Crime rates remain a pressing concern for many cities in Florida, impacting quality of life, economic growth, and public perception. Violent crimes such as assault, robbery, and homicide, alongside overwhelming property crimes, compound the challenges faced by city authorities, residents, and businesses.
Using recent statistics from 2025, this report identifies the top ten cities where crime rates are exceptionally high, spotlighting the urgency for focused intervention and community engagement.
1. Florida City
Florida City tops the list with the highest violent crime rate in the state, at about 17.56 per 1,000 residents, which is six times the state average. Property crime rates in Florida City also surge, with an incident every 14 residents on average.
Underlying issues include poverty, limited economic opportunities, and insufficient law enforcement capacity. Recent years have seen a disturbing rise in aggravated assaults, robberies, and murder cases, making urgent community and policy action essential.
2. Lake City
Lake City experiences violent crime rates of approximately 1,547 incidents per 100,000 people, placing it among Florida’s most dangerous cities. Problems here are exacerbated by drug trafficking and related violence along key interstates.
Despite some community efforts, challenges with gang activity and recurrent violent encounters persist, signaling the need for enhanced law enforcement strategies and social programs.
3. Belle Glade
Belle Glade is a crime hotspot, with violent crime rates nearly three times the national average. Recent notorious incidents, including fatal shootings and targeted attacks on law enforcement officers, have left residents fearful.
Elevated rates of assault, robbery, rape, and homicide point to systemic social and economic distress that requires multifaceted solutions involving policing, education, and community investment.
4. Riviera Beach
Though Riviera Beach has seen some reduction in violent crime, the city remains fraught with dangers, including fatal shootings and firearm-related offenses.
Its violent crime rate stands at about 0.0909 per 1,000 residents. The city’s investment in surveillance technology, including a real-time crime center with extensive camera networks, reflects efforts to tackle crime proactively, yet vigilance remains critical.
5. Cocoa
Cocoa’s violent crime rate holds steady at 61 per 1,000 residents, well above national averages, despite a 14% decrease in violent crimes and 18% drop in property crimes in the first half of 2024.
The city faces ongoing struggles to maintain safety amid persistent property crimes, requiring sustained community collaboration and policing innovation.
6. Opa-locka
Opa-locka’s crime rates remain alarmingly high with violent crimes recorded at 8.76 per 1,000 residents and property crimes just slightly lower.
The city’s abandoned buildings and transient populations contribute to persistent criminal activity, notably a high concentration of shootings in the “Opa-locka Triangle” area. Addressing these deep-rooted challenges demands comprehensive urban renewal and community policing.
7. Lake Park
With violent crimes at 7.45 and property crimes at 45.67 per 1,000 residents, Lake Park struggles with gang-related violence and criminal activities near rail corridors.
This city exemplifies how infrastructure zones can attract and harbor illicit behavior, necessitating targeted security strategies and social outreach.
8. Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida’s largest city, reports 6.31 violent crimes and 39.05 property crimes per 1,000 persons, ranking it among the state’s more dangerous urban centers.
Crime particularly affects certain neighborhoods, such as the Northside, prompting ongoing law enforcement efforts and community programs aimed at resilience.
9. Mangonia Park
Mangonia Park holds a notably high crime index of over 14,000, reflecting significant safety concerns. Specific data highlights an alarming prevalence of violent crime, positioning it as a critical focus area for law enforcement and municipal intervention.
10. Medley
Medley ranks similarly high with a crime index exceeding 12,000. The city faces challenges related to industrial zones and transient workers, which contribute to its crime dynamics.
Addressing these issues requires coordinated efforts between local government, business stakeholders, and public safety officials.
Conclusion
The disturbing trend of high crime rates in these Florida cities demands urgent attention from all stakeholders—residents, law enforcement, policymakers, and community organizations. While economic disparities and social challenges underpin many of these issues, proactive steps such as enhanced policing, community engagement, investment in education, and urban redevelopment are vital.
Recognizing these cities’ struggles is the first step toward mobilizing meaningful action that fosters safer, more resilient communities across Florida. The safety of families and the prosperity of neighborhoods depend on it—through collaborative efforts, there is hope for reversing these trends and restoring public trust and security.
This compilation, based on the latest 2025 crime statistics from multiple official and analytical sources, underscores the importance of informed, targeted responses to urban crime in Florida