Florida has its fair share of cities that are not so safe to live in. Among the most dangerous places in the state are Lake City, Riviera Beach, and Cocoa. If safety is a top priority for you, it’s best to steer clear of these cities and the other worst areas in Florida known for violent crime. To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the worst places to live in Florida if safety is a concern. Keep reading to find out more.
Top 9 Most Dangerous Cities in Florida (2023)
1. Exploring Lake City
Lake City has been identified as the most perilous city in Florida due to its violent crime rate, which stands at 1,547 per 100,000 residents. This rate is not only the highest in the state but also one of the worst in the entire USA.
Lake City, with its population of around 12,500 people, provides a more affordable cost of living compared to other areas in Florida. However, the municipality also has alarmingly high poverty and crime rates. In fact, the likelihood of experiencing violent crimes in Lake City is almost four times higher than the state average, making it one of the most unsafe cities in Florida.
2. Discovering the Charms of Riviera Beach
Riviera Beach, a small community of 35,000 people, is considered to be one of the most perilous cities in Florida. The city has an alarmingly high rate of violent crimes, making it a risky place to live. Shockingly, Riviera Beach holds the dubious distinction of being the worst city in Florida in terms of the murder rate, which is seven times higher than the national average.
Located on the outskirts of the Miami metropolitan area, Riviera Beach is a city that should be avoided if safety is a concern. However, if you are looking for a relatively safer area, Singer Island in Riviera Beach is the least dangerous. Unfortunately, the rest of the city makes it one of the worst areas in Florida. Interestingly, it is less than a 10-minute drive from North Palm Beach, which is one of the safest cities in Florida.
3. Cocoa
Cocoa, a town in Florida, is known for its high rate of violent crime, making it a dangerous place to live. Despite having a small population of only 19,000 people, the violent crime rate in Cocoa is alarmingly high at 1,108 per 100,000 residents. This is 2.8 times higher than the national average and three times higher than the state average. The most prevalent types of violent crimes that occur in Cocoa are burglaries and assaults. Living in Cocoa can be risky due to the high incidence of violent crime.
If you’re looking for a tranquil and secure place to call home in the Sunshine State, Cocoa may not be the ideal location for you. This city is situated on the Space Coast, near Cape Canaveral, and is known to have some safety concerns.
4. Florida City
Located in South Florida, near the Everglades and the Florida Keys, Florida City has gained a notorious reputation for being one of the most unsafe cities in the sunshine state. With a population of around 12,000, this city is known for its high rates of car-jackings, making it one of the car-jacking capitals of the US. Moreover, the rates of other violent crimes are alarmingly high in Florida City, with residents facing a daunting 1 in 38 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
Florida City has seen a rise in crime rates over the past decade, unlike some other cities on this list that have been working on reducing their crime problems.
5. Lake Worth
Lake Worth, situated a quick drive south of Riviera Beach, is among the cities in Florida with the highest rates of violent crimes. With a violent crime rate of 996 per 100,000 residents, it is more than 2.5 times greater than the state and national average. Nevertheless, a silver lining is that crime rates in Lake Worth have been declining in recent years, although it remains one of the most perilous areas in Florida.
It’s important to note that the northern neighborhoods in Lake Worth are considered to be more dangerous than other areas in the city. For safety reasons, it’s recommended to steer clear of these neighborhoods entirely.
6. Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is a popular destination for tourists due to its race track and lively spring break parties, which attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. However, despite its popularity, Daytona Beach is also notorious for its high crime rate, making it one of the most dangerous places to reside in Florida.
Daytona Beach has a high rate of violent crime at 1,006 per 100,000 residents, making its residents nearly three times more likely to become victims of violent crimes than the state average. Additionally, property crime rates in the area remain elevated at almost 2.5 times the state average, further adding to the city’s crime-related concerns.
7. Lauderhill
Lauderhill, a city located in Florida, unfortunately, has gained a reputation as one of the most perilous cities in the state. The crime rates in Lauderhill have alarmingly increased in recent years. Shockingly, the city witnessed 632 violent crimes in 2022, which is more than 20% higher than in 2018. The violent crime rate in Lauderhill stands at 878 per 100,000 individuals, making residents of this city 2.3 times more likely to become the victim of a violent crime compared to the average rate in the state of Florida.
8. Orlando
Orlando has been identified as the most violent major city in Florida, with a violent crime rate 2.2 times higher than the state average.
Despite the fact that crime rates in Orlando had been on a steady decline for several decades, experiencing a significant drop since 2002, there has been a slight increase since 2020. Nevertheless, the city has made commendable strides in combating violent crime and ensuring the safety of its inhabitants.
