Violent
Property
Total
Gainesville, FL Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 147,022
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Gainesville, Florida Safe?
Gainesville has a safety score of 37/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,447.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Gainesville ranks #62 out of 71 cities in Florida and #2569 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 14th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 86% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Gainesville is rape, at 85.7 per 100K — 2.0x the national average. Conversely, motor vehicle theft is relatively low at just 0.3x the national rate.
Year over year, Gainesville's total crime rate decreased by 4.4%.
Gainesville Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 1,094 | 744.1 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 7 | 4.8 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 126 | 85.7 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 196 | 133.3 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 756 | 514.2 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 3,975 | 2,703.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 452 | 307.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 3,371 | 2,292.9 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 152 | 103.4 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Gainesville vs Florida Average
How does Gainesville's crime rate compare to the Florida state average?
| Metric | Gainesville | Florida Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 744.1 | 359.6 | +106.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,703.7 | 1,794.4 | +50.7% |
| Murder Rate | 4.8 | 5.0 | -5.2% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,447.8 | 2,154.0 | +60.1% |
Gainesville Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Gainesville, Florida.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 147,022 | 3,447.8 | 744.1 | 2,703.7 |
| 2023 | 146,744 | 3,608.3 | 738.7 | 2,869.6 |
| 2022 | 140,869 | 3,531.7 | 797.2 | 2,734.5 |
| 2021 | 136,085 | 29.4 | 11.0 | 18.4 |
| 2020 | 135,076 | 3,952.6 | 771.4 | 3,181.2 |
| 2019 | 135,085 | 4,175.2 | 687.0 | 3,488.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gainesville, Florida safe?
Gainesville has a safety score of 37/100. With a total crime rate of 3,447.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Gainesville is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Gainesville, Florida?
According to FBI data for 2024, Gainesville has a violent crime rate of 744.1 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,703.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Gainesville compare to the national average?
Gainesville's total crime rate of 3,447.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 147,022.
What types of crime are most common in Gainesville?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Gainesville include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Gainesville safe to visit?
Like any city, Gainesville has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 37/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.