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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Sanford, FL has a Safety Score of 23/100 — higher crime than 77% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,795.2 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,296 of 2,971 US cities and #56 of 71 in Florida.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Sanford, Florida Safe?
Sanford, "The Historic Waterfront Gateway," sits on the southern shore of Lake Monroe. Once a major celery producer, the city boasts a vibrant downtown and a diverse population of over 60,000 residents.
Sanford has a safety score of 23/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,795.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Sanford ranks #56 out of 71 cities in Florida and #2296 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 23rd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 77% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Sanford is aggravated assault, at 403.6 per 100K — 1.2x the national average. Conversely, motor vehicle theft is relatively low at just 0.6x the national rate.
Year over year, Sanford's total crime rate decreased by 17.8%, with violent crime declining 12.9%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Sanford Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 363 | 542.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 4 | 6.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 27 | 40.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 62 | 92.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 270 | 403.6 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,507 | 2,252.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 175 | 261.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,198 | 1,790.7 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 134 | 200.3 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Sanford vs Florida Average
How does Sanford's crime rate compare to the Florida state average?
| Metric | Sanford | Florida Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 542.6 | 359.6 | +50.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,252.6 | 1,794.4 | +25.5% |
| Murder Rate | 6.0 | 5.0 | +19.1% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,795.2 | 2,154.0 | +29.8% |
Sanford Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Sanford, Florida.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 66,900 | 2,795.2 | 542.6 | 2,252.6 |
| 2023 | 64,218 | 3,402.5 | 622.9 | 2,779.6 |
| 2022 | 60,602 | 3,544.4 | 579.2 | 2,965.3 |
| 2020 | 62,342 | 3,058.9 | 819.7 | 2,239.3 |
| 2019 | 60,844 | 4,312.7 | 816.8 | 3,495.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sanford, Florida safe?
Sanford has a safety score of 23/100, meaning it has less crime than about 23% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,795.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Sanford is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Sanford, Florida?
According to FBI data for 2024, Sanford has a violent crime rate of 542.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,252.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does Sanford compare to the national average?
Sanford's total crime rate of 2,795.2 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 66,900 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Sanford?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Sanford include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Sanford safe to visit?
Like any city, Sanford has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 23/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.