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D+

Is Palatka, Florida Safe?

Population 10,872 · Safer than 22% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Palatka is a smaller community of 10,872 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs well below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 249.3 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,616 per 100K.

Palatka Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPalatkaFlorida AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate201.8326.8363.8
Property Crime Rate2291.52070.61,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate114.0--268.2
Theft Rate1616.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate211.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

249.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

202/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2292/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Palatka

Violent crime in Palatka is well below the national average. The rate of 201.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2291.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,616 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Palatka Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault114
043% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery48
076% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary380
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,616
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft211
066% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Palatka Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Palatka
201.8
State
326.8
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Palatka
2291.5
State
2070.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Palatka Safety

Is Palatka safe?
Not especially. Palatka earns a D+ with a crime rate of 249.3 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs well below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Palatka?
249.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 201.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2291.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Palatka safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Palatka's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,616 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Palatka?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Palatka generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Palatka police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Palatka?
Crime rates have held steady in Palatka, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Palatka compare to other cities in Florida?
Below average for the state. Palatka ranks behind about 81% of Florida cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Palatka to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is well below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Palatka?
Bad. A D+ grade and 249.3 per-thousand rate put Palatka below 78% of US cities. Violent crime at 202 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Palatka?
201.8 per 100,000, which is 45% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (114), robbery (48), and murder (4.0) 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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