When thinking of Florida, do these images come to your mind: the stunning beaches in Floridian state park, world-famous theme parks including Walt Disney World, rich wildlife, and the year-round sunshine that earns it the nickname 'The Sunshine State'? In 2024, Florida welcomed a record-breaking 143 million visitors. However, like other states, Florida also faces crime issues. While some areas are relatively safe, others suffer from violent crimes, including frequent robberies, assaults, and shootings.
Whether you're planning a visit or considering a place to settle down, this guide will discuss the 10 most dangerous cities in Florida based on the latest FBI crime data, helping you avoid high-risk areas and enjoy Florida's beauty with peace of mind.
Source:NeighborhoodScout
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Is Florida Safe?
No, overall, Florida is not a very safe state. Recently, the state safety ranking list by WalletHub placed Florida in the bottom five for the second year in a row. This was primarily due to its vulnerability to hurricanes.
But, in terms of crime rates, Florida, as a large state, does not have a high crime rate. In 2024, for every 100,000 people, there were 267 violent crimes and 1,420 property crimes. Compared to the U.S. average, Florida's violent crime rate in 2024 was 25.6% lower, and its property crime rate was 19.3% lower.
But safety largely depends on the specific location. Some cities in Florida are more dangerous than others. Crime rates in different cities vary inherently. The I-95 Corridor has long been a challenge for the trafficking of illegal firearms. Jacksonville and Tampa are also considered the "worst drivers" in the U.S., based on traffic fatalities, accidents, and dangerous roads.
What do the locals say?
“ I moved here in July. Just like any other city in America, it has some bad area and some good areas. Given the Governor and his "war on woke" people love to harsh on it and make it seem like some hellscape. ”
“ Every single part of this state has experienced a hurricane at some point or another and will again in the future. It's a way of life just like tornado alley or wildfire country. ”
RedditHow We Rank the Most Dangerous Cities in Florida?
Based on the FBI’s 2024 Uniform Crime Reports (UCR), we collected data from Table 8 – Offenses Known to Law Enforcement by State by City, specifically for Florida. The total crime rate per 100,000 people for each city was calculated using the following formula:
Total Crime Rate (per 100,000) = (Violent Crime + Property Crime) / Population × 100,000
We then ranked the cities based on the total crime rate and selected the top 10 most dangerous cities in Florida.
Quick Snapshot Table: Most Dangerous Cities in Chicago 2025
| City | Population | Total crime rate per 100,000 | Violent crime rate per 100,000 | Property crime rate per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States Total | 340,110,988 | 2,119.20 | 359.1 | 1,760.10 |
| Florida State | 23,372,215 | 1,687.5 | 267.1 | 1,420.40 |
| Florida City | 12,441 | 10,304.64 | 2,290.81 | 8,013.83 |
| Eatonville | 2,266 | 7,590.47 | 1,323.92 | 6,266.55 |
| Lake Park | 8,959 | 7,445.03 | 580.42 | 6,864.61 |
| Mangonia Park | 2,755 | 6,134.30 | 943.74 | 5,190.56 |
| Cocoa | 20,235 | 4,635.53 | 1,082.28 | 3,553.25 |
| Riviera Beach | 39,021 | 4,574.46 | 943.08 | 3,631.38 |
| Aventura | 38,317 | 4,253.99 | 164.42 | 4,089.57 |
| Palatka | 10,816 | 4,003.33 | 268.12 | 3,735.21 |
| Belle Glade | 16,880 | 3,986.97 | 1,327.01 | 2,659.95 |
| Miami Shores | 11,476 | 3,938.65 | 252.70 | 3,685.95 |
Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Florida
1. Florida City
Florida City is an unassuming gateway to the Florida Keys and Everglades National Park. According to the FBI's data, Florida City has the highest violent crime rate in the State of Florida, with 2290 per 100,000 residents. That's over six times the national average (359.1 per 100,000). These figures are attributed to high poverty levels (41.2%), the lax gun laws in the area, limited law enforcement resources, and proximity to major drug trafficking routes.
2. Eatonville
Eatonville, located near Orlando, is the oldest incorporated African American municipality in the United States. Its crime rate for 2024 was 7590 per 100,000 population, 258% higher than the national average. The city's high crime rate is attributed to poverty and unemployment, lack of investment and drug-related crime.
3. Lake Park
Lake City, located in Columbia County, has a crime rate of 7445 per 100,000 residents, making it one of the most dangerous cities in Florida. Violent crime is nearly four times the national average, and property crimes are worse. In just the past two months, a mass shooting at Annie Mattox Park, a Lake City couple indicted for theft, multiple shootings across the city, and a fatal ATV crash have intensified safety concerns in Lake City.
In just the past several months, a suspect fired a weapon into a crowd during an Easter celebration, 3 suspects accused in shooting inside Lake City Arby's arrested, multiple shootings across the city, and a fatal ATV crash have intensified safety concerns in Lake City.
4. Mangonia Park
A small town located in Palm Beach County, Mangonia Park carries a very high crime rate, with 6,134 people being victimized for every 100,000. As one of the more dangerous places in Florida, this Palm Beach County city is a hotspot for drug trafficking. Unfortunately, 20.4% of the population (463 out of 2.27k people) in 2023 live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.4%. These factors contribute to heightened levels of criminal activity in the small South Florida town.
5. Cocoa
Cocoa, a city located on Florida's Space Coast, is one of the most dangerous cities in the state. With a high violent crime rate of 1082 per 100,000 residents, burglaries and assaults are particularly prevalent, contributing to the city's reputation for crime. The high crime rates in Cocoa are driven by various factors, including economic hardship and a lack of community cohesion.
6. Riviera Beach
Riviera Beach is located on the outskirts of Miami and is a community of approximately 40,000 people. The violent crime rate is 943 crimes for every 100,000 citizens and is the worst in Florida for rates of murder, greatly surpassing the national average. Riviera Beach also experiences a relatively large amount of gun violence. For instance, RBPD investigated an average of 10 homicides a year between 2021 and 2023, and every homicide in 2023 was a result of gun violence.
7. Aventura
Aventura is a suburb of Miami, best known for its shopping center, the Aventura Mall. Its crime rate is 4,254 per 100,000 people, with property crime levels at 4,089 per 100,000, which tend to be 132% higher than the national average. However, the violent crime rate in Aventura is 164 per 100,000, which is 54% lower than the national average.
8. Palatka
Palatka is a city in and the county seat of Putnam County. In Palatka, the crime rate stands at 4003 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 89%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates across the state. There were a total of 29 violent crimes in Palatka (268 per 100,000 people), which is 25% lower than the national average and there were a total of 404 property crimes (3735 per 100,000 residents) which is 112% higher than average.
9. Belle Glade
Belle Glade, located in the heart of the Everglades, has a high crime rate. The average violent crime rate stands at 1327 per 100,000 residents, which is 269% above the national average. Property crime averages 2660 per 100,000, 51.14% above the national average.
In the last several months alone, late-night Belle Glade shooting leaves one dead, one injured, there was a shooting at a Marathon gas station, and an off-duty deputy was murdered in a targeted attack. Locals aren’t just concerned—they’re scared, with one user commenting:
“ It's almost like extreme poverty and lack of opportunity leads to crime… Sad that Belle Glade exists in the exact same county as the sickening opulence of Mar a Lago. ”
Reddit10. Miami Shores
Miami Shores is a suburb of Miami in Miami-Dade County, with a population of 11,476. It has a higher overall crime rate (3,938 per 100,000) compared to the national average (2,119 per 100,000), with property crime being particularly prevalent (3,686 per 100,000, compared to the national rate of 1,760).
What are the Safety Concerns in Florida?
Violent crimes: In 2024 in Florida, 73.8% of all violent crimes were aggravated assaults; 14.3%, robberies; 10.5%, rapes; and 1.4%, murders.
Property crimes: In 2024 in Florida, 80.6% of all property crimes were larceny-thefts; 10.7%, burglaries; and 8.7%, motor vehicle thefts.
Drug: Florida's proximity to Latin and Central America makes it a prime location for drug trafficking. In 2023, Florida had 7,010 deaths due to drug overdoses, with approximately 31.7 people per 100,000 dying from drug overdoses, which remains above the national averages.
Gun Violence: In an average year, 3,108 people die and 6,358 are wounded by guns in Florida. Florida has the 23rd-highest rate of gun violence in the US. In 2024, about 13.2 out of every 100,000 people in Florida died from a gun-related injury.
Gang violence: According to the Eighteenth Statewide Grand Jury report, gang-driven offenses are spiking, with law enforcement agencies sounding alarms over increasingly violent offenses. Some areas are hotspots including Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Tampa and Palm Beach County — powerful gangs dig in, laying claim to corners and entire neighborhoods. The five major gangs in Florida are notorious.
Traffic accident: Florida is the worst state for drivers, with all four major metros — Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, and Miami — ranking in the top 10 worst cities for drivers. Jacksonville has the highest number of alcohol-related deaths for the second year in a row, with 3.8 per 100,000 residents — 58% more than the average city.
Natural Disaster: The Sunshine State is home to an array of natural disasters: hurricanes, tropical storms, tropical depressions, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods regularly affect Florida's residents and visitors. Since 1980, there have been 186 disaster declarations in Florida, almost 7 disasters per year.
How to Stay Safe in the Most Dangerous Cities in Florida?
1. Be prepared for the Natural Disasters
When you're planning your trip to Florida, don't forget to check on the hurricane forecast. Hurricane season lasts from June to November. You can check out hurricane forecast tracking map from the National Hurricane Center before traveling to learn the likelihood of a hurricane hitting while you're in town. And if you do happen to be in Florida when a hurricane threatens, evacuate the area as soon as possible. But it's best to avoid visiting Florida during these months.
2. Keep an eye on your cash
Studies have found that robberies occur in Florida as often as every three minutes. Keep your money tucked securely in a money belt or buttoned pocket, and avoid carrying purses. If you do carry a purse, keep it strapped across your body and clasped in the front. Only bring with you what you need for the day—leave extra credit cards, passports, and money stowed securely in a safe in your hotel room.
3. Drive Carefully
Every year, Florida experiences close to 400,000 crashes, about 3,200 of which are fatal. Defensive driving can be a critical skill for ensuring your safety on the road. Always be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on the behavior of other drivers. Keep a minimum of three to four seconds between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
4. Avoid Roaming Around at Night
At night, try not to walk in unfamiliar or poorly lit areas after dark, especially when you're alone. Almost all the dangerous cities show signs of security risk in the dark.
5. Increase Surveillance of Your Home
As property theft is more prevalent in Florida cities, we recommend you install security cameras and alarms. To help you secure homes, eufy security cameras offer features like motion detection, night vision, and real-time alerts.
Moreover, these cameras on your front porch or driveway can help scare off intruders and record evidence. Many eufy models have AI detection to distinguish humans from pets, reducing false alarms. In the worst places to live in Florida, having visible cameras provides peace of mind and extra protection.
6. Install an Advanced Home Security System
For a worry-free, highly-advanced home security system, we recommend the eufy LocalSecure System. It enhances every device and process as part of a larger security network with Advanced BionicMind™ AI Detection. If the system recognizes suspicious activity, it can trigger alarms and alert you immediately.
All video is stored locally with up to 16TB expandable capacity, keeping your data secure and private while still giving you instant access through the eufy app. In high-risk Florida areas, this level of reliable protection from eufy can make all the difference.
Conclusion
Although Florida is relatively safe in terms of crime rates, cities like Florida City and Eatonville still require constant vigilance. You can try our safety tips to reduce risks. For Florida's residents, a security system is a more efficient long-term investment. With a full understanding of safety risks, you can better enjoy the beautiful scenery of Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
What city in Florida has the highest crime rate?
Florida City has the highest crime rate in Florida. Its total crime rate is 10,304.64 per 100,000, which is 510.83% higher than Florida's rate of 1,687.
What's the most common crime in Florida?
The most common crimes in Florida include drug-related offenses, gun violence, DUI, gang violence, and both violent and property crimes.
What is the safest city in Florida?
Marco Island is the safest city in Florida. According to the latest available FBI data, in 2024, Marco Island had a violent crime rate of just 0.8 out of 1,000 people and a property crime rate of 5.2 per every 1,000 people.
Which part of Florida would be the most difficult to live in?
The most difficult parts of Florida to live in may include Florida City, Eatonville, Lake Park, Mangonia Park and Cocoa due to high crime rates.
