Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Bartow, FL has a Safety Score of 33/100 — higher crime than 67% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,281.8 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,982 of 2,971 US cities and #40 of 71 in Florida.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Bartow, Florida Safe?
Bartow, the "City of Oaks and Azaleas," is the county seat of Polk County in Central Florida. Founded in 1851, it's home to the historic Polk County Courthouse and a diverse population of about 20,000 residents.
Bartow has a safety score of 33/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,281.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Bartow ranks #40 out of 71 cities in Florida and #1982 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 33rd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 67% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Bartow is burglary, at 372.4 per 100K — 1.3x the national average. Conversely, motor vehicle theft is relatively low at just 0.3x the national rate.
Year over year, Bartow's total crime rate decreased by 13.3%, with violent crime rising 28.2%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Bartow Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 103 | 491.7 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 4.8 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 9 | 43.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 14 | 66.8 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 79 | 377.1 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 375 | 1,790.2 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 78 | 372.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 272 | 1,298.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 25 | 119.3 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Bartow vs Florida Average
How does Bartow's crime rate compare to the Florida state average?
| Metric | Bartow | Florida Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 491.7 | 359.6 | +36.7% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,790.2 | 1,794.4 | -0.2% |
| Murder Rate | 4.8 | 5.0 | -5.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,281.8 | 2,154.0 | +5.9% |
Bartow Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Bartow, Florida.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20,948 | 2,281.8 | 491.7 | 1,790.2 |
| 2023 | 20,070 | 2,630.8 | 383.7 | 2,247.1 |
| 2022 | 19,634 | 2,241.0 | 422.7 | 1,818.3 |
| 2020 | 20,507 | 2,272.4 | 229.2 | 2,043.2 |
| 2019 | 20,296 | 3,399.7 | 379.4 | 3,020.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bartow, Florida safe?
Bartow has a safety score of 33/100, meaning it has less crime than about 33% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,281.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Bartow is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Bartow, Florida?
According to FBI data for 2024, Bartow has a violent crime rate of 491.7 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,790.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does Bartow compare to the national average?
Bartow's total crime rate of 2,281.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 20,948 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Bartow?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Bartow include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Bartow safe to visit?
Like any city, Bartow has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 33/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.