Safest cities in Florida

Known as the 'Sunshine State,' Florida is renowned for its warm climate, beautiful beaches, and vibrant cultural scene. Located in the southeastern United States, Florida boasts a diverse geography that includes the Everglades, expansive coastlines, and numerous lakes and rivers. The state's economy is robust, driven by tourism, agriculture, aerospace, and international trade. Major cities like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa are economic and cultural hubs, offering a wide array of attractions, including theme parks, art galleries, and music festivals. Florida is also home to world-famous beaches, such as those in Miami Beach and the Florida Keys, drawing millions of visitors each year.

The safest cities in Florida offer residents a high quality of life with low crime rates, enhancing the overall livability of these communities. Safety is a crucial factor in fostering strong, thriving neighborhoods where residents can feel secure. Factors contributing to the safety of Florida's cities include effective law enforcement, community policing efforts, and active local involvement in public safety initiatives. These cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, ensuring an accurate assessment of safety. With this focus on security, residents can fully enjoy Florida's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the constant concern of crime.

Tavares Population: 17,228 360 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 66 Property Crime / 100k: 294 chance of being a victim: 1 in 277

Tavares proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Florida. With only 360 crimes per 100,000 people, Tavares has a crime rate that is 79% lower than the Florida average. This equates to an average of 0.21 crimes per day and a 1 in 277 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Gulf Breeze Population: 6,725 454 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 73 Property Crime / 100k: 381 chance of being a victim: 1 in 220

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Gulf Breeze comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Florida with a crime rate of 454 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 29 counts of burglary, 352 counts of theft, 0 counts of vehicle theft, 73 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Gulf Breeze, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Marco Island Population: 17,963 476 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 73 Property Crime / 100k: 403 chance of being a victim: 1 in 210

With a population of 17,963 and a total crime rate of 476 per 100,000 residents, Marco Island is the 3rd safest city in Florida. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 84% lower than the Florida average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Davenport Population: 5,420 508 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 50 Property Crime / 100k: 458 chance of being a victim: 1 in 197

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Davenport is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 508, 84% lower than the Florida average. This amounts to 0.22 crimes per day and a 1 in 197 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Davenport a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

North Palm Beach Population: 13,090 605 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 61 Property Crime / 100k: 544 chance of being a victim: 1 in 165

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, North Palm Beach consistently ranks high in safety. In North Palm Beach, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 605, which is 87% lower than the state average.

Satellite Beach Population: 11,000 646 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 62 Property Crime / 100k: 584 chance of being a victim: 1 in 155

Satellite Beach has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Florida. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 646 crimes per 100,000 people, 89% lower than the Florida average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 53 reports of burglary, 531 reports of theft, 0 reports of vehicle theft, 53 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 9 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Safety Harbor Population: 17,893 682 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 100 Property Crime / 100k: 582 chance of being a victim: 1 in 147

Safety Harbor ranks as the seventh safest city in Florida and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 147 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.32 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Safety Harbor’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Florida.

Longboat Key Population: 7,299 749 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 749 chance of being a victim: 1 in 134

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Longboat Key is the 8th safest city in Florida. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 92% lower than the Florida average, reporting a total of 749 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Oviedo Population: 41,062 749 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 119 Property Crime / 100k: 630 chance of being a victim: 1 in 133

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Oviedo is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Florida, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 749 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 61% lower than the state average.

Wildwood Population: 7,339 753 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 101 Property Crime / 100k: 652 chance of being a victim: 1 in 133

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Florida, is Wildwood. With a low rate of crime that included 80 burglaries, 513 thefts, 59 vehicle thefts, 91 assaults, 0 robberies, 11 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 81% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Florida

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Tavares	17,228	66	294	360
2	Gulf Breeze	6,725	73	381	454
3	Marco Island	17,963	73	403	476
4	Davenport	5,420	50	458	508
5	North Palm Beach	13,090	61	544	605
6	Satellite Beach	11,000	62	584	646
7	Safety Harbor	17,893	100	582	682
8	Longboat Key	7,299	0	749	749
9	Oviedo	41,062	119	630	749
10	Wildwood	7,339	101	652	753
11	Fellsmere	5,692	199	558	757
12	St. Augustine Beach	7,010	131	684	815
13	Bay Harbor Islands	5,832	53	781	835
14	Port St. Lucie	195,773	99	749	848
15	Dunedin	36,480	91	785	876
16	Lynn Haven	20,910	130	760	890
17	Haines City	25,178	87	848	935
18	Lake Alfred	5,993	95	906	1,001
19	Flagler Beach	5,065	112	899	1,011
20	Lake Mary	16,987	66	956	1,021
21	North Port	68,779	102	973	1,075
22	Titusville	46,307	262	843	1,105
23	St. Cloud	53,132	164	945	1,109
24	Clewiston	7,910	112	1,052	1,164
25	Key Biscayne	12,867	63	1,106	1,169
26	Fruitland Park	9,185	214	991	1,205
27	Wellington	64,990	147	1,087	1,234
28	Pensacola	52,918	131	1,116	1,247
29	Miramar	140,479	171	1,083	1,254
30	Hialeah Gardens	23,546	86	1,214	1,300
31	Palm Bay	113,751	317	1,024	1,341
32	Neptune Beach	7,214	86	1,263	1,349
33	Coral Springs	133,370	138	1,247	1,384
34	Sunny Isles Beach	21,853	128	1,271	1,399
35	Atlantic Beach	13,831	159	1,275	1,434
36	Green Cove Springs	8,283	316	1,234	1,550
37	West Miami	8,152	291	1,279	1,569
38	Miami Lakes	31,021	103	1,495	1,599
39	Mascotte	6,031	368	1,277	1,645
40	Royal Palm Beach	39,615	234	1,417	1,650
41	Tarpon Springs	25,389	217	1,450	1,667
42	Greenacres	41,242	279	1,400	1,680
43	Oldsmar	14,824	114	1,607	1,722
44	Sebastian	25,613	163	1,581	1,744
45	Lighthouse Point	11,238	58	1,693	1,751
46	Longwood	15,514	199	1,577	1,776
47	Maitland	17,749	238	1,538	1,776
48	Doral	62,367	137	1,665	1,802
49	Clermont	36,757	189	1,638	1,826
50	Milton	10,259	165	1,678	1,843

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Florida is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Florida cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.