| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Palatka/100k people | Florida/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 427 | n/a (estimate) | 4,029 | 1,825 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 9.4 | 5.0 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 1 | n/a | 9.4 | 30.2 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 3 | n/a | 28.3 | 33.6 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 55 | n/a | 518.9 | 190.1 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 60 | n/a (estimate) | 566 | 259 | 370 |
| Burglary | 17 | n/a | 160.4 | 173.5 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 328 | n/a | 3,094.6 | 1,254.7 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 22 | n/a | 207.6 | 138.0 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 367 | n/a (estimate) | 3,463 | 1,566 | 1,954 |
The Palatka crime rates are 73.3% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 60 violent crimes in Palatka (566 per 100,000 people), which is 53.1% higher than the national average and there were a total of 367 property crimes (3463 per 100,000 residents) which is 77.2% higher than average.
In Palatka, the crime rate stands at 4029 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 73.34%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Palatka that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Palatka. Based on the results of the surveys (31 responses), 29% of people felt that there was very little crime in Palatka and felt safe walking alone at night. While 71% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Palatka, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Palatka presents a total crime rate that is 73% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Palatka experiences an average of 1.17 daily crimes, comprising 0.16 violent incidents and 1.01 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Palatka. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Palatka has decreased by 29.8%. Violent crimes have increased by 7.1%, while property crimes have decreased by 33.5%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Palatka crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Palatka has an unemployment rate of 4.2%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.
Palatka has a population density of 1064.7 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Palatka crime rates.
High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Palatka, the cost of living is 17.35% lower than the national average.
| Item | Palatka | Florida | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 41 | 31,023 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.8 | 4.2 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Florida /100K | National /100K |
| Florida | 53,771 | 330 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| East Palatka, FL | 1,625 | 136 | 822 | 958 |
| Interlachen, FL | 1,843 | 139 | 843 | 982 |
| Pomona Park, FL | 1,179 | 142 | 857 | 999 |
| Flagler Estates, FL | 3,348 | 183 | 1,104 | 1,287 |
| Crescent City, FL | 1,704 | 238 | 2,023 | 2,261 |
| Hastings, FL | 1,304 | 354 | 2,143 | 2,497 |
| Welaka, FL | 955 | 368 | 2,226 | 2,594 |
| Palatka, FL | 10,388 | 566 | 3,463 | 4,029 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Liberty Lake, WA | 10,381 | 202 | 1,907 | 2,109 |
| Vidalia, GA | 10,380 | 751 | 5,143 | 5,893 |
| Danville, IN | 10,380 | 119 | 851 | 970 |
| Beverly Hills, MI | 10,378 | 86 | 812 | 898 |
| Cambridge, OH | 10,398 | 100 | 782 | 882 |
| Palatka, FL | 10,388 | 566 | 3,463 | 4,029 |
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