The worst cities in Florida with the highest crime rates in 2024

Known for its sunny beaches, vibrant nightlife and diverse culture, Florida is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. For prospective residents and visitors looking to navigate the state safely, it's important to know the crime rates. So which cities in Florida have the highest crime rates?

Florida is world-renowned for its beach resorts, amusement parks, warm and sunny climate, and water sports. Despite this, crime statistics show that the state fares relatively well compared to the national average in terms of violent crime. Property crimes and demographic-related violence are of particular concern.

The 10 worst cities in Florida

We ranked the worst cities in Florida based on violent crime rates per 100,000 residents, providing a statistical perspective on the violence in these urban areas. Additionally, we relied on data from reputable sources like Property Club and Area Vibes.

Read also

These are the most populous cities in Vermont in 2024

1. Daytona Beach

• Phone prefix: 386
• Elevation: 13 feet (4 m)
• Founded: 1870

Daytona Beach is considered the city with the highest crime rate in Florida. The violent crime rate is 1,136.98 incidents per 100,000 residents, almost three times the national average.

The city faces challenges such as a sluggish real estate market and limited economic development, resulting in stagnant property values. Despite its appeal as a tourist destination, these factors make Daytona Beach less attractive to residents and potential investors.

2. Farmstead

• Area code(s): 305, 786, 645
• Elevation: 3 feet
• Registered: February 8, 1913

Homestead is considered one of Florida's ghetto cities due to its high crime rate and socioeconomic challenges. The city has a violent crime rate of 953.22 per 100,000 residents. In addition to a high crime rate, the city also suffers from low-income areas, a poor school system, and racial tensions.

Read also

These are the safest cities in Oregon to live and raise a family

These factors contribute to a lower quality of life and make Homestead less attractive than other Florida cities with lower crime rates and stronger socioeconomic indicators.

3. Miami Beach

• Elevation: 4 feet (1.2 m)
• Registered: March 26, 1915
• Named after: Miami River

Miami Beach has one of the highest crime rates in Florida. The city has a high violent crime rate and is the third most dangerous city in the state with 924.23 violent crimes per 100,000 residents annually. Assault and robbery are the most common violent crimes, occurring 2-3 times the national rate.

Property crimes such as theft and burglary are also common. While police presence is strong and responsive, Miami Beach's high population density, tourism and wealth inequality contribute to a disproportionately high crime rate.

4. Sanford

• Area code(s): 321, 407, 689
• Founded by: Henry Shelton Sanford
• Registered: 29 September 1877

Read also

These are the fastest growing cities in Florida in 2024

Sanford is often referred to as the worst part of Florida due to its high crime rate and limited infrastructure. The city is considered one of the most dangerous in the United States, with a violent crime rate of 816.84 per 100,000 residents, well above the national average.

The city also struggles with problems such as respiratory infections and performs poorly in health indicators. The lack of diverse cultural offerings and leisure activities further reduces its attractiveness.

5. Ocala

• Phone prefix: 352
• Elevation: 69 feet (21 m)
• Founded: 1849

Ocala, Florida, has a particularly high crime rate. The number of violent crimes is 809.10 per 100,000 residents. The property crime rate is also high, which contributes to a feeling of danger. The city scores poorly in terms of safety, receiving an overall grade of C-.

The city struggles with slow economic growth, which impacts job opportunities and overall economic stability and discourages potential residents and investors. While it offers affordable housing, declining property values ​​and limited amenities compared to other Florida cities further diminish its appeal.

Read also

Top 10 most dangerous cities in Indiana with their crime rates

6. North Miami

• Area code(s): 305, 786, 645
• Elevation: 7 feet (3.96 m)
• Registered (City): 27 May 1953

In North Miami, Florida, the crime rate is well above the national average. The violent crime rate is 797.83 per 100,000 residents, compared to the U.S. average of 219.8. Property crimes are also common, contributing to an overall crime index that is 1.4 times higher than the national average.

The high crime rate, particularly violent crimes such as assault and robbery, contributes to North Miami being perceived as one of the less attractive places to live in Florida, as safety concerns impact the community's well-being and quality of life.

7. Pompano Beach

• Area code(s): 754, 954
• Elevation: 13 feet (4 m)
• Registered (City of Pompano Beach): June 6, 1947

Pompano Beach has a high crime rate compared to the national average, with violent crime rates and property crime rates higher than the U.S. average. In 2020, Pompano Beach's crime index was 1.5 times higher than the U.S. average, ranking higher than 92.6% of U.S. cities.

Read also

The 10 most dangerous cities in North Carolina according to the latest statistics

The city's violent crime rate is 792.70 per 100,000 residents, compared to the U.S. average of 228.2. Although the crime rate has declined in recent years, Pompano Beach still struggles with high rates of assault, robbery, burglary, and theft.

8. Lauderhill

• Postal code(s): 33311, 33313, 33319, 33351
• Elevation: 9 feet (3 m)

While Lauderhill is not the most dangerous city in Florida, violent crime has increased significantly, with the rate at 784.92 incidents per 100,000 residents, more than double the state average.

The alarming trend in crime increases the risk of Lauderhill residents becoming victims of crime. In addition, ongoing socioeconomic challenges exacerbate the situation and make Lauderhill less attractive to potential residents.

9. West Palm Beach

• Phone prefix: 561, 728
• Elevation: 13 feet (4 m)
• Registered: July 21, 1903

West Palm Beach is one of the most dangerous cities in Florida. Violent crimes such as assault (459 cases per 100,000 residents) and murder (17 per 100,000) are significantly higher than the national average. Property crimes are also widespread, with the theft rate at 3,751 per 100,000 residents.

Read also

These are the most dangerous cities in Texas to live in 2024

These crime statistics contribute to West Palm Beach being one of the worst cities in Florida. Problems such as high property taxes, overcrowding and traffic congestion further affect residents' quality of life.

10. Miami Gardens

• Area code(s): 305, 786, 645
• Elevation: 7 feet (2 m)
• Registered: May 13, 2003; 21 years ago

Miami Gardens is one of the cities with the highest murder rates in Florida. The city's crime rate is approximately 739.11 per 100,000 residents, with the number of violent crimes well above the national average.

The city has significant property crime problems (3,789 per 100,000 residents), making it one of the worst in Florida, particularly due to high rates of theft and burglary. Contributing to its reputation are the perception of higher crime and the difficulty of responding to law enforcement, among other factors.

Packing

The worst cities in Florida with the highest crime rates are Daytona Beach, Homestead, Miami Beach, Sanford, Ocala, North Miami, Pompano Beach, Lauderhill, West Palm Beach, and Miami Gardens. These cities contribute to Florida's overall violent crime rate of about 3.8 incidents per 1,000 residents.

Read also

The most dangerous cities in Michigan with their crime rates in 2024

Tuko.co.ke has published an article about the most dangerous cities in Indiana. Indiana is known for its historical significance and thriving communities, but some cities struggle with serious crime problems.

Economic instability, social challenges, and historical factors contribute to the high crime rates in these cities, resulting in worrying levels of violent and property crime. So what are the most dangerous cities in Indiana? Find out here.

Source: TUKO.co.ke