Florida is known for its sunny beaches, theme parks, and diverse culture. But it also has a dark side: some of the highest crime rates in the nation. In this article, we will reveal which county in Florida has the most murders per capita, and why you might be surprised by the answer.
What is the murder capital of Florida?
The murder capital of a state is the county or city that has the highest number of murders per 100,000 people. This is a common way to measure and compare the homicide rates of different places, since it accounts for the population size.
According to the FBI’s 2020 data, the murder capital of Florida is Duval County, with 14.5 murders per 100,000 population. Duval County, which includes the city of Jacksonville, had 140 murders in 2020, the most of any county in the state.
Why is Duval County the murder capital of Florida?
There is no definitive answer to why Duval County has such a high murder rate, but there are some possible factors that could contribute to it. Some of these are:
Poverty: Duval County has a poverty rate of 15.4%, higher than the state average of 13.4%. Poverty is often associated with higher levels of crime, violence, and social problems.
Gangs: Duval County has a significant presence of gangs, especially in the urban areas of Jacksonville. Gangs are involved in drug trafficking, turf wars, and retaliatory violence, which can lead to fatal shootings and stabbings.
Guns: Duval County has a high rate of gun ownership and gun violence. In 2020, there were 1,038 firearm-related incidents in Duval County, resulting in 191 deaths and 847 injuries. Florida also has lenient gun laws, such as the “stand your ground” law, which allows people to use deadly force in self-defense without retreating.
Lack of resources: Duval County has a shortage of resources and programs to prevent and address the root causes of violence, such as mental health, education, employment, and community engagement. The county also has a low ratio of police officers to residents, which can affect the response time and effectiveness of law enforcement.
How does Duval County compare to other counties in Florida?
Duval County is not the only county in Florida with a high murder rate. In fact, there are several other counties that have higher murder rates per capita than the national average of 5.8. Here are the top 10 counties in Florida with the highest murder rates per 100,000 population in 2020:
County | Murder Rate |
---|---|
Duval | 14.5 |
Gadsden | 13.9 |
Madison | 13.6 |
Leon | 12.9 |
Miami-Dade | 11.9 |
Escambia | 11.8 |
Palm Beach | 11.7 |
Broward | 11.6 |
Orange | 11.4 |
Bay | 10.9 |
As you can see, Duval County is not alone in having a high murder rate. Some of the other counties on the list are also among the most populous and urbanized in the state, such as Miami-Dade, Broward, and Orange. These counties also face similar challenges as Duval County, such as poverty, gangs, guns, and lack of resources.
Conclusion
Duval County is the murder capital of Florida, with 14.5 murders per 100,000 population in 2020. This is more than twice the national average, and the highest of any county in the state. Duval County’s high murder rate is likely influenced by a combination of factors, such as poverty, gangs, guns, and lack of resources.
Duval County is not the only county in Florida with a high murder rate, however. There are several other counties that have higher murder rates per capita than the national average, especially in the urban areas of the state. These counties also face similar challenges as Duval County, and need more support and intervention to reduce the violence and save lives.