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D

Is Panama City, Florida Safe?

Population 37,806 · Safer than 16% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Panama City faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 84% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,993 per 100K.

Panama City Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPanama CityFlorida AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate331.9326.8363.8
Property Crime Rate2373.52070.61,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate191.0--268.2
Theft Rate1993.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate219.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

270.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

332/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2374/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Panama City

Violent crime in Panama City is close to the national average. The rate of 331.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2373.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,993 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Panama City Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault191
071% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery78
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary353
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,993
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft219
069% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Panama City Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Panama City
331.9
State
326.8
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Panama City
2373.5
State
2070.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Panama City Safety

Is Panama City safe?
Not especially. Panama City earns a D with a crime rate of 270.5 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 Panama City?
270.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 331.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2373.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Panama City safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Panama City's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,993 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Panama City?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Panama City generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Panama City police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Panama City?
No. Crime in Panama City has been trending down, which is good news for the D-rated city.
How does Panama City compare to other cities in Florida?
Below average for the state. Panama City ranks behind about 86% of Florida cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Panama City 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 Panama City?
Bad. A D grade and 270.5 per-thousand rate put Panama City below 84% of US cities. Violent crime at 332 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Panama City?
331.9 per 100,000, which is 9% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (191), robbery (78), and murder (3.0) 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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