St. Petersburg, Florida is a vibrant city known for its beautiful beaches, cultural events, and excellent quality of life. Many people moving to the area have “Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg” on their mind. Safety is important to everyone when moving to a new area. In fact, St Petersburg is one of the safest cities in Florida. Moreover, with many safe neighborhoods to choose from. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the safest areas of St. Petersburg based purely on statistical crime data. But we think every part of St Petersburg is a wonderful place to live.
Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg: Police Department Statistics
According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, the overall crime rate in the city has been decreasing steadily over the past few years. In 2020, the city saw a 14% decrease in violent crime and a 12% decrease in property crime compared to the previous year. These statistics are a testament to the hard work of the police department and the city’s commitment to keeping its residents safe.
Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg: Low Crime Rate
One of the Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg is the neighborhood of Old Northeast. This historic neighborhood is known for its tree-lined streets, beautiful homes, and friendly community. The crime rate in Old Northeast is significantly lower than the national average, with only 1.28 crimes per 1,000 residents. This is due in part to the neighborhood’s active neighborhood association, which works closely with the police department to ensure the safety of residents.
Another safe area of St. Petersburg is Snell Isle. This waterfront neighborhood is located just east of downtown and is known for its beautiful homes, parks, and marinas. The crime rate in Snell Isle is also well below the national average, with only 1.67 crimes per 1,000 residents. The neighborhood is a popular choice for families and professionals, with many excellent schools and job opportunities in the area.
Shore Acres is another one of the Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg. This waterfront neighborhood is located on the city’s northeast side and is known for its beautiful homes, parks, and boating opportunities. The crime rate in Shore Acres is slightly higher than Old Northeast and Snell Isle, but still well below the national average, with only 2.23 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg: Low Crime on the Map
In addition to these neighborhoods, Central Oak Park, Live Oaks, Disston Heights, Lake Pasadena and Crescent Lake are also considered safe and desirable areas to live in St. Petersburg. These neighborhoods are located just west and north of downtown, respectively, and are known for their beautiful homes, parks, and friendly communities.
Aside from its safe neighborhoods, St. Petersburg is also a wonderful place to live for its many attractions and amenities. The city is home to several world-class museums, including the Salvador Dali Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, as well as a vibrant arts scene with numerous galleries and theaters. The city is also known for its excellent restaurants and breweries, with a diverse range of cuisines and flavors to choose from.
For outdoor enthusiasts, St. Petersburg offers miles of pristine beaches, as well as several parks and nature preserves. The city is also home to many community events and festivals throughout the year, including the St. Pete Pride Parade, the Firestone Grand Prix, and the Mainsail Art Festival.
If you’re considering a move to St Petersburg, Florida, you might be worried about crime. Despite holding the world record for the most consecutive days with sunshine and boasting of its beaches, cultural attractions, and lively downtown, St Petersburg has a reputation for a high crime rate. However, this is an outdated perception. Crime has been on a steady decline for years, and when you examine crime statistics by neighborhood, you’ll find that St Petersburg is a safe place to reside. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about crime in St Petersburg, including how it compares to the national average, the areas that are considered safe or high-crime, and why crime rates don’t provide the complete picture.
Here is a map from Crimegrade.org that shows the current violent crime rate in St Petersburg FL. Red areas have highest rate and green has the lowest rate.
Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg: Types of Crime
To understand the crime rate in St Petersburg, one of the most effective methods is to compare it to where you currently reside. Crime rates offer a straightforward way to compare crime among different cities and to the national average. The crime rate is determined by the per-capita amount of crime, with the total number of property and violent crimes reported per 100,000 residents. The crime rates mentioned below, unless specified otherwise, are based on the FBI Uniform Crime Statistics from 2019. These rates only consider “index crimes,” which is a specific list of crimes reported and measured each year, consisting of eight index crimes that are further categorized into property and violent crimes.
Crimes such as drunk driving, drug offenses, and disorderly conduct are not factored into crime rates since only index crimes are considered. Index crimes are deemed more severe, have better tracking and research, and more accurately reflect your likelihood of being a victim of crime than, for instance, the number of individuals detained for marijuana possession.
Another valuable tool for assessing crime in St. Petersburg is a crime map. The Pinellas County Crime Viewer is one option, allowing you to search by crime type, location, and agency like the St. Petersburg police department. You may also utilize the SpotCrime map, which shows crime in St Petersburg.
To understand the crime rate in St Petersburg, it is necessary to compare it to a benchmark. The current national crime rate is as follows:
- 2,580 total crimes per 100,000 people
- 2,362 property crimes per 100,000 people
- 382 violent crimes per 100,000 people
In comparison, St Petersburg’s crime rate is as follows:
- 3,927 total crimes per 100,000 people
- 3,303 property crimes per 100,000 people
- 624 violent crimes per 100,000 people
Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg: Low for City
St Petersburg’s crime rate is higher than the national average, but it remains safer than many medium-sized and large cities across the United States. St Petersburg has a population of 261,000, and here’s how its crime rate compares to other cities:
- Orlando (pop: 287,000) – 30% more crime than St. Pete
- Tampa (pop: 388,000) – 88% less crime
- Miami (pop: 473,000) – 6% more crime
- St. Louis, MO (pop: 307,000) – 49% more crime
- Cincinnati (pop: 302,000) – 27% more crime
- Pittsburgh (pop: 303,000) – 9% less crime
- Scottsdale (pop: 255,000) – 64% less crime
- New Orleans (pop: 396,000) – 31% more crime
- Salt Lake City (pop: 203,000) – 43% more crime
Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg: Spike in 2021
There was a spike in crime during 2021. Bu between 2008 and 2020, crime in St Petersburg saw a downward trend. From the 2021 spike, in 2022 the rate went back down. Here are the statistics for crimes tracked by the SPPD for the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program in 2020 compared to the highest recorded over the past 12 years:
- Larceny: down 50% from its peak in 2015 to 2020
- Burglary: down 80% from its peak in 2009 to 2020
- Aggravated assault: down 40% from its peak in 2009 to 2020
- Car theft: down 72% from its peak in 2009 to 2020
- Robbery: down 75% from its peak in 2008 to 2020
- Rape: up 17% from the previous peak in 2013 to 2020
Regarding property crime in St Petersburg, there were 8,784 property crimes in 2019, including 6,832 cases of larceny or theft, 1,206 burglaries, 746 car thefts, and 27 arsons. The property crime rate in St Pete, FL dropped 2.2% from 2018 to 2019, and you have a 1 in 30 chance of being a victim of property crime in St. Petersburg. The St. Petersburg Police Department also reports the value of stolen property and the recovered value. For example, in 2019, there were $10.51 million worth of stolen motor vehicles, with $9.579 million worth of them recovered, $647,000 worth of stolen cash with only $6,000 worth of it recovered, and $98,000 worth of stolen firearms with $17,000 worth of them recovered. Additionally, in 2019, 937 stolen vehicles were recovered, most of which were stolen locally and then recovered locally by the police.
Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg: Crime Statistics in St Petersburg
Between 2008 and 2020, crime in St Petersburg trended downward. According to data from the St Petersburg Police Department’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, the following crimes decreased to their respective 12-year lows in 2020: larceny (down 50% from 2015), burglary (down 80% from 2009), aggravated assault (down 40% from 2009), car theft (down 72% from 2009), and robbery (down 75% from 2008). However, rape increased by 17% from its previous peak in 2013.
In 2019, there were 8,784 property crimes in St Petersburg, including 6,832 thefts, 1,206 burglaries, 746 car thefts, and 27 arsons. The property crime rate decreased by 2.2% from 2018 to 2019, and the St Petersburg Police Department reports that stolen motor vehicles had a stolen value of $10.51 million, of which $9.579 million was recovered. In addition, stolen cash had a stolen value of $647,000, of which only $6,000 was recovered, and stolen firearms had a stolen value of $98,000, of which $17,000 was recovered. Most of the 937 stolen vehicles that were recovered in 2019 were stolen and recovered locally by the police.
Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg: Violent Crime in St Petersburg
In 2019, St. Petersburg had 1,660 violent crimes, including 1,138 aggravated assaults, 368 robberies, 133 rapes, and 21 homicides/non-negligent manslaughter. The chance of being the victim of violent crime in St. Petersburg is 1 in 160, and the murder rate is 7.9 homicides per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national average of 5 homicides/100k people but lower than many other cities. For example, Denver has 9 homicides/100k people, while Cincinnati has a homicide rate of 18.9 murders/100k people and St. Louis, MO has a murder rate of 87 murders/100k people. The St. Petersburg Police Department classifies a large share of violent crime as domestic violence, not violence committed against unknown people. In 2019, there were 2,185 domestic violence offenses in St. Pete, down 8.4% from 2018, including simple assault, aggravated assault, rape, murder, manslaughter, and other offenses like stalking, threats, and fondling.
Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg: Dangerous Areas of St Petersburg
Although the crime rate in St. Petersburg may seem high, it is important to consider that a large share of crime, particularly violent crime, occurs in the area known as South St. Petersburg or Southside. Police records show this is south of downtown and borders Lake Maggiore. Despite over $200 million being spent in the area to reduce poverty, improve education, and combat crime since the 1990s, an investigation by the Tampa Bay Times found that this has done little to help residents.
The highest poverty levels and most violent crime in St. Petersburg are still concentrated in the region known as South St. Petersburg. Between 1999 and 2012, the poverty rate in the area increased from 33% to 43%. Residents in the region typically spend 50-80% of their total income on rent and homeownership rates have plummeted by 20% over the past two decades, a much steeper decline than the rest of St. Petersburg.
Although some neighborhoods in Southside are cause for concern, the community is actively working to improve the area. In 2020, Bartlett Park has a significant issue with homelessness and residents worry it may turn into a tent city. Childs Park is another community in the area with higher crime rates than other neighborhoods. However, the proactive neighborhood association and community policing program in Campbell Park have resulted in a drop in crime.
Safest neighborhoods St Petersburg FL Property Crime
South St. Pete is often stigmatized by those living in other parts of the city, but this reputation is unfair. While crime remains a problem in the area, many appreciate the community’s diversity, close-knit environment, and hidden gems like the pink streets of Pinellas Point and charming Driftwood neighborhood. Thus, South St. Pete should not be dismissed outright, as the community has made significant progress over the last five years.
Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg: Low Crime
If you’re seeking Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg, there are numerous options to explore. Whether you prefer bustling neighborhoods with abundant activities or peaceful, family-friendly environments, there is something for everyone. The following are some of the top St. Petersburg neighborhoods to consider:
- Shore Acres: This island community on the east coast of Pinellas County is ideal for families. It boasts low crime rates and amenities such as the Shore Acres Recreation Center.
- Disston Heights: With nearly 40,000 residents, Disston Heights is a safe and affordable option in St. Petersburg. It features a range of housing options and a significant population of children and teenagers.
- Allendale: This desirable neighborhood is one of the safest in St. Petersburg. Its upscale homes and brick streets nestled beneath large trees create a beautiful and peaceful environment.
- Downtown: While crime is reported in downtown St. Petersburg, residents generally feel secure thanks to the abundance of upscale condo living, secure parking, and building security.
- Snell Isle: Established in 1925, this expansive community includes hundreds of homes with direct access to the water and trails.
- Tierra Verde: This census-designated place is often considered a neighborhood of St. Petersburg. It features pristine beaches and trails lined with upscale homes.
Safest neighborhoods St Petersburg FL Graph Homicides
Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg: Tips for Staying Safe
To avoid becoming a victim of crime in St. Petersburg, it’s important to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings, especially in tourist areas and beach communities where person crimes, auto theft, and car break-ins are more prevalent. Installing window locks, locking your doors at night, and adding exterior lighting to your yard can also reduce the risk of burglary.
Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg: High-Crime Areas
Most crime in St. Petersburg occurs in the neighborhoods to the south and west of downtown, with Central Avenue serving as the main street dividing the city. Areas a few blocks north of this street tend to have lower crime rates. The general vicinity surrounding Central Avenue and I-275 is the center of the high-crime area of St. Petersburg.
Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg: Crime Rate Information
Although St. Petersburg, FL was recently ranked as the 91st most dangerous city in the U.S. and the 10th most dangerous in the state, the city is generally safe outside of a few areas. The overall crime rate in St. Petersburg is 3,927 total crimes per 100,000 people, with a violent crime rate of 624 violent crimes per 100,000 people.
Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg: Where to Stay Safe
If you’re looking for Safest Neighborhoods St Petersburg, consider Shore Acres, Disston Heights, Allendale, Downtown (despite a few reported crimes), Snell Isle, Live Oaks, Crescent Lake, Historic Kenwood, Old Northeast, Lake Pasadena, and Tierra Verde. These areas are generally known for their low crime rates and are great options for families or those seeking a peaceful community. For up to date crime info visit the St Petersburg Police Department website.
