According to recent FBI statistics, the four most dangerous cities in Florida are Lake City, Riviera Beach, Cocoa, and Florida City. These cities have consistently shown high rates of violent crime, making them areas of concern for residents and visitors alike.
1. Lake City
The most dangerous city in Florida is Lake City. With a violent crime rate of 1,547 per 100,000 residents, it has the highest crime rate in the state and is one of the worst in the country.
Lake City has about 12,500 residents and a lower cost of living compared to most places in Florida. However, it also has very high poverty and crime rates. The chance of being a victim of a violent crime in Lake City is almost four times higher than the state average, making it one of the least safe cities in Florida.
2. Riviera Beach
Riviera Beach is one of the most dangerous cities in Florida. With a population of 35,000, it has a very high violent crime rate. Notably, its murder rate is seven times higher than the national average, making it the worst in Florida for murders.
Located near the Miami metro area, most of Riviera Beach is unsafe. The only relatively safe part is Singer Island. Despite this, Riviera Beach is just a 10-minute drive from North Palm Beach, which is one of the safest cities in Florida.
3. Cocoa
Cocoa is one of the worst places to live in Florida because of its very high violent crime rate. With a population of just 19,000, Cocoa has a 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 most common violent crimes in Cocoa are burglaries and assaults. Located on the Space Coast near Cape Canaveral, Cocoa is not a safe or peaceful place to live in Florida.
4. Florida City
Florida City is considered one of the worst cities in Florida because of its high crime rates. This small city of about 12,000 people is in South Florida, near the Everglades and the Florida Keys, and is known for a high number of car-jackings.
Other violent crimes are also common, with residents having about a 1 in 38 chance of being a victim. Unlike some other cities that are improving, Florida City’s crime rates have increased over the past decade.
Conclusion
These four cities in Florida stand out as the most dangerous places to live due to their high violent crime rates. Residents and visitors should be aware of these areas and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
While some cities are making efforts to reduce crime rates, others continue to struggle with high crime rates. It is essential to thoroughly research any area before making a decision, prioritizing safer neighborhoods or cities nearby.