Florida’s small towns may conjure images of sandy beaches and tranquil streets, but a surprising number are plagued by severe crime in 2025. Below are the 12 most dangerous small towns, each with their location and the disturbing facts locals and visitors should know.
1. Mangonia Park, Palm Beach County
Mangonia Park, just north of West Palm Beach, tops Florida’s danger rankings in 2025 with a crime index of 14,056. Drug activity, frequent thefts, and high rates of violent crime make this town’s small population (under 2,000) especially vulnerable in neighborhoods off North Australian Avenue and the rail corridor.
2. Medley, Miami-Dade County
Medley, situated west of Miami city proper, is an industrial hub with fewer than 1,000 residents but a crime index exceeding 12,200. Property crimes are rampant around the town’s warehouses and trucking lots, with local law enforcement citing ongoing drug and gang challenges along Okeechobee Road and NW South River Drive.
3. Opa-Locka, Miami-Dade County
Opa-Locka’s unique Moorish architecture belies its high rates of shootings, robberies, and property crime. The “Opa-locka Triangle” near NW 22nd Avenue records the majority of dangerous incidents, with a crime index of 7,485. Transient populations and neglected buildings add to the risk, especially for residents in older apartment complexes.
4. Florida City, Miami-Dade County
Gateway to the Everglades and the Keys, Florida City posts a staggering crime index of 7,322. Drug-related robberies and frequent thefts cluster near US-1 truck stops and motels. Residents face three times the state’s average number of property crimes, with violent crime hotspots especially south of Palm Drive.
5. Cocoa, Brevard County
Cocoa, near Cape Canaveral, has a crime index of 6,011. Poverty exceeds 27%, leading to widespread property theft and drug arrests, predominantly in areas along US-1. Even the safer-looking residential sections require caution, with a 1 in 23 chance of falling victim to property crime annually.
6. Belle Glade, Palm Beach County
Belle Glade lies within Florida’s sugar farming region, suffering from a crime index of 5,225 and severe poverty. Drug offenses and violent assaults are frequent, especially near downtown and the lakefront neighborhoods. Unemployment and lack of opportunity fuel persistent trouble on Main Street and near the city’s canal districts.
7. Eatonville, Orange County
Eatonville, north of Orlando, is America’s oldest incorporated African American municipality but now faces serious property and violent crime. Gang activity near the FEC railway and Park Avenue is growing. Despite its cultural history, the town’s crime index reaches 5,034, with many incidents in and around local parks.
8. Riviera Beach, Palm Beach County
Riviera Beach, adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway, reports a crime index of 4,698, stemming from poverty and drug activity near Silver Beach Road and avenues south of Blue Heron Blvd. Violent crime and burglaries often affect waterfront communities and older housing developments.
9. Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County
Tourists flock to Miami Beach for nightlife and beaches, but robberies and assaults plague hotspots near Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive, especially during busy seasons. Its crime index is 4,614, with risks concentrated in areas frequented by visitors.
10. Madison, Madison County
Madison, near Florida’s northern border, records a crime index of 4,607. Property crimes and drug offenses are frequent, especially around the small downtown and peripheral neighborhoods. Police reports highlight rising thefts along US-90 and near local schools.
11. Bunnell, Flagler County
The seat of Flagler County, Bunnell is a crossroads town with a crime index of 4,537. Despite efforts to improve safety, drugs and burglaries thrive in residential zones along SR-100 and near older mobile home parks. Community resources remain stretched, and small businesses regularly struggle with break-ins.
12. Lake Park, Palm Beach County
Lake Park, just west of North Palm Beach, faces persistent gang activity and property crimes clustering near the FEC railway and Park Avenue. With a crime index of 4,520, residents must take extra precautions, and police maintain a strong presence in known hotspots around the Shell gas station and marina districts.
These small Florida towns, despite their modest sizes and scenic settings, are marked by high crime rates in 2025. From Miami-Dade’s troubled suburbs to overlooked inland crossroads, violence, theft, and social challenges have created difficult living conditions and serious risks for residents and travelers alike.
Sources
(https://www.noradarealestate.com/blog/top-50-most-dangerous-cities-in-florida/)
(https://reolink.com/blog/most-dangerous-cities-in-florida/)
(https://yohomobile.com/de-DE/en/most-dangerous-cities-in-florida)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV8EksOF98E)
(https://www.marshalllawtampa.com/blog/florida-crime-rate-by-city/)
