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D

Is Lake Wales, Florida Safe?

Population 18,650 · Safer than 20% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Lake Wales runs high. The city's D grade puts it below 80% of US cities, with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,734 per 100K.

Lake Wales Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricLake WalesFlorida AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate283.7326.8363.8
Property Crime Rate2286.32070.61,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate181.0--268.2
Theft Rate1734.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate523.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

257 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

284/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2286/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Lake Wales

Violent crime in Lake Wales is below the national average. The rate of 283.7 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2286.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,734 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Lake Wales Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault181
067% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery66
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary429
01.6x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,734
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft523
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Lake Wales Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lake Wales
283.7
State
326.8
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lake Wales
2286.3
State
2070.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Wales Safety

Is Lake Wales safe?
Not especially. Lake Wales earns a D with a crime rate of 257 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Lake Wales?
257 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 283.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2286.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Lake Wales safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Lake Wales's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,734 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Lake Wales?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Lake Wales generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Lake Wales police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Lake Wales?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Lake Wales's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Lake Wales compare to other cities in Florida?
Below average for the state. Lake Wales ranks behind about 83% of Florida cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Lake Wales 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 Lake Wales?
Bad. A D grade and 257 per-thousand rate put Lake Wales below 80% of US cities. Violent crime at 284 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Lake Wales?
283.7 per 100,000, which is 22% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (181), robbery (66), and murder (6.0) 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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