Is Plantation Safe, Pros and cons of living in Plantation

Plantation, Florida, offers a suburban lifestyle within the bustling South Florida metropolitan area. This city provides a blend of residential tranquility and convenient access to urban amenities, making it an attractive option for many seeking a balanced place to live. Its planned community structure and green spaces contribute to a pleasant environment for its residents.

The city’s name originates from the Everglades Plantation Company’s historical attempts to cultivate rice in the region. Today, Plantation stands as a well-established community with a diverse population and a robust local economy. It is a city that balances its historical roots with modern development, aiming to provide a high quality of life for its inhabitants.

Is it Safe to Live in Plantation?

Plantation presents a mixed picture regarding safety, with crime rates that warrant attention. The overall crime rate in Plantation is 17.2% higher than the national average (according to AreaVibes). This translates to approximately 6.67 daily incidents, comprising both violent and property crimes. However, the city’s crime rate is considered slightly lower than the average U.S. city, earning it a “B” grade for safety and placing it in the 66th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 66% of cities (as reported by AreaVibes and CrimeGrade). Residents often find the western parts of the city to be the safest, with a lower chance of being a victim of crime compared to the eastern neighborhoods (as reported by CrimeGrade).

When examining specific crime statistics, the average violent crime rate in Plantation is 634.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 496.9% above the national average. Property crime averages 2,478.9 per 100,000 residents, also significantly higher than the national average at 1415.2% above it (according to FBI crime data). Despite these statistics, the cost of crime per resident in Plantation is $286 per year, which is less than the national average (as reported by CrimeGrade). The total projected cost of crime in Plantation for 2025 is estimated at over $25 million, which accounts for about 0.6% of the median household income (as reported by CrimeGrade).

Demographics and Diversity

Plantation, Florida, is a diverse city with a population of approximately 96,300 residents. The city’s demographic makeup includes a significant portion of individuals born outside the United States, with 30.7% of residents being foreign-born, which is comparable to the national average (as reported by Data USA). The largest ethnic group in Plantation is White (Non-Hispanic), making up 35.7% of the population, followed by Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) at 21.2%, and Hispanic or Latino residents at 30.6% (as reported by Data USA).

The median age in Plantation is around 40.2 years, indicating a population that is relatively mature (as reported by Data USA). The gender distribution shows slightly more females than males, with about 97.6 males for every 100 females. The city’s population has seen steady growth, with an estimated population of 104,997 in 2026, reflecting an annual growth rate of 2.09% since 2020 (as reported by US Population). This growth suggests a continued appeal for individuals and families looking to settle in the area.

Cost of Living and Housing

The cost of living in Plantation is notably higher than the national average, standing at approximately 19% higher overall (as reported by Laurie Finkelstein Reader Real Estate). This elevated cost is largely driven by housing expenses, which are about 42% more expensive than the Florida average. However, Plantation’s housing prices are slightly lower than those found in nearby Miami. The median home price in Plantation is around $575,000 (as reported by Laurie Finkelstein Reader Real Estate), though Zillow reports the average home value at $496,174 as of March 2026, noting a 4.9% decrease over the past year (as reported by Zillow). Some condominium units can be found for as low as $200,000, while larger homes in gated communities can exceed $800,000 (as reported by Laurie Finkelstein Reader Real Estate).

Rental costs in Plantation are also above the state and U.S. averages. The average rent is approximately $2,000 per month, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging around $2,205 per month (as reported by Apartments.com and Zillow). For a two-bedroom apartment, the average rent is about $2,612 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). To comfortably afford the average rent, an annual salary of around $88,200 is recommended, based on the guideline of spending no more than 30% of one’s income on housing (as reported by Apartments.com).

Job Market and Major Employers

Plantation boasts a dynamic job market, employing approximately 51,700 individuals across various sectors. The primary industries providing employment are Health Care & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (as reported by Data USA). Major employers in the city include prominent companies such as Aetna Insurance, Motorola Solutions, TradeStation, and Virgin Voyages, alongside healthcare facilities like Plantation General Hospital and Westside Regional Medical Center (as reported by The Alliance and Indeed.com).

The average annual household income in Plantation was reported as $115,058 in 2024, with a median income of $85,472 (as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau). The average salary across all jobs in Plantation is approximately $67,347 per year, or $32 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). The unemployment rate in Plantation was 3.9% (as reported by Data USA), which is lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Climate and Weather

Plantation, Florida, experiences a warm subtropical climate characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. The average annual temperature ranges from a low of 59°F in January to a high of 91°F in August (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Snowfall is virtually nonexistent in this region. Annual precipitation is substantial, averaging around 65 inches, with a peak in September (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Summers in Plantation are typically long, hot, and humid, often feeling oppressive due to high dew points. The wet season extends from May through October, with September being the wettest month, receiving an average of 232 mm of rainfall over approximately 26 days (as reported by Weather and Climate). Winters are short and generally comfortable, with temperatures rarely dropping below 52°F or exceeding 92°F throughout the year (as reported by Weather and Climate).

Education and Schools

Plantation is served by the Broward County School District, which includes a range of educational institutions. Among the top-performing schools are Imagine Schools Plantation Campus, a charter school with high test scores and a 5-star rating, and Central Park Elementary and Tropical Elementary, which rank in the top 40% of Florida elementary schools (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). These schools generally outperform district and state averages in various subjects.

However, Plantation’s two high schools, South Plantation High School and Plantation High School, have graduation rates slightly below the state average. Additionally, both middle schools in the area, Seminole Middle School and Plantation Middle School, show lower rankings and test scores compared to the elementary schools. A notable concern across all schools in Plantation is a trend of high chronic absenteeism rates (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).