Top 10 most dangerous cities in Florida

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.

Belle Glade Population: 19,829 1,310 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.59 chance of being a victim: 1 in 76 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,701

Belle Glade, FL holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Florida with 1,310 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (1,058), robbery (102), rape (114) and homicide (36) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 406% 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.

Marianna Population: 6,607 1,183 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.24 chance of being a victim: 1 in 85 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,854

The second most dangerous city is Marianna. With a population of 6,607 and a violent crime rate that is 357% higher than the Florida average, the city has seen better days. The higher than average crime rates in Marianna are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 1,183 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 85 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Cocoa Population: 20,151 1,086 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.97 chance of being a victim: 1 in 92 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,882

Home to 20,151 residents, Cocoa, FL ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Florida. Unfortunately for residents of Cocoa, crime is widespread, with more than 1,086 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 2.97 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 319% higher than the Florida violent crime rate.

Miami Beach Population: 89,439 1,074 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.94 chance of being a victim: 1 in 93 Total Crimes / 100k: 9,632

With a violent crime rate that is 315% higher than the Florida average, it's not hard to see why Miami Beach made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (307), assault (623), rape (138) and homicide (6). 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 Miami Beach more vulnerable to high crime.

South Bay Population: 6,665 966 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.65 chance of being a victim: 1 in 104 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,403

The ongoing battle with crime in South Bay, 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), South Bay has a violent crime rate that is 273% 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 South Bay.

Homestead Population: 68,937 934 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.56 chance of being a victim: 1 in 107 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,211

Homestead, FL comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 934 per 100,000 people, which is 261% higher than the Florida average. Homestead has a population of 68,937, 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 Homestead which are much safer than others.

Daytona Beach Population: 68,711 928 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.54 chance of being a victim: 1 in 108 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,603

A 1 in 108 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 2.54 violent crimes per day - those are some fairly good reasons why Daytona Beach makes the list at #7. According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 928 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 259% higher than the Florida average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (756), robbery (84), rape (71) and homicide (17).

Riviera Beach Population: 35,025 895 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.45 chance of being a victim: 1 in 112 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,870

Riviera Beach, FL is another one of the most dangerous cities in Florida and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 35,025 and a violent crime rate of 895 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 685 counts of assault, 122 counts of robbery, 60 counts of rape and 29 counts of homicide. All told, the Riviera Beach violent crime rate is 246% higher than the Florida average.

Orlando Population: 284,817 836 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.29 chance of being a victim: 1 in 120 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,864

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, Orlando, FL comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Florida with a violent crime rate of 836 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 2.29 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 120 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Pahokee Population: 6,286 822 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.25 chance of being a victim: 1 in 122 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,062

Rounding out our list at #10 is Pahokee, FL. With a population of 6,286 and a violent crime rate of 822 per 100,000 people (217% higher than the Florida average), some parts of Pahokee are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 616 counts of assault, 112 counts of robbery, 37 counts of rape and 56 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 122 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	Belle Glade	19,829	1,310	3,701
2	Marianna	6,607	1,183	3,854
3	Cocoa	20,151	1,086	5,882
4	Miami Beach	89,439	1,074	9,632
5	South Bay	6,665	966	2,403
6	Homestead	68,937	934	3,211
7	Daytona Beach	68,711	928	3,603
8	Riviera Beach	35,025	895	3,870
9	Orlando	284,817	836	4,864
10	Pahokee	6,286	822	3,062
11	North Miami	62,468	749	3,583
12	Springfield	9,004	746	3,257
13	New Port Richey	16,542	701	3,229
14	Lake Worth	36,838	693	2,969
15	Panama City	35,952	678	3,586
16	Lake Park	8,541	662	6,724
17	Sarasota	57,787	659	3,803
18	St. Petersburg	264,001	629	3,292
19	Brooksville	8,384	613	3,818
20	Lake Wales	16,515	601	3,180
21	Sanford	60,337	579	3,544
22	Palatka	10,388	566	4,029
23	South Miami	11,958	560	3,035
24	Apopka	52,795	558	3,371
25	Fort Pierce	45,855	544	2,403
26	Arcadia	8,187	540	5,403
27	Plant City	39,437	540	2,502
28	Titusville	46,307	539	2,334
29	DeFuniak Springs	6,696	529	2,840
30	Tampa	395,912	497	2,170
31	Key West	24,495	478	2,774
32	Palmetto	13,678	463	3,047
33	Bradenton	57,346	453	2,264
34	Bartow	19,762	423	2,241
35	Mascotte	6,031	414	1,543
36	Kissimmee	72,410	409	2,104
37	Clearwater	115,975	396	2,295
38	Altamonte Springs	43,969	395	2,692
39	DeLand	33,620	383	2,184
40	Largo	84,666	361	2,648
41	St. Augustine	15,065	336	2,951
42	Longwood	15,514	333	2,360
43	Greenacres	41,242	322	1,693
44	Winter Haven	42,933	317	1,962
45	Casselberry	28,502	314	2,947
46	Auburndale	16,230	312	2,728
47	Holly Hill	12,259	307	1,794
48	Winter Park	30,764	304	2,260
49	Temple Terrace	26,901	296	2,139
50	Pinellas Park	53,486	288	3,399

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.