F
73%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
53%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
77%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peoplePalatka/100k peopleFlorida/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime427n/a (estimate)4,0291,8252,324
Murder1n/a9.45.06.3
Rape1n/a9.430.240.0
Robbery3n/a28.333.666.1
Assault55n/a518.9190.1268.2
Violent crime60n/a (estimate)566259370
Burglary17n/a160.4173.5269.8
Theft328n/a3,094.61,254.71,401.9
Vehicle theft22n/a207.6138.0282.7
Property crime367n/a (estimate)3,4631,5661,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Palatka, FL

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.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Palatka?

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.

Is Palatka a Safe Place to Live?

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.

Has Crime in Palatka Increased Since Last Year?

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.

Potential Causes for Crime in Palatka

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.

Palatka crime map



The Palatka crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Palatka as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Palatka crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Palatka crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Palatka, FL Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Palatka crime rates are 73% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Palatka are 53% higher than the national average
      • In Palatka you have a 1 in 25 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Palatka is safer than 11% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Palatka has decreased by 31%

      Palatka, FL Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Palatka

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        See all Palatka poll results

        Daily Crime In Palatka (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Palatka on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of Florida and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Palatka (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to Florida, are 2.21 times more than the state average and 1.73 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Palatka on a daily basis are 2.19 times more than than Florida average and 1.53 times more than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Palatka are 2.21 times more than the daily state average and 1.77 times more than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Palatka (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Palatka in comparison to other Florida communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Palatka safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Palatka being safer than 16% of cities in Florida and 11% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking Florida cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Palatka. In conclusion, Palatka ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Palatka

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Palatka is 1 in 177
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Palatka is 1 in 29
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Palatka is 1 in 25
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Palatka? In Palatka, FL you have a 1 in 177 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 29 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 25 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Palatka.

        Year Over Year Crime In Palatka (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Palatka is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Palatka has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have increased by 5% in Palatka, while property crimes in Palatka have decreased by 35%. Total crime has decreased by 31% year over year.

        Palatka police department

        Item Palatka Florida National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)4131,023558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.84.23.3
        There are a total of 41 Palatka police officers. This results in 3.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 9.1% less than the Florida average and 18.3% greater than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Florida

        State Total offenders Florida /100K National /100K
        Florida53,771330266
        There are a total of 53,771 sex offenders in Florida. This yields a total of 330 sex offenders in Florida per 100,000 residents which is 24% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        East Palatka, FL1,625136822958
        Interlachen, FL1,843139843982
        Pomona Park, FL1,179142857999
        Flagler Estates, FL3,3481831,1041,287
        Crescent City, FL1,7042382,0232,261
        Hastings, FL1,3043542,1432,497
        Welaka, FL9553682,2262,594
        Palatka, FL10,3885663,4634,029

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Liberty Lake, WA10,3812021,9072,109
        Danville, IN10,380119851970
        Vidalia, GA10,3807515,1435,893
        Cambridge, OH10,398100782882
        Beverly Hills, MI10,37886812898
        Palatka, FL10,3885663,4634,029
        Source: The Palatka, FL crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.