Is Fort Worth or Lake Wales Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Wales is safer than Fort Worth (Safety Score 47/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,772 per 100,000 versus 3,158 for Fort Worth — 44% lower. Fort Worth has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Wales has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Fort Worth is 59.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fort Worth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Wales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Worth, TX
Lake Wales, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Worth | Lake Wales | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,158.5 | 1,772.4 | +1,386.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 458.7 | 243.9 | +214.8 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 0.0 | +7.4 |
| Rape Rate | 55.2 | 23.8 | +31.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 72.6 | 17.8 | +54.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 323.1 | 202.2 | +120.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,699.8 | 1,528.6 | +1,171.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 344.6 | 190.3 | +154.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,841.9 | 1,189.6 | +652.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 513.4 | 148.7 | +364.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Worth or Lake Wales safer?
Lake Wales is safer with a total crime rate of 1,772 per 100K vs 3,158 for Fort Worth — a 44% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Worth has a violent crime rate of 458.7 per 100K while Lake Wales has 243.9. Lake Wales has lower violent crime.
About Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth, a city where the West begins, boasts a rich cattle drive history evident in the Stockyards National Historic District. Located in North Central Texas, it's a populous city within the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 997,476, Fort Worth has a total crime rate of 3,158.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Lake Wales, FL
Lake Wales, home to Bok Tower Gardens, sits in Polk County, Florida. This city in the geographic center of the state has a population of around 17,000. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 16,813, Lake Wales has a total crime rate of 1,772.4 per 100,000 residents.