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D+

Is Sarasota, Florida Safe?

Population 58,458 · Safer than 24% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

A D+ grade for Sarasota means there's room for concern. The 244.2 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 1,583 per 100K.

Sarasota Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSarasotaFlorida AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate260.1326.8363.8
Property Crime Rate2181.82070.61,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate154.0--268.2
Theft Rate1583.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate406.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

244.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

260/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2182/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Sarasota

Violent crime in Sarasota is below the national average. The rate of 260.1 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2181.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,583 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Sarasota Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault154
057% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery61
096% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary319
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,583
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft406
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Sarasota Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Sarasota
260.1
State
326.8
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Sarasota
2181.8
State
2070.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Sarasota Safety

Is Sarasota safe?
Not especially. Sarasota earns a D+ with a crime rate of 244.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Sarasota?
244.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 260.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2181.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Sarasota safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Sarasota's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,583 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Sarasota?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Sarasota generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Sarasota police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Sarasota?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Sarasota's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Sarasota compare to other cities in Florida?
Below average for the state. Sarasota ranks behind about 71% of Florida cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Sarasota 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 Sarasota?
Bad. A D+ grade and 244.2 per-thousand rate put Sarasota below 76% of US cities. Violent crime at 260 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Sarasota?
260.1 per 100,000, which is 29% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (154), robbery (61), and murder (4.0) 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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