Alachua County Crime & Safety

Alachua County, Florida

Safety Score

19/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2160.7

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

458.7

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1702.0

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

19/100

Higher = safer

State avg 57/100

State Safety Rank

#62

of 67 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Alachua County, Florida

Alachua County Outpaces National Safety Trends

Alachua County maintains a safety score of 96.6, with a total crime rate of 2160.7 per 100,000 residents. This figure sits below the national average of 2,385.5, indicating a generally safer environment than many other U.S. communities.

Local Crime Rates Exceed Florida Averages

While competitive nationally, Alachua's crime rate of 2160.7 is more than double the Florida state average of 1027.9. Its safety score of 96.6 also falls short of the state’s high benchmark of 98.4.

Comparing Alachua to North Florida Neighbors

Alachua sees significantly higher crime activity than rural Bradford County, which reports a mere 32.4 crimes per 100,000 residents. As a major regional hub, Alachua experiences higher incident volumes than its more sparsely populated neighbors.

Violent Crime Trends and Property Risks

Property crime accounts for 1702.0 incidents per 100,000, while the violent crime rate of 458.7 exceeds the national average of 369.8. These numbers reflect the typical challenges faced by large university-centered populations.

Prioritizing Home Security in Alachua

With property crime making up the majority of local offenses, residents should prioritize home defense strategies. Installing motion-sensor lighting and smart security cameras can effectively deter potential intruders.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Alachua County, FL?

Alachua County has a total crime rate of 2160.7 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (458.7 per 100K) and property crimes (1702.0 per 100K).

Is Alachua County, FL safe?

Alachua County has a safety score of 19/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #62 out of 67 counties in Florida for safety (1 = safest).

How does Alachua County crime compare to the Florida average?

What types of crime are most common in Alachua County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Alachua County?

Crime data for Alachua County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Alachua County?

Alachua County has a safety score of 19/100, which is below the Florida average of 57/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.