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D

Is Winter Haven, Florida Safe?

Population 62,313 · Safer than 17% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Winter Haven faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 83% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,398 per 100K.

Winter Haven Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWinter HavenFlorida AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate405.9326.8363.8
Property Crime Rate2259.72070.61,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate262.0--268.2
Theft Rate1398.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate519.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

266.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

406/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2260/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Winter Haven

Violent crime in Winter Haven is close to the national average. The rate of 405.9 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2259.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,398 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Winter Haven Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault262
098% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery77
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary269
0100% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,398
0100% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft519
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Winter Haven Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Winter Haven
405.9
State
326.8
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Winter Haven
2259.7
State
2070.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Winter Haven Safety

Is Winter Haven safe?
Not especially. Winter Haven earns a D with a crime rate of 266.6 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 Winter Haven?
266.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 405.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2259.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Winter Haven safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Winter Haven's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,398 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Winter Haven?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Winter Haven generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Winter Haven police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Winter Haven?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Winter Haven's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Winter Haven compare to other cities in Florida?
Below average for the state. Winter Haven ranks behind about 83% of Florida cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Winter Haven 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 Winter Haven?
Bad. A D grade and 266.6 per-thousand rate put Winter Haven below 83% of US cities. Violent crime at 406 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Winter Haven?
405.9 per 100,000, which is 12% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (262), robbery (77), 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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