Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin the United Kingdom due to terrorism. There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in the United Kingdom.”
Updated Wed, 09 Sep 2026
Full advisory →Fast. Reliable. Free.
Made for travelers, by travelers
United States · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Jacksonville scores 68/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Jacksonville is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though certain neighborhoods have elevated crime risks. The main risks for visitors are robbery (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
United States · Assessed 19 October 2026
68
/ 100
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin the United Kingdom due to terrorism. There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in the United Kingdom.”
Updated Wed, 09 Sep 2026
Full advisory →No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:48:24Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-15T08:53:58.290000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery occur at higher rates in Northwest Jacksonville and some western districts; visitors are rarely targeted but should avoid isolated areas after dark
Pickpocketing
LowPickpocketing is uncommon but can happen in crowded venues like the Jacksonville Landing or during large events; keep bags zipped and front-facing
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
70/100
Feeling safe walking alone in daylight scores 64/100, indicating most visitors report feeling safe during the day, though nighttime safety concerns persist in certain areas.
Yes. Jacksonville is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though certain neighborhoods have elevated crime risks.
Jacksonville's composite safety index is 67/100 (MODERATE), with crime being the primary concern at 55/100. While violent crime has declined since 2023 and tourist areas remain well-patrolled, specific residential neighborhoods experience higher rates of robbery and property crime. Visitors should avoid isolated areas after dark and remain vigilant in crowded venues.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Jacksonville presents a mixed safety picture for travelers. While the city scores 77/100 on the IsMyTripSafe index as of October 2026, indicating general safety for visitors who take normal precautions, crime remains concentrated in specific residential neighborhoods away from tourist zones. The Northwest Jacksonville and western districts experience higher rates of mugging and armed robbery, though visitors are rarely targeted if they avoid isolated areas after dark. Tourist areas like downtown, the beaches, and major attractions benefit from good police presence and are generally safe during daylight hours.
Recent developments include two 'No Kings: Vote Early' rallies held on October 17, 2026, as reported by The Florida Times-Union, and the recognition of Crime Stoppers coordinator Loren Hamilton as September's Community Champion by the Jacksonville Journal-Courier. In August 2026, firstcoastnews.com reported the indictment of 13 alleged gang members and associates on charges including drugs and murder-for-hire. A double shooting during a large gathering in June 2026 left one person dead and another critical, according to News4JAX. These incidents underscore the importance of staying informed about local events and avoiding areas associated with gang activity.
Pickpocketing risk is low but not absent, particularly in crowded venues such as the Jacksonville Landing or during large events. Visitors should keep bags zipped and front-facing in such settings. Scams targeting tourists are uncommon in Jacksonville itself, though Florida ranks among the top states for fraud, with senior citizens often being the primary targets. Practical safety measures include sticking to well-known tourist-friendly areas like Jacksonville Beach or Ponte Vedra Beach, avoiding walking alone at night in higher-risk districts, and maintaining situational awareness in all urban environments. By following these precautions, travelers can enjoy Jacksonville's beaches, cultural attractions, and vibrant downtown with confidence.
Was this Jacksonville, United States report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Jacksonville districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution and 3 best avoided. See them plotted on the Jacksonville safety map.
Northwest JacksonvilleavoidElevated rates of mugging and armed robbery; visitors should avoid isolated areas, especially after dark
MoncriefavoidConsistently high crime activity as of October 2026; avoid walking alone at night
WoodstockavoidHigh crime rates documented in recent local reporting; exercise extreme caution, particularly after dark
Downtown JacksonvillecautionWell-patrolled by day but deserted and less safe at night; avoid walking alone after dark
LaVillacautionHistoric district with safety concerns at night; exercise caution in quieter residential streets after sunset
Jacksonville BeachsaferPopular tourist area with good police presence; petty theft possible in crowds but generally secure
Ponte Vedra BeachsaferUpscale coastal area with low crime rates; considered one of the safest beach communities near Jacksonville
Southside (around Gate Parkway/IKEA)saferWell-developed commercial and residential zone with consistent safety reports from residents and visitors
07 · After Dark
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Mugging and armed robbery occur at higher rates in Northwest Jacksonville and some western districts; visitors are rarely targeted but should avoid isolated areas after dark
After dark, be most careful around Northwest Jacksonville, Moncrief, Woodstock, Downtown Jacksonville. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes. Jacksonville is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though certain neighborhoods have elevated crime risks. Jacksonville's composite safety index is 67/100 (MODERATE), with crime being the primary concern at 55/100. While violent crime has declined since 2023 and tourist areas remain well-patrolled, specific residential neighborhoods experience higher rates of robbery and property crime. Visitors should avoid isolated areas after dark and remain vigilant in crowded venues. (Assessed 19 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Jacksonville report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Field research flags Northwest Jacksonville, Moncrief, Woodstock as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Jacksonville ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 68/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight (and U.S. reports lean more on the latest field research); the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
Keep exploring
Raw data: jacksonville.json (CC BY 4.0).