According to Friday Night Science, Fort Meade, and Opa-Locka will be the worst places to live in Florida in 2024. Florida gets a lot of abuse. Not just from people who live there, but also from people outside of the city, the media, and social media.
We’re not here to argue about how great Florida is. From our point of view, it’s a nice, warm place that looks great almost all year. That being said, this list should be useful for people who are thinking about moving to Florida or going to the Sunshine State.
Here are the worst places in Florida that you should never go to:
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1. Fort Meade
- Population: 5,133
- Average Home Price: $219,967
- Median Income: $34,474
- Unemployment Rate: 9.2%
- Crime Per Capita: 0.0325
Fort Meade is in Polk County, Florida, and has a bad reputation for being one of the worst places to live in the state. One of the main reasons for this label is that there is a lot of crime in the area. The serious crime rate is 0.006137951990276512 per 1,000 residents, and the property crime rate is 0.026314190215739896 per 1,000 residents.
This means that safety is a big worry for the people who live here. Fort Meade has a low median income and a lot of poor people. The average income in this city is $34,474, which is more than the average income in the state. This means that a lot of people in the area are having a hard time paying for simple things. Also, the jobless rate is 9.2%, which makes it hard for people to find stable jobs.
Even with these problems, it’s important to remember that Fort Meade could get better if everyone worked together. For its residents, the city can work to make things safer and better by focusing on neighborhood development projects and putting in place thorough crime prevention plans.
2. Opa-Locka
- Population: 16,230
- Average Home Price: $356,499
- Median Income: $30,101
- Unemployment Rate: 5.2%
- Crime Per Capita: 0.1906
Look, we didn’t label Opa Locka one of Miami’s worst suburbs for no reason. Opa Locka, with its fast food restaurants, Kmart, Big Lots, and numerous petrol stations, is not everyone’s idea of an aesthetically beautiful location to live.
In 2022, the city had the second-highest total crime rate in Florida, which makes sense given its poverty rate of more over 40%. The typical family income of $30,101 is the second lowest in Florida.
If Opa Locka has one saving virtue, it is its proximity to Miami, which means that attractions such as Dolphin Mall and Zoo Miami are only a short drive away.
3. Sebring
- Population: 11,006
- Average Home Price: $237,729
- Median Income: $38,024
- Unemployment Rate: 12.7%
- Crime Per Capita: 0.0425
Regrettably, Sebring, located in Highlands County, Florida, is ranked the sixth most unattractive site to reside within the state. The high crime rate is a significant determinant in this classification, rendering the area a perilous place to reside. Residents encounter daily safety concerns due to the property crime rate of 0.035344357623114664 and the violent crime rate of 0.007177902962020716 per capita. Additional challenges faced by the municipality include destitution and unemployment, as evidenced by its 12.7% unemployment rate and $38,024 median income. Collectively, these elements contribute to the deplorable living conditions in Sebring.
In Sebring, progress is possible notwithstanding its difficulties. By confronting fundamental challenges such as unemployment and destitution, the municipality can strive towards establishing a more secure and prosperous locality for its inhabitants. Furthermore, the geographical positioning of Sebring in south-central Florida presents prospects for economic expansion and progress. By strategically allocating resources and undertaking appropriate initiatives, Sebring possesses the potential to undergo substantial improvement as a residential community.
4. Belle Glade
- Population: 16,896
- Average Home Price: $256,880
- Median Income: $42,314
- Unemployment Rate: 12.5%
- Crime Per Capita: 0.0366
In 2015, the PBS documentary “Murder of a Small Town” provided coverage of Belle Glade. It dealt with the recent decline of the city, which was characterized by high unemployment, crime, and drug use, all of which contributed to Belle Glade becoming the fifth worst place in Florida. The decline in Belle Glade’s population, workforce, median household income, and median property values is to be expected given the current state of affairs. And further compounding already dire circumstances is the fact that Belle Glade’s median household income is $42,314, which ranks sixteenth in Florida.
With a high school graduation rate of 4th highest in Florida and an unemployment rate of 12.5% that ranks fifth worst in the state, Belle Glade is not exactly positioning itself for future success.
5. Quincy
- Population: 7,811
- Average Home Price: $155,529
- Median Income: $33,786
- Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
- Crime Per Capita: 0.0434
Unfortunately, Quincy, which is recognized as one of the most unfavorable locations to reside in Florida, is also among the most perilous. Safety becomes a substantial concern for residents due to the crime rate, which exceeds the state average by 0.007041351939572398 for violent crimes and 0.036358980924337474 for property crimes per capita. A significant portion of the population in Quincy, whose median income is a meager $33,786 per month, struggles to make ends meet due to the precarious poverty level. This economic disparity hinders the community’s ability to flourish and contributes to the crime problem.
Quincy is geographically located in Gadsden County, approximately 25 miles to the northwest of Tallahassee. Although it may provide certain benefits, the proximity to the state capital of Quincy does little to alleviate the difficulties encountered by its inhabitants. However, through investment in community development and concerted efforts, there is hope for progress. By effectively tackling the underlying factors contributing to crime and poverty, Quincy could potentially experience a significant economic and social uplift, thereby improving its overall quality of life in Florida.
Conclusion
Fort Meade, Opa-Locka, Sebring, Belle Glade, and Quincy will be among Florida’s least popular towns in 2024. These areas, which are characterized by high crime rates, unemployment, and poverty, have issues that affect safety, economic stability, and general livability. While each community has its own set of difficulties, collaborative efforts such as neighborhood development projects and crime prevention strategies provide hope for progress. Prospective residents should think carefully about these aspects before relocating to these places.