Safest cities in Florida

Known as the 'Sunshine State,' Florida is renowned for its warm climate, beautiful beaches, and vibrant cultural scene. Located in the southeastern United States, Florida boasts a diverse geography that includes the Everglades, expansive coastlines, and numerous lakes and rivers. The state's economy is robust, driven by tourism, agriculture, aerospace, and international trade. Major cities like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa are economic and cultural hubs, offering a wide array of attractions, including theme parks, art galleries, and music festivals. Florida is also home to world-famous beaches, such as those in Miami Beach and the Florida Keys, drawing millions of visitors each year.

The safest cities in Florida offer residents a high quality of life with low crime rates, enhancing the overall livability of these communities. Safety is a crucial factor in fostering strong, thriving neighborhoods where residents can feel secure. Factors contributing to the safety of Florida's cities include effective law enforcement, community policing efforts, and active local involvement in public safety initiatives. These cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, ensuring an accurate assessment of safety. With this focus on security, residents can fully enjoy Florida's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the constant concern of crime.

Tavares Population: 17,228 519 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 59 Property Crime / 100k: 459 chance of being a victim: 1 in 193

Tavares proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Florida. With only 519 crimes per 100,000 people, Tavares has a crime rate that is 80% lower than the Florida average. This equates to an average of 0.29 crimes per day and a 1 in 193 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

St. Augustine Beach Population: 7,010 563 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 28 Property Crime / 100k: 535 chance of being a victim: 1 in 178

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, St. Augustine Beach comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Florida with a crime rate of 563 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 14 counts of burglary, 521 counts of theft, 0 counts of vehicle theft, 28 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in St. Augustine Beach, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Marco Island Population: 17,963 607 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 87 Property Crime / 100k: 521 chance of being a victim: 1 in 165

With a population of 17,963 and a total crime rate of 607 per 100,000 residents, Marco Island is the 3rd safest city in Florida. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 84% lower than the Florida average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Flagler Beach Population: 5,065 672 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 56 Property Crime / 100k: 616 chance of being a victim: 1 in 149

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Flagler Beach is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 672, 95% lower than the Florida average. This amounts to 0.10 crimes per day and a 1 in 149 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Flagler Beach a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Oviedo Population: 41,062 697 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 90 Property Crime / 100k: 607 chance of being a victim: 1 in 143

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Oviedo consistently ranks high in safety. In Oviedo, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 697, which is 61% lower than the state average.

Davenport Population: 5,420 702 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 48 Property Crime / 100k: 654 chance of being a victim: 1 in 142

Davenport has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Florida. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 702 crimes per 100,000 people, 88% lower than the Florida average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 210 reports of burglary, 395 reports of theft, 48 reports of vehicle theft, 48 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 0 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Bay Harbor Islands Population: 5,832 780 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 53 Property Crime / 100k: 726 chance of being a victim: 1 in 128

Bay Harbor Islands ranks as the seventh safest city in Florida and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 128 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.12 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Bay Harbor Islands’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Florida.

Longboat Key Population: 7,299 811 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 52 Property Crime / 100k: 758 chance of being a victim: 1 in 123

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Longboat Key is the 8th safest city in Florida. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 92% lower than the Florida average, reporting a total of 811 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Indian Harbour Beach Population: 8,509 849 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 89 Property Crime / 100k: 760 chance of being a victim: 1 in 118

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Indian Harbour Beach is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Florida, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 849 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 91% lower than the state average.

Port St. Lucie Population: 195,773 878 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 117 Property Crime / 100k: 762 chance of being a victim: 1 in 114

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Florida, is Port St. Lucie. With a low rate of crime that included 74 burglaries, 650 thefts, 38 vehicle thefts, 91 assaults, 13 robberies, 10 rapes and 3 homicides, the overall crime rate was 129% higher than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Florida

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Tavares	17,228	59	459	519
2	St. Augustine Beach	7,010	28	535	563
3	Marco Island	17,963	87	521	607
4	Flagler Beach	5,065	56	616	672
5	Oviedo	41,062	90	607	697
6	Davenport	5,420	48	654	702
7	Bay Harbor Islands	5,832	53	726	780
8	Longboat Key	7,299	52	758	811
9	Indian Harbour Beach	8,509	89	760	849
10	Port St. Lucie	195,773	117	762	878
11	Satellite Beach	11,000	106	868	974
12	Sebastian	25,613	65	910	975
13	New Smyrna Beach	27,207	166	845	1,011
14	Lake Alfred	5,993	91	953	1,043
15	North Port	68,779	120	944	1,063
16	Wellington	64,990	129	988	1,117
17	Haines City	25,178	132	989	1,121
18	Fellsmere	5,692	221	1,004	1,225
19	St. Cloud	53,132	233	1,005	1,238
20	West Miami	8,152	232	1,027	1,259
21	Sunny Isles Beach	21,853	87	1,196	1,283
22	Neptune Beach	7,214	129	1,191	1,320
23	Lake Mary	16,987	128	1,208	1,336
24	Port Orange	63,815	45	1,309	1,354
25	Atlantic Beach	13,831	167	1,198	1,365
26	Clermont	36,757	155	1,249	1,404
27	Lighthouse Point	11,238	78	1,391	1,468
28	Royal Palm Beach	39,615	210	1,290	1,500
29	South Daytona	13,098	190	1,349	1,539
30	Mascotte	6,031	414	1,129	1,543
31	West Melbourne	23,454	233	1,338	1,571
32	Naples	21,750	107	1,556	1,663
33	Greenacres	41,242	322	1,371	1,693
34	Holly Hill	12,259	307	1,488	1,794
35	Milton	10,259	121	1,729	1,850
36	Doral	62,367	160	1,717	1,876
37	Maitland	17,749	173	1,776	1,949
38	Winter Haven	42,933	317	1,645	1,962
39	Ormond Beach	43,245	180	1,856	2,036
40	Hialeah Gardens	23,546	272	1,793	2,064
41	Kissimmee	72,410	409	1,695	2,104
42	Temple Terrace	26,901	296	1,844	2,139
43	Tampa	395,912	497	1,674	2,170
44	DeLand	33,620	383	1,801	2,184
45	Bartow	19,762	423	1,818	2,241
46	Winter Park	30,764	304	1,956	2,260
47	Bradenton	57,346	453	1,811	2,264
48	Surfside	5,665	92	2,178	2,270
49	Clearwater	115,975	396	1,899	2,295
50	Titusville	46,307	539	1,795	2,334

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest 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 (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Florida cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.