Miami is a leading resort, a key Atlantic Ocean port, and one of the most significant transportation and business hubs in the States. Money attracts criminals, and Miami crime rate is not exactly low. Globally, it’s one of the biggest tourist destinations, offering beautiful beaches and exciting districts.
However, if you wish to visit the divers’ paradise, you’ll want to learn more about the crimes that occur. Knowing how safe Miami is will help keep you relaxed during your travel. These crime rates are also essential if you wish to move to Miami and live a peaceful life.
History of Miami Crime Rate
Miami was incorporated in 1915, and that’s when its crime-filled history began. It was known as a place of corruption, racism, and economic downfall. After its incorporation, the city became known for many notorious characters who roamed around, working with mobsters.
Even Al Capone himself purchased a house on Palm Island. During the segregation era, the beach was off-limits for anyone who wasn’t white, and the 1970s and 1980s saw an increase in the crime rate in Miami.
The political corruption continued flourishing, and even the Miami mayor took his chance by buying the votes. Then, sometime after 1997, the media became obsessed with Andrew Cunanan, who was thought to have killed four men in three states.
Once you learn more about the current crime rates in Miami, you’ll know what to pay attention to when you visit it.
Miami Crime Rate by Year – 2022
At the moment, Miami’s total crime rate is 41% higher than the US average. In addition, the violent and property crime rates are 43% and 40% higher, respectively.
The total daily crime rate per 100,000 residents sits at 9.06, while the violent and property crime rates are at 1.52 and 7.53, respectively. Overall, Miami is safer than 14% of other cities in America.
According to the Miami crime rate map, some of the best surrounding cities and neighborhoods are Fisher Island, Homestead Base, Indian Creek, El Portal, and others.
Living in Miami would expose you to one in 181 chances of being a victim of violent crime and one in 37 chances of being a victim of property crime. The city has 1,380 employees in law enforcement, with 3.3 officers per 1,000 residents.
About 69% of people feel safe and believe that the crimes aren’t impacting them too much, while only 3% of locals often feel unsafe.
Different Types of Crimes in Miami
Like any other city, Miami is also burdened with different crimes. Miami crime rate data shows that violent and property crimes are present all across the city. The residents face murders, aggravated assault, rape, and robbery, so much so that the rate of some violent crimes is usually higher than the national average.
On the other hand, property crimes are close to the national average, including burglary, larceny, arson, and motor vehicle theft.
Miami Crime Rate for Crimes Against Persons
Crimes against persons include murders, rape, aggravated assaults, and robbery. According to Miami’s numbers from 2020, there were 2,645 reported incidents of violent crime in the city.
Miami has a murder rate of 12.8.
(Areavibes)
When it comes to murder, Miami has a crime rate of 12.8. Compared to the national average of 6.5, Miami murder rate is almost twice as high. Moreover, based on the calculations per 100,000 residents, the city had 61 murders reported in 2020. On the other hand, Florida has a murder rate of 5.9, which is lower than the national average.
The assault rate in Miami is 394.9.
(Areavibes)
Miami has a pretty high number of aggravated assaults. The latest Miami crime stats show the rate for assault is 394.9, while the national average is 279.7. In addition, there were 1,880 reported incidents of assault in 2020.
There were 94 reported rapes in Miami during 2020.
(Areavibes)
Miami’s rape rate stands at 19.7, with a total of 94 reported cases of this violent crime. For comparison, Florida’s rape rate is 35.4, which is close to the national one of 38.4, calculated per 100,000 people.
There were 610 cases of robbery in Miami in 2020.
(Areavibes)
It turns out Miami murder rates are the lowest compared to other violent crimes. Finally, there’s robbery, with 610 reported cases and a rate of 128.1, which is higher than national and state averages. Florida’s robbery rate is 62.2 per 100,000 people, and the US average is 73.9.
Crimes Against Property
Crimes against property include burglary, larceny/theft, vehicle theft, and arson. The latest FBI report released in 2021 shows there were 13,092 reported incidents of property crimes in this city.
Miami locals were exposed to 1,453 burglaries.
(Areavibes)
In Miami, Florida, the crime rate data shows there were 1,453 reported incidents of burglaries in 2020. The rate for burglary in Miami was 305.2, while the Florida and US averages were 240.6 and 314.2, respectively.
The latest data from 2018 shows the larceny/theft rate for the year was 2,776.89 per 100,000 residents.
(Macrotrends) (Areavibes)
Miami’s larceny rate was 2,776.89 in 2018, which saw a decline of 10.16% from 2017. Thefts continued their downward trend in 2020, with a rate of 2,104.0. Furthermore, the residents reported 10,017 thefts in that year. According to the Miami, Florida crime rate data, this is the most common type of crime in the city.
A total of 1,622 people reported vehicle theft in 2020.
(Areavibes)
When it comes to vehicle theft, there were 1,622 reported incidents, and Miami’s vehicle theft rate was 340.7, higher than both state and national averages.
In 2018, the crime incident count for arson was 56 per 100,000 residents.
(Opendatanetwork)
The latest data from 2018 shows the crime incident count for arson was 56, while the crime incident rate was 12 per 100,000 residents in Miami.
Miami Crime Rate Compared to Other Cities – New York and Chicago
Selecting the safest city is never easy, especially if you’re looking to move to a larger place. This is how Miami measures against New York and Chicago.
Miami’s and Chicago’s total crime rates are 41% and 67% higher than the US average, respectively.
(Areavibes) (Areavibes)
Miami’s crime rate average is lower than Chicago’s but still higher than the US average, according to the latest data on Miami crime rate vs Chicago. Furthermore, Miami’s violent crime rate is 556, while Chicago’s is 943. There were a total of 2,645 and 25,532 violent crimes in Miami and Chicago during 2020, respectively.
Miami had 15,737 reported incidents in 2020, while New York had 177,320.
(Areavibes) (Areavibes)
Miami’s and New York’s rates for violent crime in 2020 were 556 and 578, respectively. Moreover, Miami’s residents reported a total of 15,737 crime incidents, while New Yorkers reported 177,320. Miami crime rate vs New York data also shows that New York had 47,959 violent and 129,361 property crimes in that year.
New York also had a total crime rate that’s 9% lower than the US average, while its property crime rate was 20% lower.
Conclusion
Miami is a beautiful place with relaxing beaches, great food, and many attractions. However, the second-largest city in Florida brings risks of assault and theft. According to Miami crime rate, these two crimes are the most common in the area.
Regardless, Miami had a total of 15,737 reported incidents in 2020, out of which 2,645 were violent, and 13,092 were property crimes. Its violent crime rate of 566 was also higher than the state and the national averages. Yet, many still feel safe in this city.
People Also Ask
Is Miami a safe city?
While many feel safe in Miami, its total crime rate is 41% higher than the US average. Additionally, the violent and property crime rates are 43% and 40% higher, respectively. Still, Miami is safer than 14% of other cities in the US.
Miami’s YoY crime rate has dropped by 22%, and its current total daily crime rate is 9.06, with the violent and property rates being 1.52 and 7.53, respectively.
What is the most common crime in Miami?
The latest data shows that theft is the most common crime in Miami, with a total of 10,017 reported incidents and 2,104 thefts occurring per 100,000 residents. Theft is also a huge part of the total property crime number.
Vehicle theft and burglary are also present, but not as much as larceny. On the other hand, murders are the least common occurrence.
How does Miami rank in crime?
Miami’s total crime rates are 41% higher than the US average. Overall, being in this city gets you one in 31 chances of being a victim of any crime. Currently, Miami is safer than about 14% of other cities in the US, and its year-on-year crime rate dropped by 22%. Theft is the crime that occurs most frequently, while murder is the least common.
Are there a lot of murders in Miami?
The latest FBI report published in 2021 containing data from 2020 shows that there were only 61 murders reported to law enforcement, which is a rate of 12.8 per 100,000 residents. However, compared to the Florida murder rate of 5.9 and the national rate of 6.5, that’s still pretty high.
When it comes to violent crime that includes murder, you’ll have one in 181 chances of being a victim, according to Miami crime rate data.
