Safety
Safety in Jacksonville
Feeling safe in a new city starts with knowing what to expect and where to find trusted resources. In Jacksonville, residents have access to public-safety tools, neighborhood programs, emergency alerts, hurricane preparedness guidance and official evacuation resources designed to help them stay informed. Whether you’re looking to find the safest neighborhoods, planning for storm season or preparing your household for everyday life, living in Jacksonville means having access to clear safety resources, the right local agencies and everything you need to feel confident before you arrive.
Facts & Rankings
89%
of Jacksonville Residents Feel Safe in their Neighborhoods
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) Community Survey, 2024
Know Before You Move
Before choosing your new home, dive into our relocation guide for everything you need to make your move to JAX with confidence.
Tabbed Content
When trying to understand the Jacksonville area’s total crime rate, it’s important to take several things into consideration. The overall crime rate is influenced by the type of crime and will vary when looking at different parts of Jacksonville. And, crime rates may seem high until you take into account the size of the region — at over 800 square miles, Jacksonville is the largest city by land area in the contiguous U.S., meaning data will skew relatively higher.
- Violent crime decreased 14% in 2024.
- Property crime decreased 3% in 2024.
- Vehicle theft and burglary make up a large percentage of property crime, but have decreased 30% in Florida compared to the previous year by the end of 2025.
- Downtown Jacksonville’s crime rate is 19% below the national average compared to other large U.S. cities with higher crime rates.
Covering nearly 900 square miles, Jacksonville, Florida is the 5th largest city in the United States by land, and the metro area is home to 1.7 million residents. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) covers six districts that make up the city and works to reduce crime through policing and community engagement.
Community safety programs like Sheriff’s Watch include neighborhood watch opportunities, monthly meetings, apartment safety programs and business safety programs. The program is designed to encourage residents to work with law enforcement and report suspicious activity, creating safer and more connected communities.
When it comes to reducing crime, there are a few easy safety tips to implement. Don’t leave cars running and unattended. Home security systems, signs and security cameras can be effective ways to deter property crime and vandalism. Residents can even register their cameras with the JSO to help prevent or solve crime.
In Jacksonville, safety also means being prepared for hurricanes, flooding and severe weather. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, making storm planning an important part of life in Northeast Florida.
Jacksonville and the state of Florida as a whole are invested in helping residents recover if impacted by hurricanes or natural disasters. The state’s Hurricane Catastrophe Trust Fund has an annual budget of $7 million dollars to help aid recovery and prevent future loss. Groups like United Way also provide assistance to residents in need, creating strong community connection and support.
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Moving Here
Want to actually enjoy life outside the office? The water-based lifestyle of the First Coast naturally flows into a work-life balance that you can feel.
Communities
Northeast Florida includes seven counties, each with their own unique livability attributes but as connected as the ocean tides.
Climate & Geography
When it comes to state mottos, Florida delivers, and Jacksonville helps keep that promise.
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