Top 10 most dangerous cities in Florida

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Florida, known for its sunny beaches, vibrant cities, and diverse culture, is a state that offers a wealth of experiences. From the theme parks of Orlando to the nightlife of Miami, Florida attracts millions of visitors each year. The state's natural beauty is showcased in places like the Everglades and the Florida Keys, providing ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Despite its many attractions, Florida faces safety challenges in certain urban areas. The most dangerous cities in Florida are identified by their violent crime rates per 100,000 people, highlighting regions where extra caution is necessary. The contrast between Florida's tourist appeal and urban crime issues underscores the complexities of living in this dynamic state.

Efforts to improve safety in Florida's cities involve a combination of increased law enforcement and community-based programs aimed at preventing violence and crime. These initiatives are essential in addressing the safety concerns that affect some of the most dangerous cities in Florida. While these areas present significant challenges, they also highlight the potential for community-driven solutions and revitalization efforts. Florida's commitment to fostering safer environments is evident in its proactive measures and the resilience of its residents. The state's blend of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and economic opportunities continues to attract people, despite the complexities of urban safety concerns.

Florida City Population: 11,855 1,709 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 4.68 chance of being a victim: 1 in 59 Total Crimes / 100k: 7,550

Florida City, FL holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Florida with 1,709 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (1,260), robbery (297), rape (120) and homicide (32) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 489% higher than the Florida average. Contributing to these numbers could be the higher than average rates of poverty, unemployment, and gang activity. Ongoing efforts from local law enforcement and the community have been created to help reduce the crime rates going forward.

Belle Glade Population: 19,829 1,119 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.06 chance of being a victim: 1 in 89 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,189

The second most dangerous city is Belle Glade. With a population of 19,829 and a violent crime rate that is 285% higher than the Florida average, the city has seen better days. The higher than average crime rates in Belle Glade are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 1,119 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the last calendar year. In some areas, the riks are greater than others, as residents have a 1 in 89 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Pahokee Population: 6,286 1,081 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.96 chance of being a victim: 1 in 93 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,360

Home to 6,286 residents, Pahokee, FL ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Florida. Unfortunately for residents of Pahokee, crime is widespread, with more than 1,081 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 2.96 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 272% higher than the Florida violent crime rate.

South Bay Population: 6,665 980 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.69 chance of being a victim: 1 in 102 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,308

With a violent crime rate that is 238% higher than the Florida average, it's not hard to see why South Bay made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (20), assault (939), rape (20) and homicide (0). In regions where employment opportunities are scarce or where many jobs offer insufficient wages, the risk of increased unemployment and homelessness rises, this could be just some of the triggers that make South Bay more vulnerable to high crime.

Riviera Beach Population: 35,025 966 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.65 chance of being a victim: 1 in 104 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,967

The ongoing battle with crime in Riviera Beach, FL, is not a new issue - which is why there's no surprise that this city has made the list. With a violent crime rate of 966 and a 1 in 104 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Riviera Beach has a violent crime rate that is 233% higher than the Florida average. Higher than average poverty and unemployment rates as well as a lack of available well-paying jobs, are most likely all contributing to the high rate of violent crime in Riviera Beach.

Lake Worth Population: 36,838 933 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.56 chance of being a victim: 1 in 107 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,785

Lake Worth, FL comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 933 per 100,000 people, which is 222% higher than the Florida average. Lake Worth has a population of 36,838, which translates to 2.56 crimes per day and 1 in 107 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. As with most cities, a high violent crime rate does not mean that all areas are unsafe, as there are definitely some areas in Lake Worth which are much safer than others.

Perry Population: 6,884 898 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.46 chance of being a victim: 1 in 111 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,932

A 1 in 111 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 2.46 violent crimes per day - those are some fairly good reasons why Perry makes the list at #7. According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 898 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 209% higher than the Florida average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (670), robbery (114), rape (114) and homicide (0).

Gainesville Population: 133,611 739 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.02 chance of being a victim: 1 in 135 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,608

Gainesville, FL is another one of the most dangerous cities in Florida and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 133,611 and a violent crime rate of 739 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 508 counts of assault, 119 counts of robbery, 101 counts of rape and 11 counts of homicide. All told, the Gainesville violent crime rate is 155% higher than the Florida average.

Panama City Population: 35,952 734 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.01 chance of being a victim: 1 in 136 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,312

Economic conditions, education, social environment, law enforcement and urbanization can all have an impact on crime rates. Feeling the effects of most of those issues, Panama City, FL comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Florida with a violent crime rate of 734 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 2.01 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 136 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

South Miami Population: 11,958 714 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.96 chance of being a victim: 1 in 140 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,268

Rounding out our list at #10 is South Miami, FL. With a population of 11,958 and a violent crime rate of 714 per 100,000 people (146% higher than the Florida average), some parts of South Miami are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 542 counts of assault, 155 counts of robbery, 17 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 140 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Full list of the most dangerous cities in Florida

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Florida City	11,855	1,709	7,550
2	Belle Glade	19,829	1,119	4,189
3	Pahokee	6,286	1,081	4,360
4	South Bay	6,665	980	3,308
5	Riviera Beach	35,025	966	3,967
6	Lake Worth	36,838	933	3,785
7	Perry	6,884	898	3,932
8	Gainesville	133,611	739	3,608
9	Panama City	35,952	734	3,312
10	South Miami	11,958	714	3,268
11	West Palm Beach	111,006	699	3,022
12	Springfield	9,004	657	3,116
13	North Miami Beach	42,824	640	3,328
14	Sanford	60,337	621	3,401
15	Bradenton	57,346	608	2,492
16	Lake Park	8,541	604	6,966
17	Palatka	10,388	602	3,903
18	St. Petersburg	264,001	579	3,257
19	Palmetto	13,678	552	3,031
20	Ocala	60,021	547	3,512
21	Fort Pierce	45,855	541	2,474
22	Brooksville	8,384	530	3,752
23	Miami	461,080	492	3,437
24	DeFuniak Springs	6,696	468	2,354
25	Tampa	395,912	460	2,115
26	Fort Walton Beach	22,144	452	2,087
27	Boynton Beach	78,060	443	2,885
28	Apopka	52,795	420	3,177
29	Lake Wales	16,515	403	2,761
30	Leesburg	23,142	390	2,603
31	Bartow	19,762	384	2,631
32	Mascotte	6,031	368	1,645
33	Key West	24,495	361	2,486
34	Casselberry	28,502	342	2,672
35	Clearwater	115,975	340	2,174
36	St. Augustine	15,065	337	2,961
37	Altamonte Springs	43,969	332	2,592
38	Okeechobee	5,574	326	3,022
39	Largo	84,666	325	2,485
40	Winter Haven	42,933	324	2,013
41	Palm Bay	113,751	317	1,341
42	Green Cove Springs	8,283	316	1,550
43	West Miami	8,152	291	1,569
44	Greenacres	41,242	279	1,680
45	Treasure Island	6,910	275	2,381
46	Temple Terrace	26,901	269	1,963
47	Titusville	46,307	262	1,105
48	Auburndale	16,230	258	2,304
49	Plantation	94,366	253	2,730
50	St. Pete Beach	9,603	251	2,819

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the most dangerous cities in Florida is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime data (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) per 100,000 people and only included Florida cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying violent crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Violent Crime By State

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Explore our interactive map to discover the most dangerous cities in each state across the USA. This map highlights the states with the highest crime rates, providing insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. From urban centers facing economic hardships to regions grappling with social challenges, the map offers a visual representation of crime hotspots. Click on each state to learn more about its most dangerous cities, the types of crimes most prevalent, and the underlying causes behind these issues.