F
64%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
63%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
64%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
Sarasota crime rates are not available from the FBI crime report. The FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR), gathers data from more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies. The agencies include city, university, college, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies. When combined, they represent approximately 309 million American residents, or a 98% coverage rate of large metropolitan areas. This does result in approximately 20 million people who live in areas where the FBI does not provide crime reports. These areas tend to be smaller towns, villages or suburbs. Given that Sarasota crime stats are not covered by the FBI crime reports, either data from local enforcement agencies is applied or estimates are calculated based on demographic data including, but not limited to: home prices, income per capita, poverty rates, unemployment rates, educational achievement and population density. The Sarasota crime estimates should be used at your own risk. Please be aware that the data displayed above is estimated and not officially reported by any agency. The Sarasota crime map can also be used to view a visual display of crimes committed on a block group level.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleSarasota/100k peopleFlorida/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime0n/a (estimate)831 (estimate)1,8072,281
Murdern/an/an/a4.75.7
Rapen/an/an/a29.938.0
Robberyn/an/an/a42.366.5
Assaultn/an/an/a213.3264.1
Violent crimen/an/a (estimate)133 (estimate)290364
Burglaryn/an/an/a163.1250.7
Theftn/an/an/a1,221.51,347.2
Vehicle theftn/an/an/a131.8318.7
Property crimen/an/a (estimate)697 (estimate)1,5161,917

An Overview of Crime Rates in Sarasota, FL

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Sarasota crime rate is higher than the national average by 63.6%. Specifically, there were 365 violent crimes in Sarasota, equivalent to 659 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 78.2%. Furthermore, Sarasota recorded 1741 property crimes, amounting to 3144 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 60.9%.

Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Sarasota is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 7 murders in Sarasota, which equates to 13 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Sarasota being a very dangerous place to live.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Sarasota?

AreaVibes surveyed 127 local residents in Sarasota to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 51% of people answered that there was very little crime in Sarasota and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 49% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Sarasota a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Sarasota is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Sarasota has a total crime rate that is 64% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 5.77 daily crimes (1 violent daily crimes and 4.77 daily property crimes) in Sarasota.

Has Crime in Sarasota Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Sarasota. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Sarasota has increased by 6.9%. Violent crimes have increased by 4.6%, while property crimes have increased by 7.3%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Sarasota Neighborhood Crime Rates

The Sarasota area comprises a diverse array of over 39 distinct neighborhoods, each exhibiting a unique crime rate influenced by location and various socioeconomic factors. Generally, neighborhoods situated in proximity to the city center, characterized by higher population density, often report elevated crime rates. Conversely, the outlying neighborhoods, marked by lower population density and reduced unemployment and poverty rates, tend to experience lower crime incidence. Some neighborhoods with lower crime rates include: Cherokee Park, Harbor Acres and Hudson Bayou which foster a strong sense of safety. Conversely, neighborhoods such as Downtown, Rosemary District and 17th Street exhibit crime rates above the average, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive research when evaluating different Sarasota neighborhoods, given their considerable variation in crime rates.

Potential Causes for Crime in Sarasota

In Sarasota, the current unemployment rate stands at 2%, diverging from the national average of 4.7%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Sarasota crime rates.

The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Sarasota, 84.8% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.

High rent costs can create economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When a significant portion of one's income is spent on housing, there may be less money available for other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education. Economic stress can contribute to desperation and potentially lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Average rent rates in Sarasota are $1,177, compared to a national average of $949 per month.

Sarasota crime map



The Sarasota crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Sarasota as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Sarasota crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Sarasota crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Sarasota, FL Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Sarasota crime rates are 64% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Sarasota are 63% lower than the national average
      • In Sarasota you have a 1 in 121 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Sarasota is safer than 9% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Sarasota has decreased by 75%

      Sarasota, FL Crime Quiz

      • 1. Which city in Florida has the least crime per 100,000 people?
      • 2. Which city in Florida has the most crime per 100,000 people?
      • 3. How many crimes (per 100,000 people) occur in Sarasota each year?
      • 4. Is the Sarasota crime rate higher or lower than the Florida average?
      • 5. Sarasota is safer than 6% of all other cities in Florida.
       
      1 / 5

      Safest Places to Live in and Around Sarasota

      30 km
      20 mi
      Sarasota Your current location Population: 57,787 F Longboat Key City: 7.2mi / 11.6km away Population: 7,299 A+ The Meadows City: 4.7mi / 7.6km away Population: 5,235 A+ Siesta Key City: 4.4mi / 7.0km away Population: 5,587 A+ South Sarasota City: 3.6mi / 5.9km away Population: 4,993 A+ Whitfield City: 5.2mi / 8.4km away Population: 4,398 A+ Cortez City: 11.7mi / 18.8km away Population: 5,088 A+ Desoto Lakes City: 3.6mi / 5.9km away Population: 1,907 A+ Vamo City: 8.6mi / 13.8km away Population: 2,679 A+ Bradenton Beach City: 12.6mi / 20.3km away Population: 902 A Bee Ridge City: 5.8mi / 9.3km away Population: 10,283 A Lake Sarasota City: 7.4mi / 11.9km away Population: 4,148 A Cherokee Park Neighborhood: 2.2mi / 3.6km away Population: 179 A Ridge Wood Heights City: 4.0mi / 6.5km away Population: 4,856 A Harbor Acres Neighborhood: 1.2mi / 2.0km away Population: 399 A Southgate City: 3.0mi / 4.9km away Population: 6,617 A- Fruitville City: 5.3mi / 8.5km away Population: 14,178 A- Kensington Park City: 3.6mi / 5.7km away Population: 3,492 A- South Gate Ridge City: 4.8mi / 7.7km away Population: 6,095 A- Avondale Neighborhood: 1.2mi / 2.0km away Population: 181 B Bay Isle-Siesta Neighborhood: 2.5mi / 4.0km away Population: 274 B Bayview Neighborhood: 2.0mi / 3.2km away Population: 83 B Bird Key Neighborhood: 1.5mi / 2.5km away Population: 146 B John Ringling Neighborhood: 1.8mi / 3.0km away Population: 78 B McClellan Park Neighborhood: 1.8mi / 2.9km away Population: 184 B San Remo Neighborhood: 2.6mi / 4.1km away Population: 300 B
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      Daily Crime In Sarasota (per 100,000 people)

      How Safe is Sarasota (higher is better)

      Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Sarasota

      The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Sarasota is 1 in 750
      The chance of being a victim of property crime in Sarasota is 1 in 144
      The chance of being a victim of crime in Sarasota is 1 in 121

      Year Over Year Crime In Sarasota (per 100,000 people)

      Sarasota police department

      Item Sarasota Florida National
      Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)21431,023558,732
      Police officers & civilians /1000 residents4.04.23.3
      There are a total of 214 Sarasota police officers. This results in 4.0 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 4.7% less than the Florida average and 24.1% greater than the National average.

      Sex offenders in Florida

      State Total offenders Florida /100K National /100K
      Florida53,771330266
      There are a total of 53,771 sex offenders in Florida. This yields a total of 330 sex offenders in Florida per 100,000 residents which is 24% greater than the national average.

      Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

      City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
      Anna Maria, FL1,08741213253
      Vamo, FL2,67945238283
      West Bradenton, FL3,73563330393
      South Sarasota, FL4,99375394469
      Desoto Lakes, FL1,90782427508
      Whitfield, FL4,39894491586
      Cortez, FL5,08894493587
      Sarasota, FL57,787133697831

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
      Huntington Park, CA57,7618024,2295,031
      Bonita Springs, FL57,755133697831
      Hendersonville, TN57,8881118971,008
      Towson, MD57,5423471,6882,035
      St. Peters, MO57,5362211,4801,700
      Sarasota, FL57,787133697831
      Source: The Sarasota, FL crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.