Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Lakeland, FL has a Safety Score of 31/100 — higher crime than 69% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,825.0 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,052 of 2,969 US cities and #80 of 132 in Florida.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Lakeland, Florida Safe?
Lakeland has a safety score of 31/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,825.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,950.0 per 100,000.
Lakeland ranks #80 out of 132 cities in Florida and #2052 out of 2969 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 31st percentile for safety — with higher crime than 69% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Lakeland is murder, at 10.5 per 100K — 1.2x the national average. Conversely, motor vehicle theft is relatively low at just 0.6x the national rate.
Year over year, Lakeland's total crime rate decreased by 11.4%, with violent crime rising 13.8%.
Lakeland Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 404 | 354.8 | 513.2 |
| Murder | 12 | 10.5 | 8.5 |
| Rape | 58 | 50.9 | 45.9 |
| Robbery | 80 | 70.3 | 109.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 254 | 223.1 | 349.3 |
| Property Crime | 2,813 | 2,470.2 | 2,436.8 |
| Burglary | 320 | 281.0 | 365.5 |
| Larceny-Theft | 2,275 | 1,997.8 | 1,750.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 218 | 191.4 | 321.3 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Lakeland vs Florida Average
How does Lakeland's crime rate compare to the Florida state average?
| Metric | Lakeland | Florida Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 354.8 | 471.3 | -24.7% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,470.2 | 2,300.5 | +7.4% |
| Murder Rate | 10.5 | 7.7 | +37.6% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,825.0 | 2,771.8 | +1.9% |
Lakeland Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Lakeland, Florida.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 113,876 | 2,825.0 | 354.8 | 2,470.2 |
| 2019 | 112,237 | 3,189.7 | 311.8 | 2,877.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lakeland, Florida safe?
Lakeland has a safety score of 31/100, meaning it has less crime than about 31% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,825.0 per 100,000 residents in 2020, Lakeland is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Lakeland, Florida?
According to FBI data for 2020, Lakeland has a violent crime rate of 354.8 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,470.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does Lakeland compare to the national average?
Lakeland's total crime rate of 2,825.0 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 113,876 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Lakeland?
Based on FBI 2020 data, the most reported crimes in Lakeland are larceny-theft (2,275 reported incidents) and burglary (320 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 7.0x in the city.
Is Lakeland safe to visit?
Like any city, Lakeland has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 31/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.