacksonville, it has a criminal offense price that’s shockingly 402% larger than the nationwide common. This space makes up a bulk of Jacksonville’s crime.
East Jacksonville: With a criminal offense price 372% larger than the nationwide common, the world of East Jacksonville isn’t a spot you need to enterprise to. The variety of crimes dedicated is simply shy of twenty ninth and Chase.
Mid-West Facet: One other harmful neighborhood in Jacksonville is the Mid-West Facet. The crime price is 379% larger than the nationwide common.
Regularly Requested Questions About Jacksonville Security
I’ve explored the neighborhoods, talked to long-time locals, and discovered quite a bit about Jacksonville security. Listed here are some frequent questions folks are inclined to have.
Jacksonville’s crime price is larger than the nationwide common, nevertheless, the high-crime areas are usually not in areas of curiosity or standard vacationer points of interest. Neighborhoods which are frequent for vacationers to go to are very protected.
The dangerous areas in Jacksonville are twenty ninth & Chase, East Jacksonville, and the Mid-West Facet.
In protected, tourist-centric neighborhoods, it’s okay to stroll at evening. It’s all the time greatest to train warning and solely stroll throughout the day or all the time have somebody with you if you happen to’re strolling within the night. In sure, extra harmful areas of Jacksonville, it might not be thought of protected to stroll at evening.
Relying on the neighborhood, Jacksonville is protected for solo vacationers. Areas like Jacksonville Seaside, Neptune Seaside, Avondale, and Mandarin are very protected neighborhoods in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville is protected at evening in lots of areas, particularly the seaside cities. Mandarin, Avondale, and the Southside are all very protected at evening.
Keep away from high-crime areas like twenty ninth & Chase, East Jacksonville, and the Mid-West Facet.
Sure, Jacksonville is protected for households. Seaside cities and San Marco are nice choices for households.
Jacksonville is safer than Miami. The violent crime price 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 protected areas embody East Arlington, Isle of Palms, Girvin, and Mandarin.
New York Metropolis is safer than Jacksonville. The violent crime price of Jacksonville is 33.9 whereas New York’s is 28.2.
The a part of Jacksonville that’s the most harmful known as twenty ninth & Chase. Different unsafe areas embody East Jacksonville and the Mid-West Facet.
The most secure a part of Jacksonville known as Eagle Bend, about half-hour north of downtown. Different protected areas embody the seaside cities, Southside, and Mandarin.
Jacksonville’s crime price is larger than the nationwide common. Violent crime in Jacksonville is 33.9 whereas the nationwide common is 22.7.
Last Ideas – Is Jacksonville Actually Secure?
So, is Jacksonville protected? All in all, Jacksonville is a superb and protected metropolis for vacationers to go to and for folks to reside in. Though the information is alarming, it’s necessary to needless to say nearly all of crime is going on in particular areas of Jacksonville. Many neighborhoods are very protected and are perfect for a trip, a getaway, or an evening out.
I’ve cherished residing in Jacksonville for the previous yr. I’m repeatedly discovering so many hidden gems throughout the town and have by no means felt unsafe within the locations I frequent. When you’re planning a go to or pondering of creating a transfer to the town, your security in Jacksonville doesn’t need to be a fear or concern.
