According to Propertyclub, Florida is home to several cities that have been identified as dangerous in terms of crime rates. Lake City, Riviera Beach, and Cocoa are among the cities in Florida that have been classified as the most dangerous. If you are considering relocating to the sunshine state, it is advisable to steer clear of these areas, as well as other cities in Florida with high rates of violent crime. To ensure your safety, it is important to be aware of the ten worst places to live in Florida.
10 Most Dangerous Cities in Florida (2024)
This Article Includes
-
- Lake City
- Riviera Beach
- Cocoa
- Florida City
- Miami Beach
- Daytona Beach
- Lake Worth
- Lauderhill
- Orlando
- Tallahassee
1. Lake City
Lake City, Florida, holds the notorious title of being the most dangerous city in the state. With a staggering violent crime rate of 1,547 incidents per 100,000 residents, it stands as one of the highest in Florida and among the worst in the entire nation.
Lake City, a municipality with around 12,500 residents, provides a more affordable cost of living compared to many other areas in Florida. However, it is important to note that the city also experiences high poverty and crime rates. In fact, the likelihood of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Lake City is nearly four times higher than the state average, making it one of the least safe cities in Florida.
2. Riviera Beach
Riviera Beach, a small community in Florida with a population of 35,000, is recognized as one of the most dangerous cities in the state. It has an alarmingly high rate of violent crime, making it a concerning place to live. Of particular concern is the city’s murder rate, which is seven times higher than the national average.
Riviera Beach, situated on the outskirts of the Miami metropolitan area, is not known for its safety. Most parts of the city should be avoided if you have concerns about safety. However, Singer Island, located in Riviera Beach, stands out as the least dangerous area. It is interesting to note that Riviera Beach is just a short 10-minute drive away from North Palm Beach.
3. Cocoa
Cocoa, Florida is known for its high rate of violent crime, making it one of the worst places to live in the state. Despite having a relatively small population of 19,000, Cocoa has a staggering violent crime rate of 1,108 per 100,000 residents. This is 2.8 times higher than the national average and more than four times the state average. The prevalent types of violent crime in Cocoa include burglaries and assaults.
Cocoa, situated on the Space Coast near Cape Canaveral, may not be the ideal choice if you are seeking a secure and tranquil place to reside in Florida.
4. Florida City
Florida City, located in South Florida near the Everglades and the Florida Keys, is unfortunately known for its high crime rates. With a population of around 12,000, it has earned a reputation as one of the car-jacking capitals of the US. Additionally, the city experiences high rates of other violent crimes. Sadly, residents of Florida City face a roughly 1 in 38 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
Florida City has experienced a surge in crime rates over the past decade, distinguishing itself from other cities on this list that have been gradually addressing their crime issues.
5. Miami Beach
Miami Beach, located in Florida, is notorious for its high levels of violent crime. With a crime rate of 1,059 per 100,000 residents, it surpasses the national average by 2.7 times and the state average by a staggering four times. This alarming statistic paints a bleak picture of the safety conditions in Miami Beach.
In Miami Beach, the prevalent crimes include robberies, car break-ins, and assaults. The primary targets of violent crime in Miami Beach are tourists and partygoers. Therefore, it is crucial to stay vigilant and be aware of your surroundings, particularly during nighttime.
6. Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is famous for its race track and spring break parties, drawing in a massive number of tourists every year. However, it is important to note that it is also one of the most perilous places to reside in Florida.
The crime rate in Daytona Beach is alarming, with a staggering 1,006 incidents of violent crime per 100,000 residents. This means that residents are nearly three times more likely to become victims of violent crimes compared to the state average. Not only that, but the rate of property crimes in Daytona Beach is also significantly higher, almost 2.5 times the state average. The safety concerns in this area are a cause for serious concern among residents.
7. Lake Worth
Lake Worth, situated a short distance south of Riviera Beach, is deemed as one of the most unsafe cities in Florida when it comes to violent crime. With a violent crime rate of 996 per 100,000 residents, it surpasses the state and national average by over 2.5 times. Nevertheless, there is a silver lining as crime rates have been gradually declining in Lake Worth in recent years.
It is advisable to steer clear of the northern neighborhoods in Lake Worth as they tend to be more dangerous compared to the rest of the city.
8. Lauderhill
Lauderhill, a city in Florida, has gained a reputation for being one of the most dangerous cities in the state. Unfortunately, crime rates in Lauderhill have been on the rise in recent years. In 2023, there were 628 reported cases of violent crimes in this city with a population of 72,000 people. This marked a significant increase of over 20% compared to the numbers recorded in 2018.
When looking at the statistics, it becomes evident that the violent crime rate in Lauderhill is alarmingly high, standing at 878 incidents per 100,000 people. This means that residents of Lauderhill are 2.3 times more likely to become victims of violent crimes than the average Florida resident. These figures paint a concerning picture of the safety and security within the city.
9. Orlando
Orlando, Florida, stands out as the most violent major city in the state, with a violent crime rate that surpasses the statewide average by 2.2 times.
Although crime in Orlando had been on a decline for several decades, experiencing a significant drop since 2002, there has been a slight increase since 2020. However, it is worth noting that the city has been making commendable efforts to combat violent crime and prioritize the safety of its residents.
10. Tallahassee
Tallahassee, the state capital of Florida, has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous areas in the state when it comes to violent crime. In 2021 alone, there were 1,516 reported incidents of violent crimes in Tallahassee, which translates to a rate of 774 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic makes Tallahassee more than twice as dangerous as both the state and national average.
The city of Tallahassee has a significant issue with property crime, with approximately 1 in 30 residents being at risk of becoming a victim.
