Is Key West Safe For Travelers In 2023?

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Is Key West Safe For Visitors?

When you think of the beautiful white sand beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and swaying palm trees in Florida, Key West, the state’s southernmost city, might just be the place that you’re imagining.

It’s popular for many reasons, and features so many different activities for visitors to check out and enjoy during a visit.

From snorkeling to boating, relaxing on the beach, and dining at local restaurants.

Key West tends to be a pretty safe location, being that the crime rate in the Florida Keys is lower than the state average.

When compared to other large cities in Florida, such as Orlando and Tampa, Key West has a much lower crime rate.

In fact, according to Neighborhood Scout, Key West is safer than 21% of neighborhoods in the United States.

Luckily, the chances of being a victim of property crime are much higher than that of being a victim of violent crime.

The most common crimes are larceny and burglary.

As with any other city, there are safer areas and more dangerous neighborhoods, so you’ll still need to be cautious and aware of your surroundings.

Another thing to be aware of when traveling to Key West is when hurricane season is.

This season runs from June to November. Be sure that you know what to do in the event of major hurricanes, and maybe try visiting outside of the summer months.

But in general, Key West is a very safe place and is a great spot for travelers of Florida to enjoy the sunshine and beach!

Is Key West Safe For Families?

Key West is a very popular destination for families traveling to Florida.

Because of its easy access to family-friendly activities like snorkeling, and swimming, you’ll often find lots of families with kids.

But, safety is often seen as even more important when you have kids with you than when you don’t. 

When looking at the overall area of Key West, it is safe for families, especially since it has a low crime rate and most residents feel safe living here.

Check out the parks, public beaches, like Smathers Beach, nature preserves, the Key West Aquarium, and tours for some of the safest and most family-friendly areas around Key West.

It’s also great to note that all of the most popular activities are found in one area along the western coast, and it’s easy to have a good time with your family in the safe areas of Key West.

Is Key West Safe For Solo Travelers?

When compared to other major cities in Florida, Key West is definitely one of the safest for solo travelers.

Thanks to its low crime rate, Key West is safer for traveling alone.

The city also sees a lot of tourists, so there are many areas where you’ll find well-lit streets that make walking and getting around alone much easier.

Most of the top activities, like sunset cruises, water sports, and visiting sandy beaches are all found in popular, well-trafficked areas, so you can explore Key West alone without having to go too far off the beaten path.

And there are lots of activities to keep you busy, even if you don’t have anyone else to do them with.

There are all sorts of day tours like snorkeling and fishing that you can take part in to avoid being alone if you’d rather go out with other people.

Is Key West Safe At Night?

Many travelers have felt safe while traveling around Key West at night, but of course, as with any other city, you do need to use more caution after dark.

Key West has a lower crime rate than other areas of Florida, but that doesn’t mean that crime is impossible.

You may still become a victim of crime if you aren’t using caution.

The area that visitors have seen the most issues with is Bahama Village.

For the least chance of getting in harm’s way, stick to the areas around Historic Seaport, Duval Street, and Mallory Square.

These tend to be the safest, during the day and at night.

The best way to stay safe after dark is to avoid walking alone, always traveling in well-lit and well-trafficked areas, such as the Downtown area, and letting a loved one know where you’ll be.

But in general, Key West does tend to be safer than other Florida cities.

What Part Of Key West Is The Riskiest Or Most Dangerous?

Luckily, the entire area around Key West is pretty safe, and you don’t have to worry too much about there being crime.

But, like anywhere else, it’s still important to use caution.

There aren’t too many places that you should really avoid, since there isn’t a lot of concentrated crime in Key West.

The best way to stay safe is to just be aware of your surroundings, avoid going out alone at night, and walk in well-lit areas.

However, if you are really nervous about wandering into risky areas, many travelers have felt the most unsafe in Bahama Village.

This is a neighborhood located in Western Key West and tends to see a bit more crime than other areas.

It’s nothing crazy, and most people do feel safe here. But it’s best to use a bit more caution when you’re in the area.

Luckily, in recent years, more restaurants and shops have opened up here, giving it a more touristy feel.

It’s also given visitors a better sense of safety.

What Part Of Key West Is The Safest?

Since Key West has a low crime rate compared to the rest of the state of Florida and there isn’t a whole lot of concentrated crime, it’s pretty safe to assume that most of the city is a great place for tourists to visit.

There isn’t really one neighborhood or location that is safer than another, but it’s best to stick to the well-lit and well-trafficked areas for the largest chance of safety.

More popular tourist areas such as where you’ll find museums, tours, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, and the beaches are great places that are often filled with people.

The busiest areas in Key West are the Historic Seaport and Duval Street.

These areas are where a lot of the activities are going on, where you’ll find restaurants and shops, and where most tourists hang out.

Mallory Square is another of those places, located along the Gulf of Mexico in Downtown Key West, as well as Old Town.

Wandering around busy areas is an easy way to stay safe since there are so many people around.

In the Historic Seaport and Duval Street, you’ll also find lots of different adults-only hotels and places to stay, so you can stay in near all of the best things to do. 

Is Key West’s Crime Rate High?

When compared to the rest of Florida, Key West has a low crime rate. This makes it a great spot to visit for families and solo travelers in particular.

The most common crimes seen here are larceny and burglary, and violent crime is much less common than property crime.

The crime rate is about 20.55 total crimes per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the state average as well as many of the other popular cities in Florida.

For example, Orlando’s crime rate is 43.66 crimes per 1,000 residents, so Key West has a crime rate of about half that of Orlando.

The rate for property crimes is about 16.44 crimes per 1,000 residents, while the violent crime rate of Key West is only 4.11 total crimes per 1,000 residents.

This gives many travelers peace of mind since it can be scary to travel somewhere that has a high rate of violent crime.

We can also compare the crime rate of Key West to the rest of the continental United States.

The crime rate in the country is closer to 50 crimes per 1,000 people.

Again, property crimes are the most common, but the national average has a higher risk of violent crimes than just Key West does.

Most residents of Key West feel safe there, which is good news for travelers. If residents feel safe, it’s more likely that travelers will feel safe too!

Their local law enforcement has also been said to be great.

Is Key West Safe – Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Safest Florida Key?

There are over 800 keys in the Florida Keys, but the safest areas are often seen to be the Marathon Islands and Key West.

Others include Key Largo, Big Pine Key, and Islamorada.

Although, the Florida Keys don’t see a lot of crime and most of the small islands are considered pretty safe.

Is It Worth Staying In Key West?

Yes, Key West is worth visiting. It has plenty of great tourist activities within easy access like snorkeling, taking a scenic drive, watching for marine life, and fishing.

It’s a great way to be in the center of the action in Florida, and is just beautiful!

How Can We Stay Safe In Key West?

Stay safe in the Florida Keys and Key West by following common sense safety practices.

This includes avoiding walking alone at night, locking your hotel room door, staying in safe neighborhoods, sticking with a group, and letting someone know where you are.

Is Key West Safe For Families?

Yes, Key West is safe for families. It has plenty to do, many safe neighborhoods to stay in, and a low crime rate.

Wrap-Up: Is Key West Safe?

If you’re planning a Key West vacation, considering the safety of the area is very important.

Luckily, Key West has a low crime rate, plenty of safe neighborhoods, and lots to do for visitors.

There isn’t a lot of crime here, and most neighborhoods around the city are great for tourists to visit.

It’s a great spot to plan a trip, whether you’re a solo traveler, traveling with kids, or are just planning a group trip with friends.

Key West, Florida is safe, but be sure to take common sense precautions during your visit, and always be aware of your surroundings. 

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