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D+

Is Lakeland, Florida Safe?

Population 125,520 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

A D+ grade for Lakeland means there's room for concern. The 253.1 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime below the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,658 per 100K.

Lakeland Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricLakelandFlorida AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate285.9326.8363.8
Property Crime Rate2245.52070.61,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate167.0--268.2
Theft Rate1658.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate344.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

253.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

286/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2246/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Lakeland

Violent crime in Lakeland is below the national average. The rate of 285.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2245.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,658 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Lakeland Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault167
062% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery57
090% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary281
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,658
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft344
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Lakeland Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lakeland
285.9
State
326.8
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lakeland
2245.5
State
2070.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Lakeland Safety

Is Lakeland safe?
Not especially. Lakeland earns a D+ with a crime rate of 253.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Lakeland?
253.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 285.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2245.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Lakeland safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Lakeland's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,658 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Lakeland?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Lakeland generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Lakeland police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Lakeland?
No. Crime in Lakeland has been trending down, which is good news for the D+-rated city.
How does Lakeland compare to other cities in Florida?
Below average for the state. Lakeland ranks behind about 70% of Florida cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Lakeland to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Lakeland?
Bad. A D+ grade and 253.1 per-thousand rate put Lakeland below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 286 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Lakeland?
285.9 per 100,000, which is 21% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (167), robbery (57), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

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View all Florida city safety grades

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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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