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C-

Is Ocala, Florida Safe?

Population 71,753 · Safer than 28% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Ocala earns a C- safety grade with 232.9 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs close to the national average, putting the city behind 72% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,420 per 100K.

Ocala Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricOcalaFlorida AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate346.5326.8363.8
Property Crime Rate1982.22070.61,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate273.0--268.2
Theft Rate1420.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate291.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

232.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

347/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1982/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Ocala

Violent crime in Ocala is close to the national average. The rate of 346.5 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1982.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,420 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Ocala Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault273
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery61
096% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary320
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,420
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft291
091% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Ocala Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ocala
346.5
State
326.8
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ocala
1982.2
State
2070.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Ocala Safety

Is Ocala safe?
Not especially. Ocala earns a C- with a crime rate of 232.9 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Ocala?
232.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 346.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1982.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Ocala safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Ocala's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,420 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Ocala?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Ocala generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Ocala police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Ocala?
No. Crime in Ocala has been trending down, which is good news for the C--rated city.
How does Ocala compare to other cities in Florida?
Below average for the state. Ocala ranks behind about 81% of Florida cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Ocala to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Ocala?
Bad. A C- grade and 232.9 per-thousand rate put Ocala below 72% of US cities. Violent crime at 347 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Ocala?
346.5 per 100,000, which is 5% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (273), robbery (61), and murder (3.0) 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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