Florida’s West Palm Beach is a well-liked vacation and local destination because of its pleasant weather, gorgeous beaches, and varied cultural attractions. It’s crucial to remember, though, that not every part of the city is equally peaceful and safe.
There are certain West Palm Beach communities that may be dangerous for both locals and visitors due to high rates of violent and property crimes.
Here are five neighborhoods that have been classified as especially dangerous in terms of crime rates per 100,000 people, based on a variety of sources and statistics.
1. North Tamarind
North Tamarind is a neighborhood close to the intersection of Tamarind Avenue and Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard in the northwest section of the city. There are about 2,000 persons living there, the bulk of them being low-income African Americans.
With 1,186 violent offenses per 100,000 residents, North Tamarind has a high rate of violent crime, according to AreaVibes. This rate is 224% greater than the national average and 56% higher than the average for West Palm Beach.
The most frequent violent crime categories in this region are murder, assault, and robbery. Furthermore, North Tamarind has 6,057 property crimes for every 100,000 residents, a much higher rate than the national average.
Compared to the national average, this rate is 164% higher while the city average is 86% higher. Theft, car theft, and break-ins are the most common property crimes in this neighborhood.
2. Northwood Harbor
Situated near the shores of Lake Worth Lagoon, Northwood Harbor is a neighborhood in the northwest section of the city. There are about 600 people living there, most of them are Hispanic and Caucasian. Northwood Harbor is regarded by VanLife Wanderer as one of the riskiest communities in West Palm Beach because of its close proximity to prostitution and drug-related activities.
The neighborhood has 1,173 violent crime events per 100,000 residents, which is a high rate. This number is 221% higher than the national average and 54% higher than the average for West Palm Beach. The most common violent crime categories in this region are rape, robbery, and assault.
Northwood Harbor has a high percentage of property crime in addition to an alarming proportion of violent crime. This neighborhood has a property crime rate of 5,968 incidents per 100,000 people, which is 162% higher than the national average and 85% higher than the city average. Theft, break-in, and theft of motor vehicles are the most often reported property crimes.
3. Pinewood Park
The neighborhood of Pinewood Park is situated in the northeastern region of the city, close to the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Australian Avenue. There are about 2,800 people living there, most of them are African Americans with modest incomes.
Pinewood Park has a high violent crime rate (1,015 offenses per 100,000 residents), according to AreaVibes. This is 192% greater than the national average and 33% higher than the average for West Palm Beach.
The most frequent violent crimes in this region are murder, robbery, and assault. In addition, Pinewood Park has a high property crime rate—5,176 incidents per 100,000 residents. This exceeds both the national average of 140% and the local average by 73%. Theft, burglary, and car theft are the three most common property crimes in this area.
4. The Roosevelt Estates
Roosevelt Estates is a community in the western side of the city, close to the intersection of Haverhill Road and Okeechobee Boulevard. There are roughly 2,000 people living there, most of whom being low-income and African American individuals.
With 2,793 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, Roosevelt Estates has a high rate of violent crime, according to AreaVibes. This rate is 533% greater than the national average and 267% higher than the West Palm Beach average. The most frequent violent crime categories in this region are murder, robbery, and assault.
Furthermore, Roosevelt Estates has a high rate of property crime, with 8,021 crimes committed for every 100,000 residents. This rate is higher than both the national and city averages by 114% and 217%, respectively. In this neighborhood, car theft, theft, and burglary are the most common property crimes.
5. Palm Beach Lakes
In the heart of the city, near the intersection of Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard and Interstate 95, is the neighborhood known as Palm Beach Lakes. There are about 3,300 people living there, most of whom are African Americans and low-income persons. With 2,572 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, Palm Beach Lakes has a high rate of violent crime, according to AreaVibes.
This rate is 491% greater than the national average and 238% higher than the West Palm Beach average. Robbery, assault, and murder are the violent crimes that happen here the most frequently.
In addition, Palm Beach Lakes has a high rate of property crimes—7,744 incidents for every 100,000 residents. Compared to the national average, this rate is 209% higher while the city average is 110% higher. Theft, burglary, and auto theft are the three most common property crimes in this community.
In summary
While West Palm Beach has a lot to offer in terms of chances and attractions, there are also a lot of risks and hazards to be aware of. Some communities have higher rates of crime and violence than others, so you should be cautious or stay away from them completely.
Based on the data and sources I’ve found, the aforementioned five neighborhoods rank among the most dangerous in the city. However, this does not mean that any other neighborhood is completely safe or that certain regions cannot be saved.
There may be benevolent people and organizations in these areas, as well as continuous attempts and endeavors to improve safety and general quality of life. Therefore, before visiting or relocating to any West Palm Beach community, it is imperative that you use your own judgment and do your own research.