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D

Is West Palm Beach, Florida Safe?

Population 127,189 · Safer than 16% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, West Palm Beach 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 1,950 per 100K.

West Palm Beach Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWest Palm BeachFlorida AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate410.5326.8363.8
Property Crime Rate2281.62070.61,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate240.0--268.2
Theft Rate1950.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate234.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

269.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

411/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2282/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for West Palm Beach

Violent crime in West Palm Beach is close to the national average. The rate of 410.5 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2281.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,950 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

West Palm Beach Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault240
089% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery54
085% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary419
01.6x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,950
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft234
074% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How West Palm Beach Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

West Palm Beach
410.5
State
326.8
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

West Palm Beach
2281.6
State
2070.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About West Palm Beach Safety

Is West Palm Beach safe?
Not especially. West Palm Beach earns a D with a crime rate of 269.2 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 West Palm Beach?
269.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 410.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2281.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is West Palm Beach safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. West Palm Beach's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,950 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in West Palm Beach?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in West Palm Beach generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the West Palm Beach police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in West Palm Beach?
Yes, there's been an uptick. West Palm Beach's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does West Palm Beach compare to other cities in Florida?
Below average for the state. West Palm Beach ranks behind about 85% of Florida cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is West Palm Beach to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in West Palm Beach?
Bad. A D grade and 269.2 per-thousand rate put West Palm Beach below 84% of US cities. Violent crime at 411 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in West Palm Beach?
410.5 per 100,000, which is 13% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (240), robbery (54), and murder (7.0) 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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