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Miami, FL - A recent study has ranked a South Florida city among the top three most unsafe places to live in the United States.
The report, conducted by WalletHub, evaluated over 180 cities across the country, considering factors such as crime rates, natural disaster risks, and financial safety.
Based on these metrics, Fort Lauderdale ranked as the third most unsafe city in the nation.
While Fort Lauderdale remains a major tourist destination with vibrant culture and attractions, the report highlighted specific challenges, including high crime rates and vulnerabilities to natural disasters like hurricanes.
The findings have renewed calls for local leaders to prioritize public safety measures and disaster preparedness initiatives.
In response to the report, some residents and officials have questioned the methodology, arguing that Fort Lauderdale's reputation as an unsafe city does not reflect its diverse communities or its ongoing efforts to address crime and other risks.
Fort Lauderdale ranked 180 out of 182 for overall safety, with a total score of 26.06, a Home & Community Safety rank of 172, a Natural Disaster Risk Rank of 174, and a Financial Safety Rank of 176.
In 2023, Fort Lauderdale experienced a notable increase in assault cases, with 780 incidents reported, up from 680 in 2022.
This rise in assaults contributed to the city's overall crime rate, which stood at 41 per 1,000 residents, indicating a higher crime rate than 97% of Florida communities.
The likelihood of becoming a victim of violent crime in Fort Lauderdale was approximately 1 in 238, while the chance of experiencing property crime was about 1 in 27.
As of November 2024, Fort Lauderdale has reported a violent crime rate of 4.2 incidents per 1,000 residents, indicating a slight increase from previous years.
Property crimes remain a significant concern, with a rate of 37.05 incidents per 1,000 residents.
Fort Lauderdale has one of the highest motor vehicle theft rates in the nation, with residents facing a 1 in 256 chance of experiencing vehicle theft.
For more on the rankings and the methodology behind the study, visit WalletHub’s official website.