Fort Walton Beach, FL Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 39% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Fort Walton Beach Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
Fort Walton Beach has a crime rate that is 8% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 276.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 276
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
5% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 44
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
23% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Fort Walton Beach Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
96 | -4% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
96 | -4% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
97 | -3% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
82 | -18% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
102 | +2% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
119 | +19% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
99 | -1% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Fort Walton Beach Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Fort Walton Beach Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Fort Walton Beach zip codes.
Fort Walton Beach Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Fort Walton Beach, FL?
Fort Walton Beach, FL has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 8% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 276 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 44 chance for property crime. Fort Walton Beach has lower crime than 39% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Fort Walton Beach, FL safe to live in?
Fort Walton Beach has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Fort Walton Beach is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Fort Walton Beach?
The estimated violent crime rate in Fort Walton Beach is 362.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 5% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 276 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.8 per 100K (4% below average); aggravated assault at 258.4 per 100K (4% below average); robbery at 71.8 per 100K (3% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Fort Walton Beach?
The estimated property crime rate in Fort Walton Beach is 2,259.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 23% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 44 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 274.1 per 100K (2% above average); larceny/theft at 1,669.7 per 100K (19% above average); vehicle theft at 315.5 per 100K (1% below average).
How does Fort Walton Beach crime compare to the national average?
Fort Walton Beach's overall crime rate is 8% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (19% above average), while rape is 18% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Fort Walton Beach has lower crime than 39% of them.
Is Fort Walton Beach safe to visit?
Visitors to Fort Walton Beach should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 23% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Fort Walton Beach crime compare to the rest of Florida?
Florida as a whole has crime that is 3% above the national average. Fort Walton Beach's crime rate is 8% below the national average, making it safer the typical Florida city.
What type of crime is most common in Fort Walton Beach?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Fort Walton Beach, with an estimated rate of 1,669.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 19% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,259 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (363 per 100K) in Fort Walton Beach, which is consistent with national trends.