If you are thinking about visiting Fort Myers and have some qualms about the safety of the city, we got you covered.
We are going to deep dive into the statistics, look at some maps, graphs and talk to the residents of the city to give you a better understanding of how safe Fort Myers really is.
Is Fort Myers, Florida Safe To Visit?
Statistically speaking, Fort Myers is a safe place to visit. In 2020, Fort Myers had a violent crime rate of 540.54 per 100,000 people. It’s violent crime rate is 1.4x greater than the national average and is on par with cities like Portland, Seattle and Fort Worth.
Here’s a scale to give you some perspective on Fort Myers’s violent crime rate:
Fort Myers, Florida Crime Stats
Here’s a breakdown of all the crimes in the city for 2020 compared to 2019:
In 2020 Fort Myers reported 467 violent crimes and had a violent crime rate of 540.54 per 100,000 people.
The national average for violent crime is 398.5 per 100,000 residents. Fort Myers’s violent crime rate is 1.4x greater than the national average.
Fort Myers’s violent crime rate is 1.4x greater than the state average.
Year over year violent crime has decreased by 4%.
Violent crime is at its lowest level in 30 years.
Here’s a map showing you how violent crime has trended in Fort Myers over a 30 year period.
Fort Myers’s violent crime peaked in 1992 when there was 1,539 violent crimes reported and had a violent crime rate of 3382.42 per 100,000 people.
Violent crime has decreased by 70% from it’s peak in 1992.
*Violent crimes include; homicides, rape, robbery and aggravated assaults and the violent crime rate is calculated by dividing the number of reported crimes by the total population; the result is multiplied by 100,000.
Fort Myers’s Property Crime Stats
In 2020 Fort Myers reported 1,699 property crimes and had a property crime rate of 1,966.55 per 100,000 people.
The national average for property crime is 1958.2 per 100,000 residents. Fort Myers’s property crime rate is roughly equal to the national average.
Fort Myers’s property crime rate is roughly 11% greater than the state average.
Year over year property crime in Fort Myers has decreased by 15%.
Fort Myers property crime rate is similar to Irvine, New York and Santa Clara.
Property crime is at its lowest level in 30 years.
Here’s a map showing you how property crime has trended in Fort Myers over a 30 year period.
Property crime peaked in 1993 when there were 6,473 property crimes reported and the city had a property crime rate of roughly 13,772.34 per 100,000 people.
Property crime has decreased 74% from it’s 30-year high in 1993.
*Property crimes include; burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson and property crime rate is calculated by dividing the number of reported crimes by the total population; the result is multiplied by 100,000.
Fort Myers’s Murder Stats
In 2020, Fort Myers reported 9 homicides and had a homicide rate of 10.42 per 100,000 people.
Fort Myers’s homicide rate is 1.6x greater than the national average and 1.8x greater than the state average.
Fort Myers has a similar homicide rate to cities like Phoenix, Charlotte and Minneapolis.
Here’s a map showing you how homicides has trended in Fort Myers over a 30 year period.
Homicides in Fort Myers peaked in 2012 when 24 homicides were reported and had a homicide rate of 36.52 per 100,000 people.
Here’s a map showing you all the homicides in Fort Myers from Jan 1, 2021 – Jan 1, 2022
Fort Myers, Florida vs The Most Dangerous Cities in the United States
Here’s a list of the top 18 most dangerous cities in the United States ranked by violent crime rates. Fort Myers’s violent crime rate is 4.5x less than Memphis, the most dangerous city on the list.
Downtown Fort Myers is generally a very safe area to visit. At night we recommend that you take some precautions in regards to staying in well populated places, not straying off the beaten path and not walking by yourself at night.
Is Fort Myers Beach Safe?
Fort Myers Beach is generally a very safe area to visit. It’s one of the main tourist attractions in Fort Myers, so safety is a top priority there.
While you’re unlikely to see any violent crime, it’s popularity means it can be a haven for petty crime. Pick-pocketing and theft does occur, so always be alert of your belongings.
Is Fort Myers, Florida safe from hurricanes?
Fort Myers is susceptible to hurricanes due to its location on the coast and is something you have to take into consideration when visiting.
According to FEMA, Fort Myers has been affected or brushed by a hurricane or tropical storm approximately once every 3 years.
Hurricane Irma in 2017 is the most recent hurricane to hit the Fort Myers area. It produced 150mph winds and caused more than $64 billion in damages.
Hurricane season in Fort Myers officially runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. The peak of hurricane season is mid-August to mid-October.
It should be noted that hurricane season does not mean a hurricanes will occurr. They are still rare events and it just means that it is highly unusual for any hurricane to occur OUTSIDE of hurricane season.
Is it safe to visit Fort Myers during hurricane season?
It is safe to visit Fort Myers during hurricane season, as long as you don’t visit when a hurricane is about to hit! Fortunately there is usually adequate warning when a hurricane is brewing in the area.
Fort Myers is not completely safe from tornadoes and is susceptible to them.
On January 16, 2022, an EF2 tornado hit the Fort Myers area and brought 118 mph winds to several communities. This was the first tornado to hit the area since 2016.
The public transportation system in Fort Myers is handled by LeeTran and it offers 22 routes that interweave throughout Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and its beaches.
It is generally safe during commuting hours (8am – 6pm), however we do not recommend that you take the bus at night. You should opt for a taxi or ride sharing service instead.
What do residents of Fort Myers say about it’s safety?
"Avoid anything around Pine Manor or Lehigh Acres."
"The worst areas of Fort Myers are better than the norm in Philly or Detroit."
"I’ve been going down to Fort Myers Beach since the 80s and never felt scared or threatened."
"North Fort Myers is also known as the hillbilly cousin because it’s more rural with trailer parks and horse pastures."
Is Fort Myers safe for women?
Fort Myers is generally safe for female solo travelers as long as you learn the layout of the city, avoid problem areas, stay in well lit/well populated areas and avoid walking by yourself at night.
Is Fort Myers safe at night?
Fort Myers is safe at night as long as you stay away from the sketchy neighborhoods mentioned above. You should be able to mitigate your chances of being a victim if you study the layout of the city and avoid areas where crime is high.
Streets and squares that are perfectly safe in the day can be questionable at night. Stay where the tourists go during the day and avoid any places that are outside normal pedestrian areas at night.
Tips to stay safe while visiting Fort Myers, Florida
Check the weather forecast before you arrive. Make sure you are not arriving when there is a hurricane about to touch down on the city.
Research the city before you arrive. Learn which areas to avoid and book your accommodations accordingly
Always be aware of your surroundings. It’s easy to let your guard down but you should always maintain a level of awareness wherever you are.
Always be aware of your belongings. Don’t leave things unattended.
Don’t walk around alone at night, especially if you are a woman. Use a ride sharing service to get to your location. Avoid using public transportation at night.
Always keep an eye on your drink. Never accept drink from strangers.
Things To Do In Fort Myers According To Locals
Gulf Coast Kayaking – Kayak around the backbays of Pine Island. Often times you can see dolphins and manatees.
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