| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | West Palm Beach/100k people | Florida/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 3,431 | n/a (estimate) | 2,714 | 1,688 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 10 | n/a | 7.9 | 3.9 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 75 | n/a | 59.3 | 27.9 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 201 | n/a | 159.0 | 38.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 442 | n/a | 349.6 | 197.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 728 | n/a (estimate) | 576 | 267 | 359 |
| Burglary | 389 | n/a | 307.7 | 152.5 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 2,278 | n/a | 1,801.8 | 1,144.9 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 36 | n/a | 28.5 | 123.0 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 2,703 | n/a (estimate) | 2,138 | 1,420 | 1,760 |
The West Palm Beach crime rates are 28.1% 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 728 violent crimes in West Palm Beach (576 per 100,000 people), which is 60.4% higher than the national average and there were a total of 2703 property crimes (2138 per 100,000 residents) which is 21.5% higher than average.
AreaVibes surveyed 85 local residents in West Palm Beach to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 29% of people answered that there was very little crime in West Palm Beach and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 71% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.
Determining whether West Palm Beach is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, West Palm Beach has an overall crime rate that is 28% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 9.4 daily occurrences, comprising 1.99 violent crimes and 7.41 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of West Palm Beach as a potential place to establish residency.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in West Palm Beach. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in West Palm Beach has decreased by 27.4%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 15.6%, while property crime has decreased by 30%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in West Palm Beach.
There are more than 30 different neighborhoods in the West Palm Beach area. Depending on their location and other socioeconomic factors, the rate of crime in each neighborhood is vastly different. Areas that are located near the center or downtown core, tend to be more densely populated and typically see higher crime rates. While neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city tend to be less densely populated and have lower unemployment and poverty rates. Some of the safer neighborhoods in West Palm Beach include Sunshine Park, Downtown and El Cid. While Palm Club Village, Roosevelt Estates and Southwest have a reported crime rate that is higher than average. This reinforces the need to do a quality check on multiple neighborhoods as their crime rates can be quite different.
In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. West Palm Beach currently has an unemployment rate of 4.9%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.
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 West Palm Beach, the cost of living is 16.26% higher than the national average.
In West Palm Beach, the average rental rates are $2,064 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | West Palm Beach | Florida | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 357 | 31,023 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.5 | 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 |
| Atlantis, FL | 1,938 | 37 | 199 | 237 |
| Gun Club Estates, FL | 1,126 | 37 | 199 | 237 |
| Loxahatchee Groves, FL | 3,640 | 51 | 270 | 321 |
| Lake Clarke Shores, FL | 3,708 | 51 | 270 | 321 |
| Hypoluxo, FL | 2,893 | 78 | 414 | 492 |
| Haverhill, FL | 2,488 | 81 | 429 | 510 |
| Cabana Colony, FL | 2,758 | 89 | 474 | 563 |
| West Palm Beach, FL | 113,363 | 576 | 2,138 | 2,714 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Billings, MT | 113,244 | 746 | 3,083 | 3,829 |
| Centennial, CO | 113,795 | 173 | 1,709 | 1,882 |
| Boulder, CO | 112,777 | 322 | 2,733 | 3,055 |
| Broken Arrow, OK | 112,690 | 223 | 1,201 | 1,424 |
| Downey, CA | 114,056 | 448 | 1,917 | 2,365 |
| West Palm Beach, FL | 113,363 | 576 | 2,138 | 2,714 |
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