Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Sarasota, FL has a Safety Score of 36/100 — higher crime than 64% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,164.9 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,900 of 2,971 US cities and #38 of 71 in Florida.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Sarasota, Florida Safe?
Sarasota, Florida, on the Gulf Coast, boasts Ringling Museum’s circus heritage. This city of over 50,000 residents is a popular snowbird destination.
Sarasota has a safety score of 36/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,164.9 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Sarasota ranks #38 out of 71 cities in Florida and #1900 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 36th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 64% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Sarasota is murder, at 12.0 per 100K — 1.9x the national average. Conversely, motor vehicle theft is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Sarasota's total crime rate decreased by 43.1%, with violent crime declining 16.6%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Sarasota Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 321 | 549.4 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 7 | 12.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 23 | 39.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 50 | 85.6 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 241 | 412.5 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 944 | 1,615.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 144 | 246.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 794 | 1,358.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 10.3 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Sarasota vs Florida Average
How does Sarasota's crime rate compare to the Florida state average?
| Metric | Sarasota | Florida Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 549.4 | 359.6 | +52.8% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,615.6 | 1,794.4 | -10.0% |
| Murder Rate | 12.0 | 5.0 | +138.6% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,164.9 | 2,154.0 | +0.5% |
Sarasota Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Sarasota, Florida.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 58,432 | 2,164.9 | 549.4 | 1,615.6 |
| 2022 | 55,380 | 3,802.8 | 659.1 | 3,143.7 |
| 2020 | 59,002 | 3,340.6 | 591.5 | 2,749.1 |
| 2019 | 58,470 | 3,726.7 | 550.7 | 3,176.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sarasota, Florida safe?
Sarasota has a safety score of 36/100, meaning it has less crime than about 36% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,164.9 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Sarasota is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Sarasota, Florida?
According to FBI data for 2024, Sarasota has a violent crime rate of 549.4 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,615.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does Sarasota compare to the national average?
Sarasota's total crime rate of 2,164.9 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 58,432 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Sarasota?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Sarasota include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Sarasota safe to visit?
Like any city, Sarasota has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 36/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.