How Many Murders Happen in Jacksonville? 2025 Statistics

Murder is a scary and uncomfortable topic for most people, and yet, being aware of your environment makes thinking about it necessary. For those who live, work, or visit Jacksonville, Florida, understanding the statistics is vital to feeling safe and protecting yourself and your family. While it is a wonderful place to visit, you might wonder how many murders happen in Jacksonville.

Due to multiple factors, the number of murders in Jacksonville, Florida, has actually declined. In 2024, only 76 murders were reported, compared with 148 murders in 2023. Halfway through 2025, there have been 31 recorded murders so far.

Life in Jacksonville, Florida

Along with being a tourist magnet, Jacksonville has the largest area of any other city in the United States, and it boasts the highest population of other Florida cities, with over one million residents. Its mild weather, convenient location, quality of life, and opportunities for business make it a very desirable place to live.

Residents can experience a variety of homes that range from beachfront properties to urban lofts to cozy homesteads. Jacksonville’s infrastructure allows businesses to thrive and tourists to explore with ease.

The Murder Rate in Florida Has Sharply Declined

While Jacksonville has previously earned the reputation as Florida’s “Murder Capital of the State,” its crime rates have declined significantly over the past few years. In fact, 2024 was the first time since 2011 that the murder count fell below 100. In the middle of the 1980s, Jacksonville’s murder rate was consistently above 200, so, along with the recent decline, the murder rate has fallen sharply in the past forty years.

Sheriff T.K. Waters attributes the falling numbers to:

• The hard work of his agency
• Citizen cooperation
• The Violence Reduction Strategy, which began in 2016 and focuses on known shooters
• Active patrolling

Other Crime Statistics in Jacksonville

Because crime rates are measured per resident, some areas appear to have higher crime rates because the neighborhood happens to be in highly trafficked areas, including popular shopping districts, airports, and parks. Beyond murder statistics, Jacksonville experiences the following other crime rates:

• 6 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. This includes assault, robbery, rape, and murder.
• 23 property crimes per 1,000 residents. This includes theft, vehicle theft, burglary, and arson.
• 24 other types of crime per 1,000 residents. This includes kidnapping, drugs, vandalism, identity theft, and animal cruelty.

Package theft has risen significantly in Jacksonville, along with other parts of Florida. Packages were stolen from 17.3% of residents in Florida, which affected around 43.7% of households. With this new type of crime, it’s important to remain vigilant, especially with packages delivered to your house.

Safest Neighborhoods in Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida, hosts a variety of neighborhoods, some safer than others. If you’re looking for a place to live or visit, then the following neighborhoods are statistically safer than others:

• Ponte Vedra Beach is 89% safer than other cities in the United States, with 0.0161 homicides per 100,000 residents.
• Mandarin is 94% safer than other cities, with 0.0033 homicides per 100,000 residents.
• San Marco on the St. Johns River has a 31% lower crime rate compared to other cities in Florida.

In general, Jacksonville, Florida, is among the rankings with other cities in the United States. It ranks in the 81st percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 81% of cities. Living and visiting Jacksonville is as safe as most other cities, and since it’s a fun and diverse place to be, it is well worth it.

FAQs

Q: How Many Murders Occur a Year in Florida?

A: The state of Florida ranks 25th in the nation for the number of murders, which is lower compared to other states. There were 1,473 murders in 2023, which makes the murder rate 7.2 per 100,000 residents. While the homicide rate is relatively low, in 2024, Florida had one of the most mass shootings of any other state, but that number is lower than in 2023. Generally, Florida’s crime rate has been shrinking over the past few years.

Q: Which State Has the Most Homicides?

A: The state with the highest homicide rate is Mississippi, at 14.5 per 100,000 residents, jumping 103% compared to 2012. Louisiana comes in at a close second at 19.8 per 100,000, rising 64% since 2012. While Florida still had over one thousand murders, the homicide rate rose only 11% compared with the top two states. Jacksonville’s murder rate has sharply declined.

Q: What Is the Crime Rate in Florida?

A: The average crime rate in Florida is 25.38 incidents per 1,000 residents. The top four most dangerous cities in Florida are:

• Miami
• Tallahassee
• Daytona Beach
• Jacksonville

Again, it’s important to note that Jacksonville, Florida’s crime rate has greatly decreased over the past two years. According to statistics, Marco Island is the safest city in Florida, with only seven violent crimes committed in 2024.

Q: Which County in Florida Has the Highest Crime Rate?

A: Brevard County has the highest crime rate in the state, with 5,353 violent crimes. Palm Beach County, however, contains three of the ten most violent cities in the state. Mangiona Park had over 14,056 incidents in 2024. Jacksonville’s Duval County ranks in the 57th percentile for safety, meaning it is 57% safer than other counties, with 3.3 violent crimes per 1,000 residents in 2024.

Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney Today

If you’ve been charged with a crime, you’ll want someone on your side who is not only experienced but who understands the law inside and out. Tyler V. Gates has been defending people who have been accused or charged with criminal activity for over a decade. He will fight for you, stand by your side, and provide the legal counsel you need as you face these charges.

To find out how we can help you, contact Gates Law Firm today and schedule a consultation.

See Related Posts:

• Jacksonville, FL, Crime Rate 2024 – Latest Statistics
• Florida DUI Laws and Penalties 2024 – What You Need to Know