Florida is known for its sandy beaches, theme parks, coastal towns and lively entertainment districts. From Orlando’s attractions to Miami’s nightlife and the natural landscapes of the Everglades, the Sunshine State offers plenty of reasons to visit. However, crime statistics show that safety conditions can vary considerably between communities.
For travelers planning a Florida vacation, understanding local crime data can help when choosing accommodations, arranging transportation and deciding where to spend time. The following list presents 10 Florida cities identified in the supplied figures as having elevated violent crime rates. Florida City ranks first, followed by Belle Glade and Pahokee.
Quick Guide
- State: Florida
- Category: Travel Safety and Destination Guide
- Based On: Supplied city crime statistics; consult the Florida Department of Health’s crime data for official statewide and county-level information.
- Includes: 10 Florida cities with reported elevated violent crime rates
- Best For: Visitors planning vacations, road trips, overnight stays and city visits
- Note: Rankings and figures require verification against the relevant reporting year. A citywide rate does not mean every neighborhood has the same level of risk.
- Source: areavibes
These figures should be treated as a starting point for research, not a definitive assessment of every neighborhood. Crime rankings can change depending on the reporting year, data source, population estimates and methodology used.
10. Panama City
- Population: 36,673
- 649 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 1.78
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 154
- Total Crimes / 100k: 2,838
Rounding out our list at #10 is Panama City, FL. With a population of 36,673 and a violent crime rate of 649 per 100,000 people (143% higher than the Florida average), some parts of Panama City are incredible unsafe.
The violent crime rate consists of 559 counts of assault, 25 counts of robbery, 57 counts of rape and 8 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 154 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
9. Lake Worth
- Population: 38,026
- 731 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.00
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 137
- Total Crimes / 100k: 3,388
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, Lake Worth, FL comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Florida with a violent crime rate of 731 per 100,000 people.
If we break that down, the city sees 2.00 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 137 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.
8. Gainesville
- Population: 138,122
- 738 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.02
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 136
- Total Crimes / 100k: 3,442
Gainesville, FL is another one of the most dangerous cities in Florida and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 138,122 and a violent crime rate of 738 per 100,000 people.
Of those crimes, there were 514 counts of assault, 133 counts of robbery, 86 counts of rape and 5 counts of homicide. All told, the Gainesville violent crime rate is 176% higher than the Florida average.
7. Springfield
- Population: 9,363
- 804 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.20
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 124
- Total Crimes / 100k: 2,977
A 1 in 124 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 2.20 violent crimes per day – those are some fairly good reasons why Springfield makes the list at #7.
According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 804 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 201% higher than the Florida average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (612), robbery (48), rape (144) and homicide (0).
6. Riviera Beach
- Population: 35,972
- 943 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.58
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 106
- Total Crimes / 100k: 4,574
Riviera Beach, FL comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 943 per 100,000 people, which is 253% higher than the Florida average. Riviera Beach has a population of 35,972, which translates to 2.58 crimes per day and 1 in 106 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 Riviera Beach which are much safer than others.
5. South Bay
- Population: 6,857
- 1,002 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.74
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 100
- Total Crimes / 100k: 3,149
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 1,002 and a 1 in 100 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), South Bay has a violent crime rate that is 275% 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.
4. Cocoa
- Population: 20,791
- 1,082 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.97
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 92
- Total Crimes / 100k: 4,636
With a violent crime rate that is 305% higher than the Florida average, it’s not hard to see why Cocoa made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (183), assault (840), rape (54) and homicide (5).
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 Cocoa more vulnerable to high crime.
3. Pahokee
- Population: 6,413
- 1,132 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 3.10
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 88
- Total Crimes / 100k: 3,377
Home to 6,413 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 1,132 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year.
When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 3.10 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 324% higher than the Florida violent crime rate.
2. Belle Glade
- Population: 20,401
- 1,327 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 3.64
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 75
- Total Crimes / 100k: 3,987
The second most dangerous city is Belle Glade. With a population of 20,401 and a violent crime rate that is 397% 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 1,327 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 75 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
1. Florida City
- Population: 12,235
- 2,291 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 6.28
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 44
- Total Crimes / 100k: 10,305
Florida City, FL holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Florida with 2,291 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (1,696), robbery (434), rape (96) and homicide (64) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 758% 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.
How Travelers Can Make Informed Safety Decisions
Crime rankings are most useful when considered alongside current information. Before booking a hotel or visiting an unfamiliar area, check local police updates, read recent accommodation reviews and confirm parking and transportation arrangements.
Keep valuables out of sight, stay aware of your surroundings and use well-lit routes when possible. Travelers should also distinguish violent crime from property crime because the two measure different risks.
The figures in this article need to be matched to a specific reporting year before the ranking is presented as current. The Florida Department of Health provides official crime statistics, while OpenCrime’s Florida database presents city-level figures based on reported data.
Florida remains a diverse travel destination, and crime rates alone cannot determine whether an individual trip will be safe. Checking reliable, recent information and making decisions based on the specific places being visited can help travelers plan more confidently.
