Florida Crime Rate By City 2024 – Latest Statistics

Florida has long been known as a place for individuals to call home, as well as retirees, vacation homes, and others who just come to enjoy the state’s wide range of outdoor activities and amusement parks. With such a large influx, understanding the Florida crime rate by the city can not only help decide which part of the Sunshine State to enjoy but also how to keep you and your family safe in the third most populated state in America.

The Top Five Most Dangerous Cities in Florida

When planning a visit or a move to Florida, it is important that you review the crime statistics city by city to ensure you are moving to or vacationing at the safest place possible for you and your loved ones. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has crime rate statistics current through 2020 and identifies the top five most dangerous cities as:

• Lake City. Although Lake City is a rather small municipal area, it has a very high poverty rate and a significant crime rate. This rate currently stands at 1,547 crimes per every 100,000 residents, making it the city with the highest crime rate in Florida and one of the highest crime cities in the country. In Lake City, your chances of being the victim of a violent crime are almost four times higher than your chances in any other city in Florida.
• Bella Glade. Another smaller city, Bella Glade, suffers both a high poverty rate and a high crime rate. In 2003 alone, it was believed to have the second-highest crime rate in the country, and in 2010, about half of men aged 18 to 25 had a felony conviction on their record. The violent crime rate in this city is 1,310 in every 100,000 residents.
• Riviera Beach. With an average population of 35,000 people, Riviera Beach is another smaller community with a high crime rate in Florida. This city currently holds the highest murder rate in the state, which stands at seven times higher than the national average. Many of the areas in Riviera Beach should be avoided altogether if you are concerned about the safety of yourself and your loved ones while visiting.
• Cocoa. Another city in Florida with a smaller population, Cocoa, currently has about 19,000 residents. Despite this, the violent crime rate currently stands at about 1,108 crimes per every 100,000 residents. In Cocoa, the most commonly committed violent crimes are those of burglaries and assaults. If you are looking for a safe and peaceful place to vacation or move to in Florida, Cocoa should be avoided.
• Florida City. With its growing crime rate, Florida City boasts a population of about 12,000 residents and is one of the carjacking capitals of America. The crime rates of other violent crimes are high as well, giving residents a 1 in 38 chance of being victimized by an act of violent crime.

Florida’s tourism plays a large role in the places where crime occurs. From beach goers to theme park attendees, tourists who do not take the proper safety measures could be a likely target for would be criminals. Locking up personal belongings, sticking to well- lit areas, and not walking alone at night can help keep you and others safe.

Gun Violence in Florida

On an average annual basis, the state of Florida sees about 2,849 individuals die due to gun violence, and 5,267 individuals are wounded in acts of gun violence. Between the years 2011 and 2020, Florida saw an increase of 15% in deaths related to gun violence when compared to the national rise of 33%. Homicides where a gun was involved increased by 40%. Guns are also the 2nd leading cause of death for children and teens in the state of Florida.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Charge in Florida?

A: It can be difficult to assign an exact number to how much a criminal defense attorney might charge to represent your case in Florida. This is because there are several factors that influence the final cost analysis of a case. These factors can include the overall complexity of the case, the duration of the case, and the experience, skill level, and effort of your attorney.

Q: Which City in Florida Has the Lowest Crime Rate?

A: In the state of Florida, Marco Island is known to be the city with the lowest crime rate. With an average population of 16,137, this city had a violent crimes rate of 0.8% and a property crimes rate of 5.2. When looking for an area of Florida to own property in or vacation to, the city of Marco Island is a safe choice for you and your loved ones.

Q: What Is the Difference Between Violent Crimes and Property Crimes in Florida?

A: In Florida, a violent crime is any crime that takes place that involves the intentional and knowing use of force or threat of force to harm another individual. These acts can include assault, murder, or robbery. Property crimes differ as they often involve harm done to an individual’s property without any actual physical harm done to the person. This can include theft, burglary, or vandalism.

Q: What Is the Rate of Intimate Partner Homicides in Florida Involving Guns?

A: In the state of Florida, according to the organization Everytown for Gun Safety, in 2019 alone, there were 59 women shot by their intimate partner and killed. This number accounts for 67% of all female intimate partner homicides that occurred in the state, which is a similar number to the nationwide average of female intimate partner homicides.

Florida Criminal Defense Attorney

If you or someone you love is facing criminal charges in the state of Florida, there is a way to ensure you don’t just become another statistic. Hiring the assistance and representation of a Tampa criminal defense lawyer is of paramount importance when it comes to the protection of your rights, freedoms, and overall future. Contact Jeff Marshall Law today for a free consultation.