Florida is known for its stunning beaches, warm weather, and vibrant tourism. It has a mix of bustling cities, high tourist activity, and densely populated residential areas, making it a state where crime rates vary significantly. While many cities in Florida offer beautiful attractions, some also rank with the higher rates of violent crimes including assault, robbery, and murder. Recent FBI statistics highlight an alarming rise in violent crimes across the specific cities of the state including Lake City, Belle Glade, Riviera Beach, and some other cities. 

Most Dangerous Cities in Florida

The following are the most dangerous cities in Florida;

• Lake City
• Belle Glade
• Riviera Beach
• Cocoa
• Florida City
• Miami Beach
• Daytona Beach
• Lake Worth Beach
• Homestead
• Lauderhill
• Orlando
• Tallahassee

1) Lake City

Lake City is the most dangerous city in Florida with a violent crime rate of 10.44 incidents out of 1000 residents which is the worst in the country. This rate is alarming as it is not only the highest in the state but also exceeds the national average which makes it the most dangerous city in Florida. The chances of being a victim of a violent crime in Lake City are more than three times higher compared to the state average which makes it one of the most unsafe cities in Florida. 

Lake City is a small city with a population of approximately 12,500 residents and offers a low cost of living compared to most places in Florida. It has a very high poverty rate of 22.0% which is one of the major factors that contributes to this issue. The city faces economic challenges as it has very limited job opportunities and does not have adequate social services, so it fails to provide a stable foundation for the community. While there are ongoing efforts to address these issues, the city still struggles to reduce the crime rate. 

2) Belle Glade

Another one of the most dangerous cities in Florida is Belle Glade which is located on the lake Okeechobee in the Palm Beach Country. It is a small city with a total population of 16,698 residents. A violent crime rate of 1,310 incidents out of 100,000 residents is reported in Belle Glade which is 405% higher than the rest of the state rate and 254% above the national average.

Although it is a small city, it suffers from a very high rate of poverty and unemployment which contributes to the crime statistics. It struggles with high levels of robbery, assault, rape, and homicide. As of 2010, about half of young men aged between 18 to 25 had felony convictions. Despite these challenges, law enforcement and community members are creating efforts to reduce crime rates and improve safety. 

3) Riviera Beach

Riviera Beach is a small community in Florida with a population of 35,025 residents and it is also one of the most dangerous places in Florida located near the Miami metropolitan area. Socioeconomic factors such as poverty, limited access to education, and lack of economic opportunities have contributed to the increasing criminal activities in the area.

Riviera Beach has reported a violent crime rate of 895 incidents out of 100,000 people which is 246% times above the state average. Riviera Beach has the highest murder rate in Florida which is seven times higher than the national average. The area that is least dangerous on the Riviera beach is Singer Island, but the rest of the city makes it one of the worst places for visitors when it comes to safety.

4) Cocoa

Cocoa is a small city located on the Space Coast near Cape Canaveral and is home to 20,151 residents. The violent crime rate reported in the cocoa city is 1,086 incidents out of 100,000 people which is 319% more than Florida’s average violent crime rate. The higher crime rates of Cocoa often overshadow its significance as a center for space exploration.

The most frequent crimes that are committed in Cocoa are Burglaries and assaults. Several factors that contribute to the high crime rates of Cocoa include economic struggles and a lack of community resources. Initiatives that are made to address these issues have focused on strengthening law enforcement and fostering greater community engagement.

5) Florida City

Florida City has a population of approximately 12,000 residents and it is located in the south of Florida near the Everglades and the Florida Keys. The city is particularly known for the highest rate of car-jacking which makes it one of the car-jacking capitals of the United States. The violent crime rate reported in Florida is currently 17.87 incidents per 1000 residents. Florida City has one of the highest crime rates in the United States. 

The factors that contribute to the higher crime rates in Florida City are the social issues and the economic struggles of the city. Residents face approximately a 1 out of 38 chances of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Over the past decade, the crime rates in Florida have been rising continuously. Initiatives to improve safety in Florida city included community-based programs that aim at addressing the root cause of crime, enhancing law enforcement, and improving police funding. 

6) Miami Beach

Miami Beach is an island city located in South Florida. It is one of the worst cities in Florida with a reported violent crime rate of 1,059 incidents out of 100,000 residents which is approximately four times above the state average and 2.7 times more than the national average. Miami Beach is known for its vibrant nightlife and beaches which makes it a tourist attraction. The higher crime rates in Miami Beach are mostly due to its constant influx of visitors, which makes it a hotspot for criminal and drug activity.

The most frequently committed crimes in Miami Beach include robberies, assaults, drug offenses, and car break-ins which create safety challenges, particularly for the tourists and the partygoers. One of the main factors that make Miami Beach more vulnerable to high crimes is limited job opportunities with insufficient wages which also increases the risk of homelessness and increased unemployment.

7) Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. The city is known for its race track and spring break parties which makes it one of the popular destinations. The rate of violent crime in Daytona Beach is 928 out of 100,000 residents which is 259% more than the Florida average, meaning that residents are approximately three times more likely to fall victim to a violent crime in Daytona Beach compared to the average violent crime rate of the state.

The city attracts many visitors annually which contributes to its high crime rates and the constant influx of visitors creates a challenging environment that makes it difficult to ensure public safety. The most violent crimes in Daytona Beach include assault, robbery, rape, and homicide. Other crime rates that are high in Daytona Beach are property crime rates and drug-related offenses.

8) Lake Worth Beach

Lake Worth Beach is a coastal city with a population of 37,000 people located in the east-central Palm Beach Country. It reports a violent crime rate of 996 incidents per 100,000 residents which is almost 2.5 times above the national average and state average. The violent crime rates in the northern neighborhood of Lake Worth Beach are particularly higher than the rest of the city.

Social and economic factors contribute to the higher crime rates in the city. Efforts to improve safety in the city include community policing strategies and initiatives to address the social issues that cause these crimes. Although Lake Worth Beach is still one of the most dangerous cities in Florida, the crime rates have dropped recently.

9) Homestead

Homestead is a suburban city in the Miami area located between the Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park. Homestead is known for its agricultural community. It is one of the most dangerous cities in Florida with a reported violent crime rate of 934 incidents out of 100,000 residents which is approximately 261% more than the state average and 153% above the rest of the country.

Homestead has a population of more than 80,000 residents and there is approximately 1 out of 107 chances of falling victim to a violent crime The city reported 1088 violent crimes between 2015 and 2019, including 416 robberies, 7 murders, and more than 1,000 aggravated assaults.

10) Lauderhill

Lauderhill is located in the center of Broward County in the southeastern side of Florida. It is also one of the worst cities in Florida with a violent crime rate of 878 per 100,000 people, meaning that the residents of Lauderhill have a 2.3 times chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime compared to the total state average.

The city has a population of around 72,000 residents and crime rates in Lauderhill have increased over the past few years with 628 violent crimes reported in 2023 which was an above than 20% increase compared to 2018. The social and economic challenges in the city contribute to its higher crime rates. Initiatives have been made to address these issues including community-based programs and enhancing law enforcement. 

11) Orlando

Orlando is a city located in central Florida and is the most violent major city in Florida. It is home to famous attractions including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Orlando is the most dangerous city in Florida with a violent crime rate of 836 incidents per 100,000 residents, meaning that the residents of Orlando have almost a 1 out of 120 chance of falling victim to a violent crime.

The factors that contribute to the higher crime rates in the city include economic conditions, lack of education, social environment, and law enforcement. As the city is a major tourist attraction, it faces challenges to maintain the safety of the public. Efforts have been made to reduce crime and improve the safety of the residents of Orlando. 

12) Tallahassee

Tallahassee is the capital city of Florida and is listed among the most dangerous cities in Florida due to its higher crime rates and significant safety concerns. The violent crime rate reported in the city is 774 incidents out of 100,000 residents. Property crime rates in Tallahassee are also very high with almost a 1 in 30 chance of being a victim to property crime.

The city is home to Florida State University and it experiences higher crime rates related to robbery, theft, and student-related offenses. Economic issues such as high poverty rate and unemployment rates and social challenges including lack of quality education and healthcare play a pivotal role in contributing to the higher crime rates in the city.

Conclusion

Florida, a city known for its beautiful beaches, diverse culture, and vibrant cities, offers a blend of experiences from beautiful theme parks to vibrant nightlife. Although it has many beautiful attractions, Florida faces challenges in several urban areas. Some of its cities struggle with higher violent crime rates which make them the most dangerous cities in the states. Efforts to increase safety in Florida’s cities involve a blend of strengthened law enforcement and community-based programs that aim to violence and crime. These initiatives play a crucial role in addressing the safety concerns that affect some of the challenging cities in Florida.

FAQs

Which Factors Influence the High Crime Rates in Florida?

High crime rates are influenced by several factors including economic factors such as poverty and unemployment, and social factors such as lack of access to quality education.

Which Are the Most Common Crimes in the Dangerous Cities of Florida?

The most common crimes include assault, robbery, murder, theft, burglary, and carjacking.

Is Florida Generally a Safe State?

Florida has cities with higher crime rates, but it also has many safe neighborhoods due to which it is considered as a moderately safe state.

Are These Cities Dangerous for Visitors?

Certain areas in Florida are considered dangerous for tourists due to higher crime rates. While many areas in these cities are safe, visitors should avoid walking alone at night and should be aware of their surroundings.