A trip to the beach is supposed to be a joyous occasion. It’s a chance to go lay on the sand, spend time with family, read a book, and soak in the sun. The same goes for the towns surrounding them. Most are known for being peaceful getaways where the locals are friendly, and life is easy. However, while this is often the case, not all beaches and beach towns are created equal. Some are downright scary and unfriendly. If you want to know the vacation destinations to avoid, we are here to help with this list of the most dangerous beach towns.
So, what makes a beach town so dangerous? In some cases, it’s that they’re simply too violent. Tourists visit beach towns around the country, and unfortunately, locals with bad intentions can take advantage of them. Many of the areas on this list are known for high numbers of murders, robberies, and assaults. For instance, one of the most dangerous beaches, Dewey Beach in Delaware, has a violent crime rate of 96.7, compared to the national average of 22.7. There are also other reasons why these areas are scary. As an example, one of them, North Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, is known for shark attacks and the occasional hurricane.
Long story short, you should research where you’re going before you pay a visit. Prior to going on vacation, research the area online and look up the crime statistics. Be prepared so you can do what is best for you and your family. If you want to get ahead of the game and learn about places that are definitely safe, then check out this list of the best cities to go on vacation with your kids.
To determine the most dangerous beach towns, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on crime incidents from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting program. Cities were ranked based on the number of reported violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2022. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Only cities on the Atlantic, Pacific, or Gulf Coasts where at least 10% of housing stock is vacant for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use were considered. Supplemental data on median home value, population, and vacancy status for all housing units are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey and are five-year estimates.
25. Edgartown, Massachusetts
- Violent crime rate: 419.3 per 100,000 residents (23 total in 2022)
- Median home value: N/A
- Total population: 610
24. North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Violent crime rate: 447.5 per 100,000 residents (89 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $338,700
- Total population: 18,850
23. Bradenton, Florida
- Violent crime rate: 452.8 per 100,000 residents (255 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $252,400
- Total population: 55,795
22. Barnstable Town, Massachusetts
- Violent crime rate: 463.4 per 100,000 residents (234 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $498,700
- Total population: 48,922
21. Carolina Beach, North Carolina
- Violent crime rate: 466.0 per 100,000 residents (31 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $442,300
- Total population: 6,583
20. Galveston, Texas
- Violent crime rate: 468.6 per 100,000 residents (248 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $258,300
- Total population: 53,265
19. Morro Bay, California
- Violent crime rate: 508.9 per 100,000 residents (55 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $802,700
- Total population: 10,766
18. Sea Isle City, New Jersey
- Violent crime rate: 515.2 per 100,000 residents (11 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $903,100
- Total population: 2,047
17. Fort Pierce, Florida
- Violent crime rate: 544.0 per 100,000 residents (264 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $191,200
- Total population: 47,153
16. Malibu, California
- Violent crime rate: 577.0 per 100,000 residents (59 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $2,000,000
- Total population: 10,698
15. Avalon, California
- Violent crime rate: 605.5 per 100,000 residents (20 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $978,100
- Total population: 3,441
14. Long Beach, Washington
- Violent crime rate: 627.9 per 100,000 residents (11 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $308,700
- Total population: 1,831
13. Port Aransas, Texas
- Violent crime rate: 639.1 per 100,000 residents (21 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $462,600
- Total population: 3,072
12. Sarasota, Florida
- Violent crime rate: 659.1 per 100,000 residents (365 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $372,000
- Total population: 55,508
11. Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
- Violent crime rate: 689.9 per 100,000 residents (39 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $783,700
- Total population: 1,521
10. Riviera Beach, Florida
- Violent crime rate: 894.8 per 100,000 residents (345 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $281,300
- Total population: 37,668
9. Seaside Heights, New Jersey
- Violent crime rate: 917.4 per 100,000 residents (23 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $372,900
- Total population: 2,027
8. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Violent crime rate: 1012.7 per 100,000 residents (386 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $287,900
- Total population: 36,064
7. Miami Beach, Florida
- Violent crime rate: 1074.3 per 100,000 residents (849 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $532,300
- Total population: 82,400
6. Wildwood, New Jersey
- Violent crime rate: 1077.4 per 100,000 residents (55 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $323,000
- Total population: 5,164
5. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
- Violent crime rate: 1092.4 per 100,000 residents (13 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $1,230,700
- Total population: 1,357
4. Pismo Beach, California
- Violent crime rate: 1185.3 per 100,000 residents (95 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $943,700
- Total population: 8,050
3. South Padre Island, Texas
- Violent crime rate: 1562.5 per 100,000 residents (32 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $389,400
- Total population: 2,386
2. Ocean City, Maryland
- Violent crime rate: 1854.2 per 100,000 residents (129 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $333,200
- Total population: 6,879
1. Dewey Beach, Delaware
- Violent crime rate: 3906.3 per 100,000 residents (15 total in 2022)
- Median home value: $812,500
- Total population: 359