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C-

Is Key West, Florida Safe?

Population 24,999 · Safer than 29% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Key West is a smaller community of 24,999 people with a C- safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 230.1 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,593 per 100K.

Key West Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricKey WestFlorida AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate274.0326.8363.8
Property Crime Rate2027.12070.61,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate184.0--268.2
Theft Rate1593.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate239.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC-

230.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

274/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

2027/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Key West

Violent crime in Key West is below the national average. The rate of 274.0 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2027.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,593 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Key West Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault184
069% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery41
065% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary329
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,593
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft239
075% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Key West Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Key West
274.0
State
326.8
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Key West
2027.1
State
2070.6
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Key West Safety

Is Key West safe?
Not especially. Key West earns a C- with a crime rate of 230.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Key West?
230.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 274.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2027.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Key West safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Key West's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,593 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Key West?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Key West generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Key West police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Key West?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Key West's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C- grade overall.
How does Key West compare to other cities in Florida?
Below average for the state. Key West ranks behind about 79% of Florida cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Key West to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Key West?
Bad. A C- grade and 230.1 per-thousand rate put Key West below 71% of US cities. Violent crime at 274 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Key West?
274.0 per 100,000, which is 25% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (184), robbery (41), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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