New Smyrna Beach, FL Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in New Smyrna Beach, FL

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in New Smyrna Beach is 56.5% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 53 violent crimes reported in New Smyrna Beach, equivalent to 166 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 55%. Additionally, New Smyrna Beach recorded 269 property crimes, amounting to 845 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 56.8%.

In the latest reported crime year, New Smyrna Beach recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in New Smyrna Beach?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in New Smyrna Beach. Based on the results of the surveys (36 responses), 64% of people felt that there was very little crime in New Smyrna Beach and felt safe walking alone at night. While 36% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is New Smyrna Beach a Safe Place to Live?

Is New Smyrna Beach a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, New Smyrna Beach has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 56%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.88 daily incidents, encompassing 0.15 violent crimes and 0.74 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of New Smyrna Beach as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in New Smyrna Beach Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in New Smyrna Beach. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in New Smyrna Beach has decreased by 39.6%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 29.3%, while property crime has decreased by 41.3%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in New Smyrna Beach.

Potential Causes for Crime in New Smyrna Beach

In New Smyrna Beach, the poverty rate currently stands at 10.4%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in New Smyrna Beach crime rates.

High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In New Smyrna Beach, the cost of living is 1.77% higher than the national average.

High rent costs can create economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When a significant portion of one's income is spent on housing, there may be less money available for other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education. Economic stress can contribute to desperation and potentially lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Average rent rates in New Smyrna Beach are $1,260, compared to a national average of $949 per month.

New Smyrna Beach crime map