List of the Top 9 Most Dangerous Cities in Florida With Highest Crime Rates(2023)

If you’re planning to move to Florida, knowing the cities with high crime rates is essential. According to statistics, Lake City, Riviera Beach, and Cocoa are among the most dangerous cities in Florida. To ensure your safety and peace of mind, it’s recommended to steer clear of these areas and other cities with high crime rates. This article lists the worst places to live in Florida if safety is a concern. Keep reading to learn more.

Most Dangerous Cities in Florida

1. Lake City Rewritten

According to recent statistics, Lake City holds the unfortunate title of being the most dangerous city in Florida. Shockingly, its violent crime rate of 1,547 per 100,000 residents is the highest in the state and ranks one of the worst in the nation. This alarming fact highlights the urgent need for increased safety measures and improved community policing in Lake City.

Despite its lower cost of living compared to other places in Florida, Lake City, a municipality with a population of around 12,500, has high poverty and crime rates. Unfortunately, the chances of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Lake City are almost four times higher than the state average. This makes it one of the most unsafe cities in Florida, and residents should exercise caution when going about their daily activities.

2. Riviera Beach

Riviera Beach, a small community with a population of 35,000, is considered one of the most dangerous cities in Florida. The city has an alarmingly high rate of violent crimes, making it a dangerous place to live. Of all the cities in Florida, Riviera Beach has the highest murder rate, seven times higher than the national average. These statistics highlight the severity of the crime situation in Riviera Beach and the need for increased safety measures.

Located on the outskirts of the Miami metropolitan area, Riviera Beach is a city that should be approached with caution. Safety can be a concern in most parts of the city, making it one of the worst areas in Florida. However, Singer Island is considered the least dangerous area in Riviera Beach. Interestingly, it is just a 10-minute drive from North Palm Beach, considered one of the safest cities in Florida.

3. Cocoa

Cocoa is a Florida town known for its high violent crime rate, making it a dangerous place to live in. Despite having a small population of only 19,000, the violent crime rate in Cocoa is alarmingly high at 1,108 per 100,000 residents. This figure is 2.8 times higher than the national average and three times the state average. Burglaries and assaults are the most commonly reported types of violent crime in Cocoa.

If you’re searching for a safe and quiet haven in Florida, Cocoa may not be your ideal choice. Situated on the Space Coast, near Cape Canaveral, Cocoa may not be the most tranquil place to settle down.

4. Florida City

Located in South Florida, near the Everglades and the Florida Keys, Florida City is infamous for being one of the most unsafe cities in the Sunshine State. With approximately 12,000 residents, it’s considered one of the car-jacking capitals of the US. The rates of other violent crimes are equally concerning in this city, with residents having a roughly 1 in 38 chance of being a victim of violent crime.

Over the past decade, Florida City has experienced a notable increase in crime rates, unlike other cities on this list that have been taking gradual steps to address their crime issues.

5. Lake Worth

Lake Worth, situated south of Riviera Beach, is among the most dangerous cities in Florida, with a violent crime rate of 996 per 100,000 inhabitants. This rate is 2.5 times higher than the state and national average. However, despite being considered one of the most dangerous places in Florida, crime rates in Lake Worth have been declining in recent years.

It’s advisable to steer clear of the northern neighbourhoods in Lake Worth, as they tend to be more hazardous compared to other parts of the city.

6. Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is a popular tourist destination renowned for its race track and spring break events, drawing in numerous visitors annually. However, it is also considered one of the most dangerous places to reside in Florida, which is unfortunate.

According to recent statistics, Daytona Beach has a high violent crime rate, with 1,006 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is nearly three times higher than the state average, making it more likely for residents to become victims of such crimes. Property crime rates in Daytona Beach are also notably high, with figures almost 2.5 times greater than the state average.

7. Lauderhill

Lauderhill, unfortunately, has made its way into the list of the most dangerous cities in Florida. The crime rates in Lauderhill have been on the rise in recent years, with a staggering 632 violent crimes reported in 2022 alone in a city with a population of just 72,000. This marked a more than 20% increase from 2018. Shockingly, the violent crime rate in Lauderhill is 878 per 100,000 people, which means that residents of Lauderhill are 2.3 times more likely to be a victim of violent crime than the Florida state average.

8. Orlando

Orlando is the most violent major city in Florida, with a violent crime rate surpassing the state average by 2.2 times.

While Orlando has been experiencing a decrease in crime rates for many years, with a significant drop since 2002, there has been a slight increase in crime since 2020. Despite this setback, the city has been actively taking measures to combat violent crime and enhance the safety of its inhabitants. This demonstrates a commitment to maintaining a secure environment for the community.

9. Tallahassee

Florida has a reputation for being tough on criminal activity, but its state capital, Tallahassee, is one of the most violent areas in the state. Shockingly, in 2021, Tallahassee recorded 1,516 violent crimes, which translates to 774 violent crimes for every 100,000 residents. Tallahassee is more than twice as dangerous as the state and national average.

In Tallahassee, property crime rates are considerably high, meaning the likelihood of experiencing property crime is roughly 1 in 30.

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