Ten Safest Cities in Florida

As residents and policymakers prioritize security, certain cities in the Sunshine State have emerged as exemplars in crime prevention. These Florida cities focus on community well-being with safety as a key factor. Residents feel assured they can safely walk around the block or park on the street. So where are these areas? These are the safest cities in Florida for 2023 based on their low crime rates. 

Crime Rate Reporting

The data is based on the figures in the FBI crime database. It relies heavily on self-reporting, so not all jurisdictions may be uploading their crime data.  

The data is further broken into “property crime,” which includes robbery, theft, and burglary, and “violent crime,” which are assault crimes like domestic violence and homicide. 

Figures are given as an average rate per 1,000 persons. A city with a “2” property crime rate then averages two property crime reports per 1,000 residents. 

This data was included with resources from Safewise and Niche to land on Florida’s safest cities. 

The big picture on safety in Florida

No place is 100% secure and safe, but some regions have lower crime incidents than others. As a state, Florida tracks near the national average. That makes sense, as it’s the third most-populated state in the country. 

Nationally, the violent crime rate for 2022 stood at 4, a number that has been stable for several years. Florida trended with that until this year when it dropped incrementally to 3.8. Florida’s reported violent crimes have trended downward since 2020.

Property crimes nationally averaged 19.6, and Florida dropped below this for the year, reporting 17.7 incidents. The state’s property crime has consistently declined over the last decade, with more significant drops in 2021 & 2022. 

For 2022, 367 of the state’s 758 law enforcement offices reported data to the FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) and Summary Reporting System (SRS).

2023’s Safest Cities in Florida

Florida’s reporting data needs to catch up to other states, so the most recent figures on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website date to 2021. Going through the report, the jurisdictions with the lowest incidents of total crime per 100,000 persons, total property crime, and total violent crime were as follows. Note that these are not zip-code-based but law enforcement jurisdiction-based. For that reason, we’ll include the counties with the lowest crime rates. 

Vero Beach 

The Vero Beach Police Department reported no violent or property crimes for 2021. Along Florida’s Atlantic coastline in Indian River County, Vero Beach epitomizes the charm of a coastal retreat. Vero Beach is a haven for residents and visitors alike with its pristine beaches, beautiful homes, and relaxed atmosphere.

Jupiter Inlet Colony

Just like Vero Beach, its police department had no incidents of crime reported in 2021. This tiny town only has 405 residents who enjoy living directly waterfront on Jupiter Inlet. It’s part of the greater Jupiter area in Palm Beach County.

Indian River Shores

Only ten property crimes were reported in Indian River Shores–three incidents of burglaries and seven larceny offenses. This stretch of island living is part of Indian River County. The Atlantic waves brush against its eastern shore, while mangroves and the Indian River provide beautiful views off the west side.

Sewall’s Point

Six property crimes occurred here in 2021, and no violent crimes. This community resides on a narrow peninsula jutting into the St. Lucie River in Martin County. The A1A crosses through the city’s heart, so residents can quickly commute inland to Stuart or across to the beautiful Hutchinson Island beaches.

Welaka

Tiny Welaka had three property crimes and no violent crimes. This small historic village is waterfront on Little Lake George, where it turns into the St. Johns River. Florida wilderness surrounds this town of fewer than 1,000 persons in central Putnam County.

Hillsboro Beach

Hillsboro Beach reported nine property crimes, four burglaries and five larceny offenses. The island town is part of Broward County’s beachfront communities that line Highway A1A. 

Golden Beach

Part of the Miami metro and across from top suburb Aventura, only five property crimes occurred in Golden Beach during 2021. Multiple condo residences line the Ocean Highway, and the urban coastal life is connected to top Miami suburbs like Sunny Isles and Hollywood.

Ponce Inlet

Up in Volusia County, Ponce Inlet’s 18 property crimes included three burglaries, 14 larcenies, and one theft. The 3,000 residents live primarily on the beachfront, with the Halifax River on its west side. The vibe is laidback coastal living.

South Palm Beach

This tiny Miami metro town is associated with top Palm Beach county cities. Only nine property crimes occurred in this town, which is north of Ocean Ridge and connected to the mainland through the Latana Bridge and Ocean Avenue. Lake Worth is to the north.

Astatula

Not many have heard of this town in central Lake County because it’s overshadowed by towns like Tavares, Leesburg, and Howey-in-the-Hills. Think classic Florida lake town as it faces the Little Lake Harris. Fifteen property crimes included four motor vehicle thefts and seven incidents of larceny. 

Safest Counties

Reporting data on Florida counties also lagged behind, but we used the most current figures available, typically either 2020 or 2021. Florida also measures crime rates per 100,000 persons, even though some counties have under 20,000 total residents.

Unsurprisingly, the counties with the lowest crime rates per 100,000 persons were also some of its more rural, but that wasn’t exclusive. 

Union County had a 38% decrease, reporting 531.7 incidents in 2021, making it the lowest reporting county in Florida. This rural county north of Gainesville is the smallest by land area and only has 16,000 residents. Lake Butler is its largest town.

On its heels, Lafayette County had 541 per 100,000 residents in reported crimes in 2020. It’s the second-least populated county, with just over 8,000 residents in 2020. Find Lafayette County in the Big Bend region between Steinhatchee and Live Oak.

Unlike the first two, St. Johns County is a highly populated part of the state, with major cities St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Sawgrass, and Butler Beach. It had 666.5 crime incidents in 2021, a 32% decrease from 2020. Outside the coastal area, it does become more rural, but overall it has 273,000 residents.

Gilchrist County had 669 crimes in 2020. Another rural north Florida county, this one had over 17,000 residents. Its major town was Trenton, known for natural attractions like Ginnie Springs and Fanning Springs.

The least-populated county, Liberty, reported 699.7 incidents of crime in 2020. Most of the land is protected as National Forest or State Park. Liberty is west of Tallahassee, the state capital, in the Panhandle region. 

Jackson County carried an 802 crime rate in 2020. This north Florida area shares a border with Alabama. Historic Marianna is the largest town, but the county has just under 50,000 residents.

Sumter County reported 881.1 crimes in 2020. Inside its borders, you’ll find The Villages, the nation’s largest retirement community, plus the towns of Wildwood and Lake Panasoffkee. It had almost 130,000 residents. The Villages historically have one of the state’s lower crime rates, but not enough to break the top ten in 2023.

Drive due south from Tallahassee, and you’ll end up in rural Wakulla County. It reported 883.1 incidents of crime in 2021. With over 33,000 residents, its towns include Crawfordville and Sopchoppy.

Between the Alabama border and the Panhandle beaches, Santa Rosa County had 936.9 incidents of crime in 2020. Included here are the top vacation towns of Gulf Breeze and Navarre. Other major towns are Milton and Pace. Even though the northeastern region is rural and protected wildlife land, the county has 188,000 residents. Most live near the coast.

Rural Glades County reported 940 total crimes and has only 12,000 residents. Its eastern border is Lake Okeechobee; the tomato-growing area’s largest towns are Moore Haven and Lakeport.

Safe Cities in Florida

The cities with the lowest crime rates in Florida showcase the state’s dedication to safety and exemplify the harmonious balance between urban living and community well-being. While these communities had the lowest crime rates in 2023, many other Florida cities are notable for their low crime rates. As always, a local real estate agent can help you research local safety in the neighborhood you’re looking to buy a home.