Crime and the United States are quickly becoming synonymous. Between 2020 and 2021, data from the State of the Union shows that firearm deaths per 100,000 people rose from 13.7 to 14.8. Do you live in one of the most dangerous American cities?
Understanding the Statics
The data pulled is based on the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Rates of property and violent crimes were factored into determining the city rankings based on estimated populations. We focus on these cities’ 2023 violent crime numbers.
1. Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis has a violent crime rate of 20.71 per 1,000 people. Gang wars, gun violence, and homicides are some of the leading causes of crime.
2. Detroit, Michigan
Detroit’s violent crime rate is barely better than Memphis, with 20.03 cases of violent crime per 1,000 people.
3. Little Rock, Arkansas
Despite being two-thirds less populated than Memphis and Detroit, Little Rock has a massive violent crime rate of 18.15 per 1,000 people.
4. Pueblo, Colorado
Translating to “town” in English, Pueblo isn’t as innocent as it sounds. Pueblo’s violent crime rate is 16 per 1,000 people.
5. Tacoma, Washington
Locals blame high property tax, gentrification, and a transient population for its high crime rate. Of every 1,000 people, 15.77 have experienced violent crimes.
6. Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City’s center is generally safe for tourists. However, much of the city has a poor reputation for violent crimes, with 14.37 happening per 1,000 people.
7. Rockford, Illinois
Some locals believe Rockford is stuck between a rock and a hard place, for they feel its location between Chicago and Milwaukee invites bad blood into its streets. Rockford’s violent crime rate is significant, with 14.16 crimes per 1,000 people.
8. St. Louis, Missouri
Poverty, drugs, police instability, and racial disparity are some causes of St. Louis’ high crime rate. The city suffers from 14.21 violent crimes per 1,000 people.
9. Cleveland, Ohio
The Forest City has a high poverty rate, contributing to crime. While Cleveland has many safe districts, serious crimes happen there, too, contributing to the 14.53 violent crime rate per 1,000 people.
10. Springfield, Missouri
Unemployment, a lack of mental health resources, and drugs contribute to Springfield’s outrageous crime numbers. Springfield has a violent crime rate of 13.38 per 1,000 people.
11. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Poor urban planning and relatively few economic opportunities land Albuquerque on this list of the most dangerous American cities. It has a violent crime rate of 13.05 per 1,000 people.
12. Lansing, Michigan
Lansing isn’t a huge city, making its crime hit even closer to home for locals. The city has a violent crime rate of 12.61 per 1,000 people.
13. Peoria, Illinois
Peoria has a heartbreakingly high number of murders, with East Peoria being the most crime-ridden area. It has a violent crime rate of 11.62 per 1,000 people.
14. Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore is notorious for high crime, sparked by high unemployment rates, drugs, and poor education. It has a violent crime rate of 12.07 per 1,000 people.
15. Stockton, California
Local gangs have taken over many streets in Stockton, making many districts unsafe. Stockton, which is near San Francisco, has a violent crime rate of 11.45 per 1,000 people.
16. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis has a lot of crime, although it tends to have higher property than violent crime. Nevertheless, it still has a bad violent crime rate of 11.95 per 1,000 people.
17. Dayton, Ohio
Dayton has higher than average murder rates for the United States. It has a violent crime rate of 11.56 per 1,000 people.
18. Chattanooga, Tennessee
Poverty-stricken communities, homelessness, and racism are some of the causes that give Chattanooga a violent crime rate of 11.35 per 1,000 people.
19. Aurora, Colorado
Aurora borders Denver to the east, an area tourists should avoid. It has a violent crime rate of 11.09 per 1,000 people.
20. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Drug trafficking and murders, among other crimes, place Milwaukee in 20th place on this list of the most dangerous U.S. cities. Milwaukee has a violent crime rate of 11.51 per 1,000 people.
21. Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Assault, murder, and property crime are all issues the city of Winston-Salem faces. It has a violent crime rate of 10.80 per 1,000 people.
22. South Fulton, Georgia
Motor vehicle theft, arson, and larceny are some safety-related issues South Fulton suffers from, which sits on the outskirts of Atlanta. It has a violent crime rate of 10.48 per 1,000 people.
23. Houston, Texas
Due in great part to its proximity to Mexico, much of Houston’s crime stems from drug trafficking and drug use. Houston has a violent crime rate of 11.14 per 1,000 people.
24. Lubbock, Texas
Not only does Lubbock deal with crime, but locals also have to worry about natural disasters like tornadoes and lightning strikes. Lubbock has a violent crime rate of 10.52 per 1,000 people.
25. Indianapolis, Indiana
Parts of Indianapolis have high crime, so tourists unfamiliar with the city should do their due diligence before arriving. Indianapolis has a violent crime rate of 10.25 per 1,000 people.
26. Denver, Colorado
Increasing poverty levels, drug use, and people on the street with mental health issues are some of the factors that make Denver among the most dangerous cities in America. Denver has a violent crime rate of 10.44 per 1,000 people.
27. Beaumont, Texas
Gangs and poverty are the driving forces of crime in Beaumont. The city has a violent crime rate of 10.07 per 1,000 people.
28. Metropolitan Nashville, Tennessee
High homicide rates and poverty make Metropolitan Nashville rife with crime. It has a violent crime rate of 10.09 per 1,000 people.
29. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the first city with a crime rate in the single digits on this list, though visitors should avoid districts like Nicetown-Tioga and Hunting Park. Philadelphia has a violent crime rate of 9.87 per 1,000 people.
30. Billings, Montana
Drug use runs high in Billings, making it a prime place in the U.S. for crime. The city has a violent crime rate of 9.08 per 1,000 people.
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This article was produced and syndicated by A Piece of Travel.
