Is Goulds Safe, Pros and cons of living in Goulds

Goulds, Florida, offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and proximity to the vibrant energy of Miami. This unincorporated community in Miami-Dade County provides a distinct lifestyle for its residents, characterized by a diverse population and a developing economic landscape. Understanding the nuances of living in Goulds requires a look into its safety, cost of living, job market, and overall community environment.

This area presents a picture of a community with a rich cultural tapestry and evolving opportunities. As Goulds continues to grow and change, prospective residents can find valuable insights into what makes this part of South Florida a distinctive place to call home. The following provides a comprehensive overview of Goulds, Florida, to assist in making an informed decision about relocating to this locale.

Is it Safe to Live in Goulds?

The overall crime rate in Goulds is higher than the national average, with a D grade indicating safety concerns (according to CrimeGrade.org). The crime rate stands at 40.73 per 1,000 residents annually. Your likelihood of being a victim of crime can vary significantly by neighborhood within Goulds, ranging from a 1 in 13 chance in the northeast areas to a 1 in 55 chance in the west (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Violent crime rates in Goulds are also a concern, with a rate of 7.547 per 1,000 residents annually (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). This places Goulds in the 7th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than only 7% of U.S. cities. While some residents perceive the western parts of Goulds as safer, the northeast areas experience the highest number of crime incidents, approximately 192 per year (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Cost of Living and Housing

The cost of living in Goulds is approximately 20% higher than the national average (as reported by Redfin). This is influenced by housing costs, which are also significantly above the national median. The median home value in Goulds is $481,200, which is 1.3 times the Florida median (as reported by Florida State Authority).

Rental prices in Goulds are also notable, with the median rent at $1,423 per month (as reported by Florida State Authority). This is 1.2 times the Florida median rent. For perspective, the average apartment rent in May 2026 was $1,483 for a one-bedroom unit and $1,932 for a two-bedroom unit (as reported by Apartments.com). The homeownership rate in Goulds is 56.1%, which is below the U.S. average (as reported by Florida State Authority).

Job Market and Economy

As of April 2026, the average annual salary in Goulds is $40,923, which equates to about $19.67 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income in Goulds was $61,735 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA). Employment in Goulds has seen significant growth, with a 21.6% increase from 2023 to 2024, growing from 5.18k to 6.3k employees (as reported by Data USA).

The most common employment sectors for Goulds residents include Health Care & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Administrative & Support & Waste Management Services (as reported by Data USA). Major employers in the broader South Florida region include entities like Baptist Health South Florida, Florida Power & Light Company, and FedEx (as reported by Life in South FL). The unemployment rate in Miami-Dade County, where Goulds is located, was 2.6% as of January 2026 (as reported by FRED). Florida’s overall unemployment rate was 4.6% in February 2026 (as reported by USAFacts).

Climate and Environment

Goulds experiences a tropical monsoon climate, characterized by long, hot, oppressive, wet, and mostly cloudy summers, and short, comfortable, humid, windy, and mostly clear winters (as reported by IDcide). Over the year, temperatures typically range from 60°F to 89°F and rarely fall below 47°F or exceed 92°F (as reported by IDcide). The hottest month is typically August, with an average high of 89°F and a low of 77°F, while January is the coldest month with an average low of 60°F and a high of 75°F (as reported by IDcide).

The area receives substantial rainfall, with an average annual precipitation of 62 inches (as reported by Livability.com). Summer months tend to be wetter than winter months, with June being the wettest month, averaging 9.99 inches of rain (as reported by IDcide). Snowfall is virtually non-existent in Goulds (as reported by Livability.com).

Demographics and Community

Goulds is a diverse community, with a population of approximately 14,425 people as of 2024 (as reported by Data USA). The racial makeup is varied, with Hispanic individuals constituting 49.7%, Black individuals at 40.0%, and White individuals at 8.5% (as reported by Census Dots). This diversity is a notable characteristic of the area.

The median age in Goulds is 39.3 years (as reported by World Population Review). A significant portion of residents, 36.2%, were born outside the United States, indicating a considerable foreign-born population (as reported by Data USA). The community offers a dense suburban feel, with most residents owning their homes (as reported by Niche).

Education and Schools

Goulds Elementary School, serving grades Pre-K to 5, is part of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools district. It is rated a B by Niche and has a 3/10 GreatSchools Rating (as reported by Homes.com). Niche ranks Goulds Elementary School within the bottom 50% of all public schools in Florida for overall test scores, with math proficiency at 46% and reading proficiency between 50-54% (as reported by Niche).

While the student-teacher ratio at Goulds Elementary is 16:1, which is favorable compared to the Florida state level of 17:1, the school’s academic performance indicates areas for improvement (as reported by Niche). The minority enrollment at Goulds Elementary School is 98% (as reported by Niche).

Pros and Cons of Living in Goulds

Goulds offers a diverse community and a suburban environment with many residents owning their homes (as reported by Niche). It boasts numerous restaurants and parks, contributing to a lively atmosphere. The area’s proximity to Miami provides access to extensive shopping, dining, and entertainment options, such as Southland Mall (as reported by Apartments.com).

However, Goulds faces challenges with its crime rates, which are higher than the national average (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The cost of living and housing prices are also above the national and state medians (as reported by Redfin and Florida State Authority). While the job market shows growth, average salaries may be lower compared to other areas, and public school performance, as indicated by Goulds Elementary, presents concerns (as reported by ZipRecruiter and Niche).