Pinellas County is a coastal region in Florida, with a population of over 959,000 people, and is known for its popular tourist spots such as Clearwater Beach, St. Petersburg, and Tarpon Springs. However, not every location in Pinellas County is equally safe and pleasant.
Some communities face high crime rates, poor income levels, bad housing conditions, and a worse quality of life. This article examines the five least desirable neighborhoods in Pinellas County, Florida, using data from the United States Census Bureau, the Pinellas County Crime Viewer, and Niche.com.
1. Greenwood
Based on available statistics, Greenwood emerges as Pinellas County’s most tough neighborhood. This Clearwater area has around 5,000 people and is located close to downtown Clearwater. Greenwood has a typical household income of $26,000, which is much lower than the city’s average of $50,000.
In 2020, Greenwood had a high crime rate of 103 violent crimes and 494 property crimes per 10,000 people. Greenwood’s overall niche grade is a very low F, with negative ratings in areas like as public schools, housing, diversity, and nightlife.
2. Jordan Park
Jordan Park, located north of Childs Park, is another St. Petersburg neighborhood with a population of around 2,000 people. The typical household income is $25,000, the lowest in the county. Jordan Park has a significantly high 46% poverty rate and a very low homeownership rate of 28%.
In 2020, the area had a serious crime problem, with 92 violent crimes and 467 property crimes per 10,000 people. Jordan Park’s overall niche grade is a very low F, with low marks in public schools, housing, diversity, and entertainment.
3. Highpoint
Highpoint, another CDP in Pinellas County, with around 7,000 people is located between Largo and Clearwater. It has one of the county’s lowest median household incomes, at $33,000. Highpoint has a considerably high poverty rate of 34% and a very low homeownership percentage (37%).
In 2020, the area experienced a serious crime issue, with 54 violent crimes and 374 property crimes per 10,000 people. Highpoint’s overall niche grade is an F, with low marks for public schools, housing, diversity, and nightlife.
4. Childs Park
As of 2010, about 15,000 people lived in the St. Petersburg area Childs Park, which is located south of Central Avenue. The typical family income there is $30,000. This is the lowest in the city. Childs Park has a high rate of poverty (31%), and only 48% of people who live there own their own homes.
In 2020, there were 80 serious crimes and 411 property crimes for every 10,000 people living there. Overall, Childs Park gets a very low F for its special grade. It also gets low marks for things like public schools, housing, diversity, and nightlife.
5. Lealman
About 20,000 people live in Lealman, which is a census-designated place (CDP) in Pinellas County. Lealman is between St. Petersburg and Pinellas Park. The typical family income there is $36,000, which is less than the average for the county, which is $60,000. A high percentage of people in this neighborhood are poor (23%), and only 53% of people who live there own their own homes.
Lealman had a higher crime rate than the rest of the county in 2020, with 263 property crimes and 38 serious crimes per 10,000 people. It gets a really bad D for its total niche grade because it does badly in areas like public schools, housing, diversity, and nightlife.