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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Winter Haven, FL has a Safety Score of 47/100 — higher crime than 53% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,784.7 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,579 of 2,971 US cities and #32 of 71 in Florida.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Winter Haven, Florida Safe?
Winter Haven, "The Chain of Lakes City," is a Polk County city in Central Florida. It was once home to Cypress Gardens, Florida's first theme park, which significantly shaped its tourism-dependent economy.
Winter Haven has a safety score of 47/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,784.7 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Winter Haven ranks #32 out of 71 cities in Florida and #1579 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 47th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 53% of US cities.
Year over year, Winter Haven's total crime rate decreased by 11.3%, with violent crime declining 27.3%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Winter Haven Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 140 | 235.5 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 4 | 6.7 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 3 | 5.1 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 14 | 23.6 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 119 | 200.2 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 921 | 1,549.2 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 96 | 161.5 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 760 | 1,278.4 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 65 | 109.3 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Winter Haven vs Florida Average
How does Winter Haven's crime rate compare to the Florida state average?
| Metric | Winter Haven | Florida Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 235.5 | 359.6 | -34.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,549.2 | 1,794.4 | -13.7% |
| Murder Rate | 6.7 | 5.0 | +34.1% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,784.7 | 2,154.0 | -17.1% |
Winter Haven Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Winter Haven, Florida.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 59,450 | 1,784.7 | 235.5 | 1,549.2 |
| 2023 | 57,382 | 2,012.8 | 324.1 | 1,688.7 |
| 2022 | 54,905 | 1,961.6 | 316.9 | 1,644.7 |
| 2020 | 46,275 | 2,357.6 | 369.5 | 1,988.1 |
| 2019 | 44,211 | 2,969.9 | 423.0 | 2,546.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Winter Haven, Florida safe?
Winter Haven has a safety score of 47/100, meaning it has less crime than about 47% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,784.7 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Winter Haven is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Winter Haven, Florida?
According to FBI data for 2024, Winter Haven has a violent crime rate of 235.5 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,549.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does Winter Haven compare to the national average?
Winter Haven's total crime rate of 1,784.7 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 59,450 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Winter Haven?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Winter Haven include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Winter Haven safe to visit?
Like any city, Winter Haven has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 47/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.