Sarasota County Crime & Safety

Sarasota County, Florida

Safety Score

34/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1533.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

201.2

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1332.1

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

34/100

Higher = safer

State avg 57/100

State Safety Rank

#54

of 67 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Sarasota County, Florida

Sarasota County Safety vs. National Data

Sarasota County reports a total crime rate of 1,533.3 per 100,000 residents, which is safer than the national rate of 2,385.5. The county earns a solid safety score of 97.6 out of 100. Local agencies report figures that reflect a generally secure community.

Sarasota Compared to Florida Averages

The county's crime rate of 1,533.3 is above the Florida state average of 1,027.9. Its safety score of 97.6 is slightly lower than the state's average score of 98.4. Thirteen reporting agencies provide the data used to track these local trends.

Sarasota vs. Neighboring Counties

Sarasota's crime rate of 1,533.3 is lower than Pinellas County's 2,078.4, but higher than Pasco County's 947.5. It is nearly identical to Palm Beach County's rate of 1,507.2. This places Sarasota in the middle of the pack for coastal Florida safety.

A Breakdown of Sarasota Crime

Property crime is the most common concern, occurring at a rate of 1,332.1 per 100,000 residents. Violent crime is much lower at 201.2, which is significantly safer than the national average of 369.8. Residents are most likely to experience property-related incidents.

Securing Your Sarasota Residence

Since property crime is the primary issue, installing a modern security system can be a wise investment. Ensuring that packages are not left on porches and that entries are lit can deter many thieves. Community awareness helps Sarasota remain a safe place to live.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Sarasota County, FL?

Sarasota County has a total crime rate of 1533.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (201.2 per 100K) and property crimes (1332.1 per 100K).

Is Sarasota County, FL safe?

Sarasota County has a safety score of 34/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #54 out of 67 counties in Florida for safety (1 = safest).

How does Sarasota County crime compare to the Florida average?

What types of crime are most common in Sarasota County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Sarasota County?

Crime data for Sarasota 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 Sarasota County?

Sarasota County has a safety score of 34/100, 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.